Page 16 of All That Glitters

“This is about Jameson?” she asks gently.

I nod.

“Do you want to talk about it? We can wait until we get home if that’s better,” Jasmine suggests.

“For the record, I won’t say anything,” Shepherd says as he starts to back out of the parking spot. “Also, I can fight him if you want. He’s big, but I think I could take him.”

I laugh and swipe at my tears.

“I don’t know that I would offer something like that without seeing him fight.”

“For one of Jasmine’s friends, I’d do it.” Shepherd gives a determined nod.

“If anyone is fighting him, it’s me,” I say with a sigh. “Though I’m running out of energy to do it.”

“There’s this thing called sleep,” Jasmine says meaningfully. “You should try it.”

“I sleep.” My tone is half defensive, half in jest. “Just not the recommended amount.”

Jasmine shakes her head while Shepherd chuckles.

“Back to the subject, what happened? Did he say something to hurt you?” she asks.

I look down, fiddling with my notebook.

“He just brought up some things from the past. He wants to talk, but I don’t. His actions said plenty when he stole the internship.”

Jasmine hums. I watch her meet Shepherd’s eyes in the rearview mirror.

“Don’t even try to give me some lecture about how you two had to learn to communicate. It’s different,” I insist, which only makes me think of my conversation with Jameson.

“I didn’t say anything,” Jasmine replies.

“You didn’t have to,” I grumble, making her laugh.

She throws an arm around me. “I won’t say anything. Just know we’re on your side, and if you do ever try talking to him, we’ll be here no matter how it goes.”

“Thanks, Jaz.” I look at Shepherd. “You too, Shep.”

“Let me know if you ever want to take me up on my offer to fight him.”

Jasmine reaches up and hits his shoulder.

“What is with you wanting to fight people?” she asks with an exasperated tone.

Shepherd shrugs. “Football season is over. I need to get my aggression out somehow.”

“You’re a quarterback! You don’t hit people during the season.”

“I hit someone last season,” Shepherd points out. I can see part of his grin.

“That was a guy at a party,” Jasmine replies incredulously.

I laugh at the memory. Some creep was harassing us at a party last year, and Shepherd punched him, then forced him to leave. It was awesome.

“No fighting people,” Jasmine commands. “I don’t need you getting hurt. I worry enough while you’re on the field.”

“Don’t worry about me, Chef. I’m untouchable.”