Page 60 of Falling Into You

“So. What’s this all about?”

Jacob was so in his own mind that he startled at the sound of Layla’s voice. She was standing next to him with Stuart on her other side, leaning into his crutches. Layla wore a short black dress, and Stuart’s crutches had been decorated with red and gold garland for the occasion. A guy with very spiky hair and serious eyeliner stood to Stuart’s left.

Layla nudged Jacob with her elbow. “You make nice with Roryafterleaving us high and dry for halftime?”

“I didn’t—” Jacob paused and bit down on his bottom lip. “You know what? I’m kind of distracted by my brainexploding right now, so can we have this conversation later?”

“Fair,” Stuart said, smoothing down his red-and-gold-striped tie. “So what’re you gonna do about that travesty?” He chucked his chin toward the dance floor.

The music swelled to full volume as Tucker slipped his arms around Rory’s waist. Jacob held his breath.

“She said she was just going to get it over with,” Jacob said. “I don’t know if she wants me to do something.”

“Look at them!” Spiky Hair Guy said. “You could throw a basketball between the two of them. She isnotenjoying this.”

Tucker was leaned down to whisper something in Rory’s ear, and she turned her head away, wincing. That was all Jacob needed.

He stepped out into the open space the crowd had created between them and the king and queen. He heard a few gasps of surprise but didn’t pay them any mind. Rory looked up at him, noting the movement, and they locked eyes as he approached.

I got this,he told her silently.

At least he hoped that was what he was communicating. And not something else, likeI really want a cheeseburger.

He reached up and tapped Tucker on the shoulder. Tucker froze, then slowly, slowly turned to look at him. His expression was pure disgust.

“What?” he snapped.

“I’m cutting in,” Jacob said.

“Like hell you are.” Tucker tightened his grip on Rory, and Jacob saw her pull back.

“I don’t think she wants to dance with you, man,” Jacob said.

“This is the king-and-queen dance,” Tucker shot back. “Not the king-and-queen-and-joker dance.”

“Clever,” Jacob said. “Surprised you had that in you.”

“Eff you, dude,” Tucker said. He finally released Rory and turned to face off with Jacob. Rory hovered off to the side, not walking away. “I don’t understand how we were ever friends.”

“I’m starting to wonder that myself,” Jacob told him. “And besides, last I heard, Rory gave up the crown.”

“You can’t just give up the crown,” Tucker said. “The people voted. You gotta give the people what they want.”

Jacob turned to look Rory in the eye. “Rory, do youwantto dance with Tucker right now?”

“You know... I really don’t,” Rory replied.

Jacob smiled and held out his hand to her. “Let’s go get some of that punch.”

Rory smiled right back. She took his hand. “Let’s.”

Together they strolled off the dance floor toward the refreshment table, leaving Tucker staring after them.

“Thank you,” Rory said, letting out a sigh of relief. “I don’t think I could have faked that any longer.”

“Anytime.” Jacob used the ladle to serve up a glass of punch and handed it to her. “Are we done with homecoming yet?”

“Not yet.” Carlos came up behind them. Jacob turned and saw half the squad had lined up around them. Carlos, Layla, Gwen, Stuart, Dahlia, and Maya, plus the kid with the spiky hair who he now assumed was Stuart’s date, as he was standing as close as Stuart’s crutches would allow.