Page 126 of Stealing for Keeps
There’s a long silence where I think that’s all he’s going to say about it, but then miraculously, he keeps going.
“I lost Claire a long time ago, and I’ve been holding on to who we were or who I thought we could be. She was the coolest girl in fifth grade, and she’s still the coolest girl I know.” A hint of a smile tips up the corner of his lips. “But we aren’t those same kids anymore.”
I think of the mementos Claire has tucked away in that purple box. It’s a lot of history to have with one person.Fuck, I’ve only known her for a few months, and I don’t want to let her go.
He clears his throat. “Anyway. It’s not really my place anymore to act like a possessive boyfriend. She’s moved on. I’m gonna try to do the same. I know how much you care about her,” he says the last part like it pains him.
“I do.” Not that it really matters anymore, but I’ll always care about Claire.
“And I know if you hurt her, Lacey will destroy you without me having to lift a finger.” He smiles for real, an honest-to-god smile at the thought of my demise.
“She would for sure, but, uh, we aren’t together anymore.”
“I know,” he says. “But it’s still reassuring to know.” With a side-eye, his smile turns teasing. “Parents still pissed about the fight?”
“No, not really. Your dad?”
He shakes his head. “He’s too worried about the game next weekend.” Conference championships. We’ll more than likely face Ralley again.
Blake walks up, and we stop talking to greet him. After that, everyone starts to slowly arrive. We head inside and are seated at three tables pushed together lengthwise on one side of the restaurant.
I glance up at the doors as Claire walks in with Lacey. My breath gets caught in my chest. She’s smiling at her best friend, sharing some private conversation. Her cheeks are red from outside, and her blond hair is covered by a black beanie that matches her coat and gloves. It hurts to look at her. She’s so damn beautiful and no longer mine.
She waves around the table as she and Lacey take a seat at the opposite end. Would it be too desperate to move closer? Probably. I consider it anyway. I just want to be near her.
Dinner is nice. Rowan eats up the attention as half the restaurant sings “Happy Birthday” to him, and I’m next to Hunter, who wants to talk about practice and the upcoming game. Any other time, I’d be thrilled to talk soccer, but tonight I’m too busy sneaking glances down the table.
After we finish eating, people start to slowly trickle off. We have early practice tomorrow, so nobody is going out tonight.
Rowan and I move down to where Vaughn, Lacey, and Claire are still sitting.
“I feel like I didn’t get to talk to you two all night,” Rowan says to the girls as he takes a seat next to Lacey. “What’d I miss?”
Lacey glances at Claire, smiling big. Claire looks a little embarrassed as she smiles back. It’s obvious something happened.
“What?” Rowan asks.
She still looks bashful, but she twists her lips together and then says, “I joined the hockey cheer squad.”
Her gaze briefly drifts to me. Lacey squeezes Claire so hard, I watch the latter visibly wince as the air is knocked out of her.
“No way!” Rowan says, face lighting up as he holds up a hand, looking for a high five. “I’m happy for you.”
Claire fits her smaller palm against his. “Thank you.”
For the next several minutes, Rowan asks her a bunch of questions about it, and Claire answers, Lacey jumping in with all her excitement and hugging her best friend every few minutes.
A weird sensation spreads through me. Pride. Excitement. And this lingering sadness that I wasn’t there to cheer her on while she did it.
When we all eventually get up and head for the front door, I fall into step beside her.
“Congratulations. That’s really awesome news.”
She puts her arms through her jacket sleeves, then smiles. “I have you to thank.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you helped me realize how much I missed being a part of something, having a purpose.” She laughs lightly. “Even if that purpose is just to skate around and yell some cheers. I don’t need to win medals or be the best at something. I just want to enjoy myself, and I missed skating.”
