Page 177 of The Lineman

Like you were just waiting for the day they decided to love you again.

“How am I supposed to get over being me?”

I rubbed my palms against my thighs, staring at the ceiling for a second before glancing back at him.

“They might not be here,” I said. “But you are. And so am I. We can listen to each other, okay?”

Jake swallowed.

I nodded toward the front, where Jamie was still anxiously rearranging snacks. “And so is Jamie. And Mike. And Mateo.”

Jake’s eyes flicked up, watching them for a second.

I lowered my voice. “And you know what else?”

He glanced at me. “What?”

“I promise you, Jamie was twice as nervous walking in here for the first time.” I smirked. “And don’t get me started on Mike—Mr. Albert, sorry. I’ve never seen him so . . . anxious. That’s not even the right word. He was a total disaster.”

That got a tiny smile.

“Do you know them?” I pointed to where the wonder triplets were doing whatever wonder triplets did.

Jake shook his head.

“Wanna say hi? I’ll go up there with you. I can beat the crap out of them if they aren’t nice.”

He snickered. “You can’t do that. We’re at school.”

I grinned. “I got your back, Jake, but it’s your call.”

He hesitated.

Then—finally—he nodded.

As I led him toward the front of the room, I knew—deep in my bones—that I’d been right earlier. If only one kid showed up, this would be worth it.

Jake walked with me to the front of the room. His shoulders were still hunched, his fingers clenched in the hem of his hoodie. I could feel the tension rolling off of him, but he followed, and that was enough.

Jamie was still nervously rearranging snacks when I cleared my throat.

“Jamie,” I said, nodding toward Jake. “Meet your first guest.”

Jamie turned so fast I thought he might get whiplash.

“Oh! Hey!” Jamie beamed, stepping forward with a kind of nervous energy that somehow matched Jake’s own. “Hi!”

Jake ducked his head. “Uh. Hi?”

Jamie hesitated for half a second before extending a fist. “Wanna do an awkward, totally-not-corny fist bump so we can pretend we’re chill?”

Jake blinked. Then—hesitantly—he bumped Jamie’s fist.

Jamie grinned. “Boom. Instant cool points.”

It was, perhaps, the least cool thing I’d ever witnessed; but somehow, my heart filled watching it.

Jake’s lips twitched—not quite a smile, but close.

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