Chapter 31
Sadie's POV
The diner just outside the school looked like it had been frozen in time — red leather booths lined the walls, black-and-white checkered floors gleamed under the lights, and faded old movie posters covered every inch of the walls like relics from another decade.
Near the back was an oversized U-shaped booth big enough for large groups.
Brooklyn, Maya, Zoe, and I slid onto one side while Liam, Cole, and Tyler spread out across the other curve of the booth.
Jake didn't sit.
He walked straight to the counter and ordered without looking at the menu.
"Signature burger, no onions, fries with light salt, and warm water instead of soda."
I froze.
That was exactly how I would've ordered.
I always skipped onions because they made me nauseous.
I couldn't handle too much salt.
And cold drinks hurt my stomach when I wasn't feeling well.
How did he—?
I stared at him, my heart pounding again.
He paid without glancing back, then carried the tray over and set it in front of me.
"Eat," he said simply.
Then he slid into the empty section of the curved booth directly across from me.
Brooklyn leaned over and whispered, "Did he just order for you?"
I nodded slowly, still too shocked to speak.
Maya's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Zoe just looked between us like she was watching a tennis match.
I picked up the burger with shaking hands and took a small bite.
It tasted perfect.
Of course it did.
---
Liam pulled out his phone. "Okay, everyone add each other on Instagram. We're doing this properly."
Brooklyn immediately grabbed her phone. "Yes! I need more content anyway."
Maya scanned Liam's code first.
Then Cole's.
Then Tyler's.
I was about to pull out my phone when Jake slid his across the table.
His Instagram QR code glowed on the screen.
The entire booth went silent.
"What the hell," Tyler muttered.
Cole's burger stopped halfway to his mouth.
Liam's jaw literally dropped. "Bro. You never add anyone."
Jake shrugged. "They're Liam's stepsister and her friends. Makes sense."
His tone was completely neutral.
Like this wasn't a huge deal.
But it was.
Brooklyn, Maya, and Zoe scrambled to scan his code before he changed his mind.
I sat frozen, staring at the phone in front of me.
"You gonna scan it or what?" Jake asked, his eyes locking on mine.
I swallowed hard and lifted my phone with trembling hands.
The second I scanned the code, my phone buzzed.
JMontgomery23 followed you back.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
I locked my phone quickly and shoved it into my pocket, suddenly unable to look at him.
Across the diner, Mason sat at a corner table.
He was staring directly at us.
At me.
His jaw was tight, his knuckles white around his soda cup.
I looked away quickly.
---
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
I pulled it out under the table.
Instagram DM from JMontgomery23:
Low blood sugar?
I glanced up.
Jake was looking at his phone, his expression unreadable.
I typed back quickly.
Yeah. It was really hot on the bleachers.
His response came immediately.
Don't come to practice anymore.
I blinked.
Why?
Too hot.
But Brooklyn and the others always go...
I watched him across the table.
He looked up, his pale eyes meeting mine for just a second.
Then his next message appeared.
Then sit under the shade. And bring water.
My chest tightened.
I stared at the screen, my fingers hovering over the keyboard.
Finally, I typed:
...Okay.
His reply was instant.
Good girl.
My face went up in flames.
I locked my phone so fast I nearly dropped it, then shoved it back into my pocket and grabbed my burger like my life depended on it.
"Who texted you?" Maya asked, her eyes sharp.
"Brooklyn," I lied. "Just a meme."
Maya didn't look convinced.
But she didn't push.
---
The door chimed.
I didn't look up.
But I felt the shift in the air immediately.
"Oh my God, Jake! What a coincidence!"
Vivienne's voice was sugary sweet and way too loud.
I looked up slowly.
She stood near our booth in a tight crop top and high-waisted jeans, Madison right behind her.
Her eyes scanned the table, landing on me for just a second too long.
Then she smiled.
"Liam! And... Sadie, right? I heard you weren't feeling well earlier. Are you okay now?"
"I'm fine," I said quietly. "Thanks."
"Good." Her smile widened, but it didn't reach her eyes. "You know, the bleachers can be brutal. Especially for girls with fair skin like yours."
She held up her arm, showing off her tan. "I'm out there all the time for cheer practice. My skin's basically immune now."
Madison smirked. "Yeah, not everyone can handle the heat."
Brooklyn's hand clenched into a fist under the table.
I bit the inside of my cheek and said nothing.
Vivienne leaned closer to Jake, her hand landing on his shoulder.
"We're having a pool party this weekend," she said softly. "You should come. I'll wear that bikini you like."
Her fingers trailed down his arm.
Jake's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.
Hard.
"I've never liked anything about you," he said, his voice cold and sharp. "And if you touch me again, your dad's company is going to have a very bad quarter."
Vivienne's face went white.
"Jake, I was just—"
"Leave."
He let go of her wrist.
She stumbled back, her eyes wide and glassy.
For a second, she just stood there.
Then she turned and walked out, Madison scrambling after her.
I sat frozen, my heart pounding.
Jake looked at me across the table, his expression softening for just a second.
Then he looked away.