Page 79 of Even Exchange

“I think you meant, ‘Oh myNoah,’” he says, and I narrow my eyes at him, lips parted. He laughs. “Want to walk by the lake for a few?” He gestures towards it with our interlocked hands. “Give time for the crowd to die down?”

“Sure.”

“How are the twins?”

“Good,” I say, thinking of the photo Patricia sent me from Denny’s gymnastics camp this morning. “Staying busy.”

“How are things with your parents?”

I groan. “Going straight off the deep end, huh?”

“Just checking in.” He squeezes my hand. “I know it upsets you.”

I shrug. “We’re talking, but they still won’t give me back my car, and I have to pay my own tuition next year.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

“I have a partial cheer scholarship and some grants,” I tell him. “But they paid for my room and board. So I’ve been looking into some loan options.”

“If you need a private loan, I could?—”

“No way.” I glare at him. “Youjustgot your signing bonus. And also bought a house, which I imagine was not cheap.”

“Ireallydon’t mind.”

“I appreciate it, truly,” I tell him. “But I won’t accept that.”

There’s no way he can be my fake boyfriendandmy sugar daddy. Even if it’s a loan. That would just be wrong.

“Well, offer stands,” he says with a shrug as a few birds swoop down overhead, then disappear into a tree. Water laps at the shore, and I realize we’re alone. I glance down at our intertwined fingers, and he follows my gaze.

“Guess we don’t have to…”

“Oh.” He drops my hand. “Right.”

Way to go, loser.

The heat beats down on us, and a shaded bench below the tree catches my eye. I gesture towards it, and Noah nods. We sit, our sides touching as we stare out at the sunshine sparkling on the lake.

“I bet your mom is thrilled about you staying in Florida,” I say, trying to break the awkward silence.

“Yeah,” Noah says, wringing his hands together. “I’m definitely relieved to be near home.”

“You two are really close. I’m guessing it was hard after your dad left?” I ask, knowing it’s a sore spot but hoping for some insight.

His eyes dart to mine. “My dad?”

“Never mind.” I shake my head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought him up.”

His shoulders drop, distant gaze finding mine. “No, it’s okay,” he assures me. “I…” He blows out a shaky breath. “I want to talk to you about this stuff, I really do.”

A beat of silence passes between us. “But?”

He looks up at the blue sky, then back to the still lake. “It feels unnatural to talk about the darkest parts of my life while I’m surrounded by all the things that bring me joy.”

I study his face, taking note of the way he bites his lip. Like he’s holding something in. “And what would those things be?”

“Sunshine,” he says with a smile. “Football.” He gestures towards the fields. “And most importantly”—his gaze connects with mine—“you.”

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