Page 34 of The Perfect Steal

Sadness overwhelmed me as I realized the anniversary of the accident was coming up in about seven weeks. I’d tried to avoid thinking about the memories of that day, but it was hard to focus on anything else.

“Once graduation is here, I’m gone,” I said, more to myself, helping to push the memories aside.

“Really? You’re not going to play at UH where your dad coaches?” Nate leaned his elbow on the top of my car and stared at me, waiting for a response.

Why had I said anything? Having his attention on me was more terrifying than even starting a basketball game, and those were horrible until a minute had passed. It was like every time I saw him now, I turned into more of a fangirl. Not something I wanted to have happen. At least my outside façade was holding strong and nonchalant.

“No, I’ll see if I get a scholarship for basketball or academics anywhere else. I’m not too picky.”

Nate glanced down at a rock on the parking lot, kicking it away with his foot and then focusing on me again. I just hoped the heat I felt in my cheeks hadn’t appeared in red splotches.

“That’s cool. I just need some space from being called the mayor’s son, or Chip Everton’s boy.” He rolled his eyes and gave me a sad smile. “It gets old, ya know?”

I nodded. “The same happens to me when I go to my dad’s games. He’s convinced I’m going there, cheaper tuition and all because he’s a coach. But I don’t think I can do it. I just need a little more freedom than I have here.”

Our eyes locked for several seconds, and I might have swooned inwardly at those baby blues.Again.

I’d always thought Nate was shallow, that he didn’t have much of a future and relished being the mayor’s son for all the attention it brought him. But I’d never been more wrong than now. He’d been so considerate ever since we were paired up, hadn’t shown the arrogant loudmouth behavior I’d seen him display several times over the past year.

“I should probably head home,” I said, wanting to take a shower most of all. “But I guess I’ll see you tomorrow in class.”

“Do you want to work on the assignment right now? My afternoon is free, and we might as well start working on it before basketball gets crazy, right?” He grinned at me, sending my stomach into fits of excitement.

“Um, yeah, sure. What time is it?”

He shrugged.“I’m not sure. I left my phone in my Hummer.”

I opened the door, grabbing my phone and unlocking it. The screen was still on Nate’s text, and as I saw it was only eleven, I figured we could get some of the assignment done.

“I might have texted you this morning, wondering what you were up to,” I said, unable to meet his eyes. To avoid looking up, I swiped to the main screen of my messages, waiting for my mom’s text about the girl’s day out. Nothing.

“Oh yeah? Great minds think alike,” he said with a light laugh.“I was wondering the same thing about you.”

I panicked, not knowing what to say next. If only I were Kate or Serena. At this point, they’d know exactly what to say to a guy they liked. And here I was, the shy part of me shining through in these unknown waters.If we were apart and texting, all the pressure was off.

Redirecting the conversation, I said, “Let me go grab my backpack and get a shower in. Where do you want to meet?” I tried to think of a grocery store along the route between our houses where we could meet, but most of them weren’t right in the middle.

“Do you want to meet at my house? We should probably put together the list of meals for the month before we head to the store, right?”

My cheeks burned, and I nodded, finally glancing up at him. Gosh, he was cute, especially with his little half-smile.

Then his words hit me. Hang out at Nate’s house? Without the girls? This was out of my usual comfort zone. I could flirt a little from time to time, but as feelings turned more intense, I was more than nervous that I would manage to ruin things somehow.

“True, yeah.” Then the chicken in me said, “I totally forgot. I’m supposed to hang out with my mom today. It was kind of a big deal for her to even invite me.” I gave him a small smile. “Can we find another time to work on it together?”

“No problem. I’m happy your mom is doing something with you. Maybe there’s hope for our parents after all.” He looked disappointed, and I was torn between going with my mom or hanging out with him. But I would be working on that project with him at some point at least. My mom inviting me somewhere might just be an anomaly.

All the emotions I’d just gone through in the past twenty minutes ran through me again as I reflected on it all. Seeing Nate working hard without someone there pushing him. Talking to him and then him inviting me over to work on the project?

If I wasn’t careful, I was going to be in deeper than I could manage. All roads led to heartbreak if I didn’t watch out.

20

Nate

Seeing Brynn at the park had been a surprise, but it was fun talking to her. As much as I wished we could hang out, even if only for an assignment, I was excited her mom was willing to do something with her.

I thought about her on the way home. Her drive to be the best in basketball and school was inspiring. Thinking over the girls I’d hung out with before, none of them had been that devoted to anything, and it inspired me to do better, to be better.

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