“Yeah, whatever you say, Ace.” I gathered my things and we walked out of the library, toward the gym where the tournament would be held.

“So, how good are you?”

I looked up at him. “Why?”

He opened the gym door for me and put his hand on my lower back, guiding me inside. I tried to ignore the currents of electricity that ran up and down my spine. “I want to know what my chances are of getting a burger.” He looked down. “I’m hungry.”

“I’m pretty good,” I said quietly. I didn’t add that I’d been on the chess team since fourth grade and was more than pretty good. In fact, there was only one person on the team better than I was—Tim, who was the team captain. I didn’t want to seem like I was bragging, but the chances of us getting a burger after the tournament where high… too high.

“I’ll bet you’re more than pretty good. I have a feeling you’re more than pretty good at whatever you do,” Brody murmured, his hand still on my back.

“Thanks. Ah, you sit on the bleachers. I have to go over there.” I pointed to the corner of the gym where the chess team had gathered. As I turned and walked away, his hand slipped from my back. My skin instantly felt cold from the loss of his touch, and I felt a prickle of disappointment I had no right feeling. “Oh, Brody?” I called over my shoulder.

“Yeah?”

“I forgot to tell you. We’re playing Stanton High.”

He grinned and winked at me. “In that case, I hope you slaughter ’em.”

“Hey, Willow, I was wondering where you were,” Tim said when he saw me walk up. “Here’s the assignment sheet.”

“Ugh, Paul? Really?”

“You can beat him.”

“I know I can beat him, that’s not that point. He’s just a sore loser. I have to listen to him whine through the whole game. It’s supposed to be a silent game, but he mumbles under his breath the entire time. I just want to reach across the table and shove his chess pieces down his throat to shut him up.”

Tim laughed like I was joking. I wasn’t. The guy I was playing was a total crybaby. I’d played him before and won. But Paul made my life, and the judge’s, miserable with his whining, insisting there was no way he could be in checkmate. It was maddening, frustrating, exasperating, aggravating, irritating, and any other adjective I could think of. Needless to say, I wasn’t looking forward to a repeat performance.

I walked to my table like I was walking to a guillotine. Paul and I shook hands before we sat down. Folding my hands in my lap, I stared at the chessboard in front of me, trying not to look toward the bleachers to see if Brody decided to stay and, if so, where he was. I failed. My eyes darted to the side. He was sitting directly beside my table, about five rows up on the bleachers. He caught me looking at him and grinned. I smiled back and quickly looked back at the board, waiting for the signal to begin the games.

The buzzer sounded and thoughts of Brody drained from my mind. I was completely focused on the game in front of me. There were approximately fifteen games being played at the same time, but the gym was silent, other than the clicking of the chess pieces and the pressing of the timers.

Thankfully, a judge hovered near our table. It kept Paul quiet. Our game was over quickly. Instead of insisting on rehashing every move, trying to disprove my win, he knocked over his king and shook my hand before he returned to his school’s corner to sulk.

In the corner designated for our team, I grabbed a Coke out of the cooler the PTO set out for us and a granola bar. When I turned to sit down, I glanced at Brody in the bleachers. He was looking at me with a smirk. He gave me a quick thumbs-up. I smiled and felt my cheeks heat with a blush.

Why am I blushing? It was just a stupid chess game. I’m dating Jaden. Jaden… who would probably plow through all the chessboards if he knew Brody was here watching me play. Jaden… who’s never bothered to show any interest in my chess tournaments—ever.

My next two games weren’t quite as easy as the first. The second I did well, but the third, I made an error early on that almost cost me the game. It was a very stupid mistake that made me wonder if I was thinking more about Brody than the game.

After the final game, I grabbed my things and started toward the door. I felt a twinge of disappointment when I didn’t see Brody anywhere. Sighing, I hefted the strap of my messenger bag over my shoulder and started to leave.

I’m dating Jaden. I should be happy Brody isn’t around. I don’t need the hassle. Jaden. Jaden. Jaden. Yeah, I gotta keep reminding myself of that. Jaden… who knows my secret and would have no problem going through with his threat of telling everyone if I break up with him. Yeah, Jaden, the love of my life.

“You are stupid good.” Brody’s breath was so close to my ear that it tickled when he talked. I felt his hand on the small of my back, making my skin tingle. His other arm reached out and opened the gym door for me.

“Stupid good?” I laughed.

“Yeah, and that means I’m getting a burger. Good thing, too. I’m starving. Which car’s yours?”

“The black one.” I pointed. He guided me toward my car with a slight shift in pressure from his hand.

“Stow your stuff inside and I’ll drive,” he said when I unlocked the door. “I mean, if that works for you. I just figured if you generally stay at school on Fridays, certain people would expect to see your car here.”

Jaden. Jeez, Brody’s thinking more about my boyfriend than I am.

“Ah. Yeah, that works for me.” I tossed my stuff in the backseat. All of a sudden, I was nervous. I was fine thinking I’d drive myself to and from the restaurant and we’d just sit and eat together, but riding in a car with him… that was different.

“I’m over here. The Jeep Grand Cherokee.”

“Hey, it’s Jaden’s girl! How ya doing?” a deep voice boomed across the parking lot.

I looked over my shoulder and froze. Four guys walked toward us.

“What’s wrong?” Brody asked.

“You have to go. Just turn around, walk to your Jeep, and don’t look at them. They’re on the football team. If they see you and me together…”

“Can I text you later?”

“Yes. Just please go before they get any closer.”

Brody ducked his head and jogged to his Jeep, slipping in and driving away before the guys walked past me.

“Hey guys.” I tried to sound normal. “Where’s Jaden?”

“He’s still inside, grabbing his gear. Who was that?” The guy pointed in the direction of Brody’s Jeep.

“I’m gonna go find Jaden before he leaves. Good luck tonight!” I hurried toward the school, pushing through the doors. My heart hammered in my chest; it was almost painful. I leaned against the wall next to the doors, trying to calm my breathing while I waited.

“Hey. What are you doing here?” Jaden asked when he saw me.

“I just came to wish you good luck,” I said with what I hoped was a convincing smile.

Jaden bent and kissed me. “Thanks, baby. I’ll text you later. Maybe you can talk your mom into letting you go to Jamieson’s for a while tonight.”

“Yeah, I’ll ask her.” I wouldn’t.

“See ya,” Jaden said. He pushed through the doors and jogged toward the field.

Oh, that was too close. Way too close. If I’m lucky, they won’t say anything to Jaden about seeing me with someone. Please, let me be lucky for once.

I was restless at the game that night. Jittery. I popped a piece of cotton candy in my mouth, already on my second stick and it wasn’t even halftime yet.

“Okay, spill,” Jenna said, grabbing the candy from my hand.

“What? Give me that!” I scrambled for my candy like a heroin addict would their next fix.

“You only eat this crap when something is bothering you. And even then, you don’t mow through it this fast. What’s up? Tell me now or I’m throwing this candy on the ground.”