Page 28 of Stealing for Keeps
Chapter Nine
Austin
As I walk into my English literature class, Vaughn, Eddie, and Doyle go quiet. It’s been the same since the start of the school year. I considered switching my schedule around, but I know the only thing that could make the situation worse would be letting them run me off.
I take my seat next to Jenn. She’s a junior too. Her family moved to Frost Lake last year when her mom took a new job in the area. Her friendly smile is a nice contrast to the icy welcome from my teammates, and she knows what it’s like to move in the middle of high school.
“Hey,” she says, glancing over her shoulder quickly, then back at me. “Still on Collins’s shit list, huh?”
One side of my mouth quirks up.
“I’m at the top of the list though, so that should count for something,” I joke.
She shoots me an apologetic smile.
Our lit teacher, Mr. Kepfler, takes attendance and then instructs us to break into groups and discuss the first six chapters ofPride and Prejudice. He is big on havingopen discussion and talking among ourselves to further our own understanding of the material we read. Mostly that ends up with people talking about anything but the book.
While Jenn and I move our desks closer, I can hear Vaughn and the rest of the guys talking about tonight’s scrimmage game.
Meet the Knights, from what I’ve been told, is a celebration of the upcoming season. We’re broken into two teams, blue and white, and we’ll play a full eighty minutes.
Rowan says it’s a big, showy night with carnival games and food trucks. The student council group and the parent booster club put it together every year. People come, watch the game, see the new team in action, and then eat burnt hot dogs and cotton candy, all for donations to the athletics department at Frost Lake.
I’m just happy the season is almost here.
“Has your dad said how he’s breaking us up into teams?” Eddie asks loudly behind me.
“No.” Vaughn’s voice is quieter. “He decides right before the game so we can’t strategize.”
Adrenaline starts to pump through me. Practices have been intense, and I’ve never had to work harder, but I’m earning my spot, whether they like it or not.
“Hey, do you know Claire?” I ask Jenn when the guys turn their conversation away from soccer and the team.
“You mean Collins’s ex?” she asks, looking up from the book. Soft laughter escapes from her lips. “Yes, everyone knows Claire. They werethecouple.”
I really hate the visual of them together.
“Why? Considering doing something dumb like kissing her again?”
A sheepish grin pulls at the corners of my mouth. “You heard about that, huh?”
“Everyone did. I imagine that’s why you’re sitting here with me and not back there with them.”
“Partly,” I admit, then point toward her backpack. She has a figure skating patch stitched onto the side. “Did you skate with her?”
“No. I don’t skate competitively, just for fun. I’m on the hockey cheer squad. I don’t really know her that well, just things I’ve heard. Are you two together?”
“Hockey cheer squad?” My brows rise as I try to imagine that.
“Yeah.” She smiles. “We cheer at the hockey games.”
“I had no idea that was a thing.” I shake my head. Only in Michigan.
“So are you?” she asks.
“Am I what?”
“Are you and Claire together?”
