Chapter 18
Sadie's POV
The question caught me off guard. "I haven't really thought about it."
"You should. It's a big deal here. Like, the biggest deal of the fall semester." He grinned. "Plus, it's part of the whole college application thing. Well-rounded student, extracurriculars, leadership, social involvement. All that stuff admissions offices love."
"I'm more focused on my grades."
"Grades aren't everything," Liam said, surprisingly serious. He slowed down at a red light, turning to look at me fully. "Look, I get it. You want to get into a good school, get out of this small-town bubble, prove yourself. But you're only young once, you know? Don't spend all your time studying and miss out on actually living. Trust me—in ten years, you're not going to remember the B+ you got on some chemistry test. You're going to remember the nights you stayed up late with friends, the dances, the stupid risks you took."
I bit my lip. "I'll think about it."
"Good. Because honestly, Sadie, you're way too pretty to hide in the library all the time." He said it so casually, like it was obvious, like everyone must think the same thing. "And you're brave. Like your mom. Emma's incredible—working those night shifts at the café, putting herself through everything she did to give you a better life. I mean, working night shifts at an internet café in that neighborhood? I couldn't do that. If I were a girl, I'd be terrified."
My throat tightened. "It wasn't that bad."
"Still. Takes guts." He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as the light turned green. "You've got that same strength. I saw it today in the cafeteria. Most people would've crumbled under that kind of public humiliation, but you stood up and fought back. That's rare."
I didn't know what to say. Compliments always made me uncomfortable, especially ones that felt too big, too generous.
"Plus," Liam continued, grinning again, "our football team has a game that night. You'll want to support your brother, right?"
I smiled faintly, warmed by how easily he claimed the title of my stepbrother. "Right."
"And Jake's playing too. He's quarterback. Total beast on the field. You should see him—it's like watching someone who was born to do it. He's got this instinct, this awareness of everything happening around him. It's insane."
My heart did something stupid. "Has he won Homecoming King before?"
"Every year since sophomore year," Liam said proudly. "He's kind of a legend. The golden boy. Friday Night Lights incarnate. Why, you thinking about going after all?"
I hesitated. "I don't know. Maybe."
"You should. Vivienne's won Homecoming Queen twice in a row. Wouldn't it be amazing to knock her off her throne?" He glanced at me with a mischievous smile. "I mean, after today, you're already a legend. Might as well go all the way."
The idea was tempting. Too tempting. Beating Vivienne at her own game, proving that I belonged here, that I wasn't just some charity case from the wrong side of town.
But it also felt dangerous. Like stepping into a spotlight I wasn't ready for.
"I'd vote for you," Liam added. "Just saying. And I'm pretty sure half the football team would too after they hear what you did today. News travels fast."
Before I could respond, we pulled through massive iron gates. The Montgomery Estate stretched out before us—sprawling, elegant, intimidating. Manicured lawns so green they looked fake, towering oak trees that must've been a hundred years old, a fountain in the circular driveway with actual marble statues.
This was going to be home for the next month.
My stomach twisted.
Liam parked near the front steps, killing the engine. "Welcome to Casa Montgomery. Don't worry—it's less scary than it looks. Diane's the sweetest person alive, and Charles is barely home. Works like eighteen hours a day."
"And Jake?"
Liam's expression shifted, something I couldn't read flickering across his face. "Jake's... Jake. You'll be fine."
Before I could ask what that meant, the front door opened.
A woman stepped out—tall, graceful, wearing a soft blue dress that matched her eyes. Her dark hair was pulled into a loose bun, and she had the kind of smile that made you feel instantly safe. Like she was the type of mom who baked cookies and remembered everyone's birthdays and gave the best hugs.
Diane Montgomery.
Behind her, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, was Jake.
My heart stuttered.
He looked tired—hair slightly messy like he'd been running his hands through it, grey sweatpants that hung low on his hips, a black hoodie pushed up to his elbows revealing tan forearms. But his eyes found mine immediately, and something unreadable flickered across his face.
Not quite a smile. Not quite indifference.
Something in between.
"Sadie!" Diane came down the steps, and before I could even process it, she pulled me into a hug. She smelled like lavender and vanilla and something else—maybe jasmine. "Welcome to our home, sweetheart. I'm so glad you're here."
"Thank you, Mrs. Montgomery," I managed, my voice slightly muffled against her shoulder.
"Oh, please. Call me Diane." She pulled back, holding me at arm's length, her eyes warm. "Emma's told me so much about you. You're even prettier than she said. And taller! I swear, you girls these days."
I flushed. "That's really kind of you."
"It's the truth." Diane glanced at Liam, who was hauling my suitcase out of the trunk. "Did you give her the full tour on the drive?"
"Not yet," Liam said, grinning. "Figured Jake could handle that. You know, since they're basically housemates now."
Jake straightened at that, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.
Our eyes met.
And for a second, the world narrowed to just us. The afternoon sun behind him, the sound of the fountain, Diane's warm voice fading into background noise.
"Yeah," he said quietly, his voice rough like he hadn't used it in a while. "I can do that."
Diane beamed, oblivious to the tension. "Perfect. Come on, darling. Let's get you settled in. I had the guest room made up—it's right down the hall from Jake's room. Very convenient."
Convenient.
Right.
As I followed her up the steps, I felt Jake's gaze on my back, heavy and unreadable.
Liam clapped him on the shoulder as he passed, saying something I couldn't hear.
Jake didn't respond.
And I couldn't help but wonder what the next month was going to look like, living under the same roof as the boy I'd been in love with for a year.
My heart gave a stupid little skip every time I thought about it.