Don't Bet on It

Chapter 14

There were way more people at the party than I was expecting. He didn't usually have this many people at his parties. It looked like he'd invited about half the school.

"Hey!" Eric had caught sight of us and was waving.

We made our may over to him. "How come there are so many people here?" Daniel asked.

Eric made a face. "My mom was sad because she didn't have any daughters to throw a sweet sixteen for, so she decided to plan a big fancy party for me and made me invited everyone I've ever met in my whole life."

I laughed. "Well, at least this way you don't have to be here the whole time. You can sneak off without anyone noticing because there are so many people here."

"True," he replied. "You guys want anything to eat? There's food in the kitchen."

"Fun," I said. "I'm gonna go stuff my face with your mom's awesome cupcakes. They're here, right?"

Eric laughed and nodded.

Deena followed me to the kitchen. "So, are you gonna make a move on him?" She asked.

I should my head. "Why should I?"

"Um... because you like him?"

"And? I don't know if he likes me back, and even if he does, I don't like doing stuff like that."

Deena rolled her eyes. "Fine. Whatever floats your boat."

I picked up a cupcake and started to pull the wrapper off. "Well, that floats my boat."

Deena picked up another cupcake. "I'm gonna go find my boyfriend. I'll see you later."

"Have fun," I said. "Try not to make out too much."

Deena rolled her eyes again, grumbled something, and walked away.

I grabbed a soda from a cooler in the kitchen and then went back to the backyard. There were so many people there that I felt like I didn't have space to breathe. I didn't much like big crowds either.

I looked up toward the roof. A vague memory of the four of us sitting up there flickered in the back of my mind. Eric's house had a rooftop terrace with a garden and little paths and benches dotted throughout. There were flowers and short bushes and a beautiful view of the stars up there. I could stand alone and watch the party from above.

I reentered the house and walked all the way up the stairs to the trap door that led to the roof. I climbed through the opening and walked over to a bench where I could see the backyard. Then I sat down and finished eating my cupcake.

A few minutes later, I heard the trap door open and turned around to see Eric coming up onto the roof. He paused when he saw me. "Sorry. I didn't know anyone was up here."

"It's okay," I replied. "I was getting kind of lonely anyway."

"Cool." He cracked a smile. "Mind if I sit next to you?"

I scooted over so he wouldn't have to sit on the edge of the bench. He sat down. "So, how's life?"

I shrugged. "Okay, I guess. Except for the whole moving-in-with-Dad thing."

"Oh, right. How's that going for you?"

"Still trying to figure out a way to back out."

He gave me a sympathetic look. "That must be hard."

"How's it going with you?"

"Well, this party is not exactly what I wanted, but it's fine. I've realized that I've got a pretty good life. I feel bad complaining with all the stuff the three of you are going through, what with Daniel's family situation and Deena's dad being overseas and your... predicament."

I nodded slowly, looking away. I knew by "predicament," he meant my dad, but there was something else I'd been thinking about lately. That I could've had someone else this whole time to be there with me.

He leaned over to look at me. "There's something besides your dad, isn't there?"

I didn't answer.

He leaned back against the bench. "It's okay. You don't have to tell me. It's none of my business, anyway."

"I was supposed to be a twin," I said.

He turned to look at me. "Really?"

I nodded.

"What happened?"

"Stillborn," I replied flatly.

"Oh." He looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry."

"Her name was going to be Theresa." I smiled sadly. "We were going to be Jessa and Tessa."

"Is that why your middle name is Theresa?"

I nodded again.

"Well, you wouldn't have been an only child either way."

"True. But being a twin sounded fun."

He scooted closer to me. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm kinda glad there's only one of you. Otherwise I might have two crushes."

Say what? I just looked at him. His eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, can you repeat that last part?"

"What last part? I didn't say anything."

I tried to catch his gaze. "Yep, I'm pretty sure you did."

Eric was blushing like crazy. "Um, I said 'I'm kinda glad there's only one of you.'"

"No, after that."

"I don't think I said anything after that."

"Yes you did."

"No I didn't."

I smiled. "You like me?"

He started shaking his head really fast. "No I don't."

"Yes you do!"

"Jessa I love you," he burst, locking eyes with me. "I - I'm not gonna say it was 'love at first sight' or anything like that, because I don't believe in that stuff, but as soon as I got to know you I was just head-over-heels. This past year has been crazy for me because I didn't know how to tell you or if you even like me back, and I know making a bet about it was a stupid thing to do, but I didn't know to do." He smiled apologetically. "And, well, it did get your attention."

My cheeks felt like they were filled with burning coals. I didn't know what to say.

"I should've handled it batter, but I'm just a stupid love-struck boy who doesn't know what he's doing." He grimaced. "So I'm sorry if I acted like a jerk."

I looked up at the sky and thought I saw a shooting star. Well, isn't that ironic. My wish had already come true.

Saying that I like him after he just said that he loved me was not something I wanted to do. But I didn't love him, not yet at least. I just liked him a lot.

"Eric, I like you too," I finally said. "I don't know if I love you yet, so I'm sorry that I can't say that. But I do really like you. And I want to be with you.

Eric smiled and wrapped his hand around mine while gazing at the sky.