Page 84 of Stealing for Keeps
As the second period is about to begin, more of the soccer team fills the bleacher in front of us: Barrett, the twins, Blake, and a couple of freshmen. They’re talkative and loud, but I’m struggling to pay attention to anyone. It’s like all my senses are attuned only to Austin. The brush of his shoulder against mine, the smell of his familiar woodsy scent, and the occasional smile he gives me when I chance looking at him.
Vaughn hasn’t said anything to me directly, but he does give me a chin lift as the nachos are passed down and we make eye contact. I relax a little. It’s chill. We can all hang out, and it’s fine.
As the action on the ice starts up, I stop stressing about it completely. I’m still acutely aware of every move Austin makes, but I start to enjoy myself cheering on the team and sharing Skittles. He bought three packs.
He’s divvying out another handful for me when Eli turns around in front of us.
“Yo, Disco. There’s your girlfriend.”
At first, I think he means me, and an icy feeling rushes from my head to my toes. But then all the guys look out onto the ice where the hockey cheerleaders are in a line anddoing a school cheer. Carefully, I keep my smile intact and my attention forward.
It’s easy to spot which one they mean when Barrett says, “I would not throw Jenn out of bed with me.”
“You wish,” Eli tosses back.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” Austin says quickly with a hint of annoyance in his tone.
“You two look pretty cozy in English class.” Eli angles his body to grin at Austin.
“We were paired up on a project,” he says. “That’s it.”
“Oh, and the library during free period?”
“Again, working on a project.” Austin’s voice sounds like he’s gritting his teeth.
“Figures you get the hottest girl in class, and I get paired up with this idiot.” Eli nudges Eddie next to him.
The twins banter back and forth, and nobody mentions Jenn again, but my mind is reeling.
The whole thing sounds so similar. I bite on the corner of my lower lip as I consider this new information. Is it possible I’ve misread all the signs with Austin? We’ve become friends, sure, but is that all I am? Have I been freaking out about my feelings for no reason?
Austin’s knee bumps against mine, bringing me out of my thoughts. It could be an accident, but then he keeps it there.
“You gotta admit she’s smoking hot, bro,” Barrett says without glancing back. His eyes are still glued to Jenn as the cheerleaders take a seat in the front row.
“I’ve seen hotter.”
The guys all hoot and laugh at him.
When I finally chance looking at him, Austin is smiling at me.
* * *
After the game, people leave quickly. Vaughn left the second the buzzer sounded, as did several of the other guys. Lacey, Rowan, Austin, and I walk out together.
“Where’d your sister go?” Rowan asks Austin.
He stares down at his phone, jaw tight. “Left early, I guess. She texted me a few minutes ago that she didn’t need a ride.”
Rowan bobs his head. “Are you still good to take me home?”
“Of course,” Austin says, sliding his phone into his pocket.
“I can take you,” Lacey says. “You’re on my way home, and I’m taking Claire anyway.”
“I live in the opposite direction of Claire.” Rowan smiles at me apologetically.
“I don’t mind,” I say. “She can take you first, or I can call my mom and see if she can come get me. She’ll sigh all annoyed, but she’ll do it.”
