Chapter 15 - Josette
1142 Words
"What do you think?" I asked Riley, doing a quick spin so she could get the full effect.
"Damn, girl, you look yummy," she said, licking her lips dramatically. I laughed, feeling a bit self-conscious, but I was mostly excited. I was wearing a short black denim skirt paired with an oversized school jersey, a messy ponytail, and smoky, almost too dark eye makeup that I thought made me look a bit edgy and a little dangerous. It was Friday night, and the whole school was excited about the home game. I didn't really know a damn thing about soccer, but apparently, playing against Denver Falls was a huge deal.
Riley checked her phone for what felt like the hundredth time, her eyes lighting up each time. She was talking to Axel, who was playing in today's match, along with Evander. That's why I decided to come. He'd asked me to come check the game out, and I couldn't resist. Plus, Riley had been going on and on about how hot Evander and Axel looked on the field, and I had to see it for myself."Ready to go?" She asked, tucking her phone into her pocket. She was probably late for her pregame practice with the cheerleading squad. She grabbed her bag and checked my makeup one more time. Then we set off toward the stadium, where the sounds of cheers and music filled the air.
I found myself a seat near the front row, giving me a perfect view of the field. Riley gave me a thumbs up before running off to join the rest of the cheerleading squad.
Turns out she was right; the crowd erupted into a roar as Cedarville's Tigers took to the field. The noise was deafening and infectious. I found myself shouting and cheering along with the rest of the crowd. Soon, it was halftime, and the players went in to take a break. The cheerleaders took to the field for their dance routine, and the crowd roared once more.
After the game, I got swept up in the crowd and lost my bearings. I felt a hand on my shoulder and saw someone I didn't know."Are you okay?" He mouthed over the noise. He pulled me along until we reached an empty hallway. I pulled my arm free from his grasp and thanked him.
"You're welcome." He smiled. "Josette, right?"I nodded, a bit suspicious of how he knew my name.
"How did you…?" I trailed off.
"You're a bit of a celebrity around here." He said, his smile widening. "I'm Max, by the way." He held out his hand, and I hesitated for a moment before shaking it.
Feeling chilly, I wrapped my arms around myself. "Cold?" he asked, taking off his hoodie. I tried to decline, but he insisted. "Take it."I hesitated for a moment and then took the hoodie.
"Thank you." I said, pulling it over my head.
"Better?" I nodded.
"So where are you headed?"
"I'm just going to wait for my friends."
"Mind if I wait with you?"
"Sure, thanks."As he walked me to my car, I got to know the Max just moved into town with his family. He was a really funny guy. He'd made me laugh more times than I could count, and I was actually having fun.
We leaned against my car, chatting and laughing together. He was easy to talk to, and before I knew it, I'd started to feel comfortable around him.
I spotted Evander across the parking lot and waved him over. Max followed my gaze. "Is he your friend?" I nodded, smiling.
When Evander got to my car, I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a hug. "You played great tonight. Congratulations on the win."But he didn't smile. On the contrary, his jaw was clenched as he glared at Max.
"Who's that?"
I turned to look at Max, who stood there awkwardly. "This is Max; I just met him. Max, this is Evander." Max nodded, but Evander just glared at him.
"I'm going to go." Max said. "It was nice meeting you, Josette." He turned and swiftly walked away.
I turned to Evander. "What was that about?"
He wrapped his arm around my waist. "Nothing." But then he froze, his nose sniffing the air.
"What are you doing?"
"Whose hoodie is that?" His gaze was fixed on the hoodie I was wearing.
I looked down, realizing I was still wearing Max's hoodie. "Oh, it's...um... Max's."
"Take it off."
"What?"
"Take the f*****g hoodie off."I was taken aback by his reaction.
"I was cold, and he gave it to me." I pulled the hoodie over my head, and he took it and threw it on the ground.
"Evander," I exclaimed. "I still need to return it to him." I bent down to pick up the hoodie, but he picked me up and threw me over his shoulders.
"What are you doing?" I gasped, trying to squirm out of his hold. "Put me down, Evander." I demanded, my hair hanging down his back. He opened the passenger door of my car and tossed me inside.
I said nothing until he got behind the wheel and started the engine. "What the f**k, Evander?"He said nothing, his eyes fixed on the road.
I crossed my arms over my chest, pissed at his behavior. "You can't just manhandle me like that." I said, my voice tight with anger. "Why are you so mad? It's almost like you're jealous." I grumbled under my breath.
The car suddenly swerved as he slammed on the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road. He picked me up and pulled me onto his lap, straddling him. My hands gripped his shoulders as he laughed.
"Jealous?" He repeated. "I have no reason to be jealous of him." He leaned in, our faces inches apart. "If I wanted to, I'd have you." He whispered, his breath hot against my skin.
"But you can't." I swallowed. "We're just friends."
"Friends." He breathed.
"And friends don't get jealous." I whispered, my lips brushing against his. "Friends don't 'have' each other."
Yet here I was, straddling him in the front seat of my car, my legs on either side of his hips, our bodies pressed together. I could feel his arousal through the fabric of our clothes, and I unconsciously rubbed against him, seeking friction.
He groaned, his hands gripping my hips, holding me still. "f**k, Jo." He brushed his lips against mine in a teasing kiss, and I let out a whimper, my hips jerking.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer as I deepened the kiss. As our tongues slid against each other, I tasted the familiar taste of his lips, like burnt honey mixed with whiskey.
It suddenly dawned on me that friends shouldn't know each other's taste.
- Writer
