Page 127 of Stealing for Keeps
Her words make my chest tighten. I’m glad for her, but seeing her all lit up and excited just makes me miss her all the more.
“It’s only a start. I applied for a job too.”
“You did?” I don’t know why, but it makes me smile. Maybe it’s seeing her come alive with all the possibilities that have been waiting for her.
“Yeah. The rink is looking for weekend help running the front counter.” She sort of shrugs it off.
“You went to the rink?”
She nods. “Yeah. You were right. It was time.”
“You’ve had a big week.”
“I had a lot of time on my hands,” she says, and I wonder if she’s felt like every day has lasted an eternity not talking or hanging out like I have. “My parents don’t know about the cheer team, so I probably shouldn’t go around telling everyone.”
It’s none of my business, but I want to have a stern talk with her mother in advance to make sure she doesn’t kill Claire’s happiness like she seems to be so good at doing.
“I’m really excited for you. About all of it.”
“Thanks.”
Lacey calls her name from the door. I keep staring at her as Claire turns her head. Lacey motions that she’s leaving.
“I gotta go,” Claire says. “I’ll see you later.”
“Yeah.”
I watch her go, wishing things were different. Maybe she was right to end things like she did. The time apart seems to have been good for her. But it doesn’t make me miss her any less.
Rowan throws an arm around my shoulders, and Vaughn steps up to my other side.
“Now what?” Rowan asks.
“What do you mean, now what?” Vaughn’s voice has a teasing edge to it. “We have practice in the morning.”
“And I’m still grounded.” I angle my body to face him.
“So we’ll go to your house,” Rowan says. “Your mom loves me.”
“I’ve gotta get home and study,” Vaughn says.
“Nope. Uh-uh. It’s Friday night, and it’s my birthday, which means tonight I’m the captain. And with my first order, I demand that you come with us. Sleepover at the Kellers’ house.” His eyes light up. “Do you think your mom will make me pancakes in the morning?”
I actually do think she will, but I just shake my head at him.
“Ooh…pancakes.” Vaughn suddenly sounds a little more interested. “I could go for some pancakes.”
“If you two get me in more trouble, I’m kicking both your asses,” I say, starting for my car.
“As if he could,” I hear Rowan mutter behind me, followed by an agreeing scoff from Vaughn.
“I heard that,” I call over my shoulder.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Claire
Over the next week, I fall into a new normal. Immediately after school, I have cheer practice. We meet at the school rink, and while the hockey teams are using the ice, we work in the lobby area, rehearsing cheers and coming up with ideas for new ones. As soon as the boys’ team is done and heads to the training room, we go out on the ice. It’s my favorite part.
