Page 21 of No Way Home
Might have the best face I’d ever seen but he needed a muzzle for that mouth.
Chapter Six
MAGNOLIA
ONE MONTH LATER
“Why are we here again?”Abilene’s nose scrunched as she eyed the guys swaying five rows down. The game hadn’t even started, and half the student section was already sloshed. Red Solo cups littered the ground. Abilene and I were probably the only sober ones here.
I thrust my hands at the football field below. “Because we only have two football seasons left and we’ve never been to a game.”
“Neither of us even likes football.” She grunted, unimpressed, as she took in our fellow student body. “We might be the only school in America where people look nicer for game day than we do on Sundays.”
“What are you talking about? We’re wearing jeans and a Hoos T-shirt.”
“Because we didn’t conform.” She gestured around us. “Clones. All of them.” She wasn’t wrong. As far as the eye could see, the student section was a sea of sameness. For the guys, it was khakis with a white or baby blue button-up shirt, and striped orange and blue tie. The girls all sported sundresses. Some even had hats. “Wait.” Abilene gripped my hand, eyes bulging playfully. “Is this the Kentucky Derby?”
I laughed. “In your dreams.”
Her lips pursed. “Actually, I’d mock that too.”
“Sorry…excuse us…sorry.” A deep, familiar voice chuckled. “Yeah we’re right there.”
“Bowen?” It slipped out breathy and strangled. Thankfully, not loud enough for him to hear.
“Say what?” Abilene asked, eyes darting around.
I pointed down four rows and whispered, “It’s 167, Bowen Dupree, Griffin’s brother.”
“Yes,” Abilene said dryly. “I know who he is. Every girl in the student section knows.”
Sure enough, as Bowen slid past a short blond trying to get to his seat, every girl in the vicinity watched him move like he was some kind of god. Even the air seemed to lean toward him.
Another guy followed behind Bowen, scooching by to get to their seats.
“Do you think that’s Hobbit Feet?” Abilene asked.
I put a finger to my lips and gave her a severe look. This was not the time.
Bowen wore the same pale blue button-up, khakis, and striped tie as everyone else. But it looked infinitely better on him. Like something off of a magazine cover.
“Um…ouch,” Abilene yelped, and I realized my fingernails were digging into her arm.
“Sorry.” I let go and rose on my tiptoes to get a better look. He’d come to a stop, almost directly in front of us. All I could see was the back of his head now. “What is he doing here?” I mumbled.
“What do you mean?” Abilene tapped on my forehead like my skull was suddenly hollow. “Earth to Maggie. He’s here to watch the game like everyone else.”
At my name, Bowen’s head snapped around. Our eyes locked. I was about to be the bigger person, let bygones be bygones, and give him a little wave. But then, he hissed a swearword, as if I’d just ruined his day, and turned back around like he hadn’t seen me.
Anoofescaped my chest.
“Oh, I don’t like him. Not one bit,” Abilene scoffed, then cupped her hands like a megaphone. “I thought Duprees were supposed to be gentlemen! Or does that only apply when your mama’s watching?”
If Bowen heard, he didn’t let on. Just stood there, shoulders rigid, facing the field. His friend turned to look at us though.
“Abilene,” I hissed.
“Sorry.” Her head bobbed, not sorry at all. “He’s dissed my girl three times now and I’ve had enough!” she yelled at the back of his head.
