"But you know what the best part about tonight will be? Not only are we going to wipe the floor with them, but afterward I get to go home and celebrate with my gorgeous girl, Ms. Scarlet Tucker."
                          
I hear a coo of awws from all around, and I'm mortified knowing almost every single person in the school is probably staring at me. And if I'm being honest, I'm not sure how I feel about the double meaning behind his words, which I'm sure people caught onto.
                          
Though Jack makes me happy and likes to show me off, there are times he goes too far. He's a showboat—that's just the type of person he is, and I know that. But it isn't just football he brags about. While I don't kiss and tell, the same most definitely cannot be said for Jack. His friends have asked me intimate questions suggesting they know way too many details, and I've asked Jack to stop, which he did for about a week, but then he was back to his old self. People are who they are, and you either love all of them or none of them.
                          
With Jack, I have to love all of him, even if there are parts I don't want to. Not every relationship is perfect; the important thing is that he kept me happy when all I wanted to do was cry after Max died. If Jack and I were to break up, although it's different, I'm not sure I could handle losing someone else that close to me.
                          
The band kicks in with our fight song, and not a second later every single person in the stands joins in. We wrap our arms around one another and scream every word at the top of our lungs, radiating school pride. Texas schools may just be the most prideful bunch in the entire country.
                          
•
                          
As usual, while everyone in the bleachers filters back to their classes, I wait outside the gym for Jack to come out. Jessica waits with me for a little but eventually even she has to scurry off to class. I lean with my back against the orange and black painted concrete, eyeing the doors to the gym as I wait for Jack to emerge.
                          
He finally does, laughing with Bryce before they bro hug and Bryce walks away while Jack walks over to me. He lifts me into his arms, twirls me around, and laughter spills from my lips.
                          
"You were great," I say.
                          
"I have to be. The school expects me to lead us to another state championship."
                          
"You sure did make a big promise."
                          
"What, to not let them score? Babe, we've got the best defense around, there is no way in hell they're going to get down to the end zone. I've got confidence in my boys."
                          
"That so?"
                          
"You know I'm not one to disappoint," he whispers, pressing his lips to mine. "You look absolutely beautiful representing me." He lets his hand dip dangerously low on my back. "It's kind of a major turn-on."
                          
Elijah's at the other end of the hallway, wearing a dark-gray hoodie zipped all the way up, his hands deep in his pockets. When we ran into one another a few days ago, he seemed so different up close. He was more welcoming. There was a softer atmosphere surrounding him than I was expecting. Jack catches sight of him right before Elijah turns the corner. He doesn't pull away from me completely, instead settling for resting his arm around my waist.
                          
"Hey, freak!" Jack calls. "How come you weren't cheering? Too high to realize what was going on?"
                          
Elijah stops walking, his body stiff and unwavering, but then he continues on his way. The pause lasts for mere seconds, and then he's out of sight. My heart drops for him.
                          
"Thanks for cheering so loud during the rally, babe," Jack says, kissing my cheek. "But I'm going to go find the guys. See you later."
                          
I watch him go, a part of me glad he's gone so I don't have to fake a response to his teasing. My eyes travel back to where Elijah walked off and I recall how stiff his body became when Jack addressed him like that.