Page 42 of The Strike Zone

“Because that horse sure is sexy,” Alice continued, like she hadn’t heard a word I’d said. “With his cute little waggling butt. And the coffee thing…come on, that was adorable.”

“He made fun of my order.”

“Itisdisgusting, Scout. He’d have lost points if hehadn’tmade fun of it.” She scoffed.

“That’s why I don’t tell anyone about it.”

“You told Parker.”

“Yeah, I know.”

She didn’t respond, and two minutes passed before she said anything else, which had to be some kind of record. Her forehead rested against the glass as we stared down at the field. It was kind of hypnotizing, and not at all surprising how little work I’d gotten done today.

Perhaps I should move my desk away from the windows.

The pair of us were so engrossed in staring out at the green expanse, that neither of us was particularly focused on any one thing. Alice noticed it first, and by the time I caught what she was saying, it was too late.

I couldn’t hide. I couldn’t duck behind my chair. I couldn’t doanythingexcept watch Parker King turn and stare directly at the window,mywindow, and wave.

Not a small wave either. Parker’s big arm shot right in the air, moving side to side like a windshield wiper. It was obvious enough that one of the guys he was with turned around.

“OMG,” said Alice.

“No. Nothing happened. That didn’t happen.”

“Um, we both know he just waved at you.”

“No,” I hissed again, turning to make sure no one else was looking out of their window. Thankfully, just me who was obviously not doing any work. “There’s no way he can see it’s me from this distance. And he doesn’t even know where my desk is. Or the window.”

“You can see him,” she countered, “and I was here when he came up, remember? He’s obviously worked out which your window is.”

“No way, he didn’t. Who does that?”

“Parker King,” she replied as she stood up.

I thought she was finally returning to her desk, but I should have known better.

Instead, she waved back, if you could class what she was doing as waving. Jumping up and down while her arms flailed about. If he wasn’t two hundred yards away, he’d probably be able to hear her banging on the glass too.

I pushed as hard as I could against the window, zooming away in my chair, and shrunk down so no one could see me. Though thankfully I don’t think anyone paid the slightest attention, they were all far too used to Alice’s behavior to care what was causing it today.

She finally turned away. “Phew, well, I’ve done what I came to do, and watching those guys is really making me crave hot dogs. Let’s go and get one for lunch.”

“Sure.” I snatched up my purse, anything to get out of here and away from the window.

“Hey, Scout?” she said, pressing the elevator button. “If you don’t want Parker, can I have him?”

I bit down on my cheek, though I didn’t need to think about the answer. “No.”

“Yeah, that’s what I figured.”

ELEVEN

PARKER

“King, a word.”

Slamming my locker door shut, I turned to find Coach standing in the archway, only for him to walk off. I guess it was my cue to follow.

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