Page 37 of Stealing for Keeps
He doesn’t outright admit it, but he nods. “I saw you talking to Claire earlier.”
“Yeah.” I don’t bother denying it. Then I think about what Torrance said, how everyone is saying I broke them up and how Jenn basically confirmed that the rumor around school was that I was into his ex. “Just talking.”
“So there’s nothing going on with you two?” His gaze narrows while he waits for me to answer.
“There’s nothing going on,” I confirm. It’s true, there isn’t anything going on right now, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about it.
The relief on his face is immediate. “Things with Claire and I are complicated. We’re not together right now, but…” The implication is obvious. He thinks they’ll be together again. “I know you didn’t realize the situation when you got here, but I guess between the kiss and everything else, I got in my head that you were interested in her.”
He doesn’t phrase it as a question, but I can tell he wants me to confirm.
“It’s just you two have been sitting at lunch together, and I heard you have art class together, then tonight…”
“We’re just friends.” The word doesn’t quite sum up how I feel about her, but it’s technically true. She’s not exactly jumping at my offers to hang out. Even tonight, she ran off at the first opportunity she had.
He considers me for a moment. “All right. I appreciate you being honest with me.”
A feeling an awful lot like guilt wraps around me, making my skin feel tight. But I don’t owe him anything. He’s made my life hell.
“You’re a good soccer player, and we have a real shot at state again this year.” His words take a moment to land, and by the time they do, he’s holding out a hand to me. “Truce?”
I hesitate before I take it, then Vaughn bumps his shoulder against mine with a wide smile.
Chapter Twelve
Claire
The following day, I don’t see Austin until art class. He wasn’t with Rowan at lunch, and I haven’t caught so much as a glimpse of him in the hallway. I wondered if he was even at school today, but then I overheard a group of freshman girls talking about how good he looked in the purple shirt.
I’m embarrassed to admit I knew without a lot of thought that he hadn’t worn purple all week. I wasn’t aware that I was tracking his outfits like some sort of fan girl, but maybe I do have a teeny-tiny fleck of interest when it comes to the new guy.
He’s kind of hard not to notice, considering the entire school is obsessed with him. My interest isn’t about that though. It’s not because he’s easily one of the hottest guys at school, though he is. It’s not because he’s talented and cocky, but again—he is. It’s little things. How he spent last night at the carnival with his little brother instead of his teammates. And the way he always seems to know what I need—a chair to prop up my foot or a goldfish because mine is being held hostage at my dad’s house.
I didn’t even realize I missed the fish until I was holding Captain Dash in my hands. I like how low-maintenance fish are, just chilling in their bowl, waiting for food.
I set up my fish last night and then promptly took a photo to send Dad to let him know we were now twins. He sent back a selfie of him giving a thumbs-up with Princess Goldiefin in the background. I’m surprised the thing is still alive.
I never really wanted to leave her, but it didn’t seem right to take my fish when every other living thing in the house was leaving. And Dad had liked the fish more than Mom did anyway.
Maybe they’re small, but Austin seems to notice things that other people don’t. I like that about him.
And the second he appears in the classroom, wearing a light purple shirt that sparks the green in his eyes, I have to admit that one: the freshmen girls were right, and two: I more than like him. I have a full-blown crush.
The bell rings as soon as Austin slides into his seat.
“Hey,” I say in the exact same way I have all week. Except today the excitement thrumming through my veins is notched up a level. I like him. What’s the use in fighting it? Maybe this could be something. If nothing else, some flirting and fun getting to know each other better.
Except Austin doesn’t look nearly as happy to see me as I am him. He barely looks at me as he gives me an errant chin dip.
“Hey.” Even his tone is off.
My stomach drops, and my face warms with unexplained embarrassment like I’ve done something wrong, only I don’t know what I did. Austin continues to stare toward the front of the class. Taking a deep breath, Itry to shake it off. Maybe it’s not me and he’s just having a bad day.
Mrs. Randolph takes her place in front of the blackboard and begins explaining our first big assignment of the quarter. I’m listening but watching Austin out of the corner of my eye.
His body language is casual and disinterested in everything happening around him. He’s got a black pen in his right hand, and he absently scribbles on the front cover of his sketch pad.
I take out my notebook under the guise of taking notes on the assignment but instead write outEverything okay?and slide my notebook in front of him.
