Page 50 of On the Bright Side
I shiver as Jackson raises a hand to graze my cheek. I pull him even closer, standing on my toes. He sways, but I hold on to him.
Almost inadvertently, I pull my head back for a second to peek a glance down the field, unable to resist the satisfaction I’d have seeing Cody standing there in shock.
I hardly locate my ex before leaning back into Jackson again, but his eyes are now open. He steps back and can’t let go of me fast enough. He dips his head and latches onto the rail, gripping it tight. He noticed me looking toward the football players. While we were kissing.Shit.
“I—” How do I fix this?
Cody waves his arms for my attention. “Wow, really nice. Sucks to be him.”
“Nice?” Jackson asks, having recognized one of the signs Cody just used. The color drains from his face. “So that’s—” He looks from me to Cody. “Of course,” he mutters through gritted teeth, rushing away down the aisle, turning into the stadium concourse.
I run around the corner after Jackson. I’ve really screwed this up.
And for what?
Chapter Twenty-four
Jackson
I can’t ignorethe dizzy sensation anymore. It’s violently taking over me.
I don’t know exactly what makes it escalate from an off-kilter feeling to an inability to stand. Maybe it’s from moving too fast. I keep walking but stumble, having to catch myself on the rough concourse wall. Leaning back, I slide to the filthy ground, unable to coax my body to move any farther.
I’m sick, tired, and decidedlyused.
Everything needs to stop.
Is that why Ellie came this weekend? All because her ex was on the other team? If only I knew what she was signing furiously across the field. She kissed me just to get back at him. Is that all this has been? Am I just some distraction to her?
I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Okay, if I stay perfectly still,maybe this will all go away. But my head still sways ever so slightly, side to side, and I can’t stop it.
I shouldn’t have come on this trip. I could be home in bed right now, and none of this would’ve happened. This was supposed to be a way to make it up to Ellie for missing last weekend, but I guess she wasn’t really that bothered by it after all.
Her kiss took me by surprise since neither one of us had seemed to be enjoying the evening. But I didn’t want to question it. Ellie’s lips were so warm and soft. Inviting. Eager. Kissing her initially seemed like everything I’d hoped it would be.
But it wasn’t real.
At least, not for her.
“Jackson?”
Ellie’s nearby. Her voice is soft, cautious. She crouches down beside me. I don’t acknowledge her presence.
Why is this freaking happening again?
She’s speaking. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
I turn to the other side and cough, interrupting her. It takes everything in me to keep the chicken tenders down.
“Are you okay?”
“Mm-hmm,” I mumble, unwilling to unclench every muscle in my body. “I just need a moment.” By now she probably realizes that I’m not just sitting here to be dramatic about her and her ex. I couldn’t care less about that kiss anymore. I need to get out of here. Back to the hotel.
“Can you get up?” Ellie offers a hand. With no other choice, I accept but waver on my feet. She wraps an arm around me. “Do you need to see a doctor?”
I try to shake my head. A mistake. This is awful.
“Jackson, I think—”
