Page 137 of Stealing for Keeps
They’re finally situated to redo the play. Barrett gives them five tries, but it only takes two before they get the timing right and the ball soars to the goal just like it did earlier today.
The guys on the team celebrate just like they did then. Lacey and I watch, smiling and laughing. I catch Austin’seye across the yard, and he grins at me. He extricates himself from the celebration and jogs over to me. Lacey excuses herself, waggling her fingers as she leaves us.
“You didn’t lose. I guess I can’t kiss you.”
“New dare.” His hands find mine, and he closes the distance between us. “We kiss whenever we want.”
And then he kisses me.
“Kissing you with everyone watching used to be exactly what I wanted.”
“And now?” He cocks a dark brow like he’s unsure where I’m going with that statement.
“Now I kinda wish we were alone.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Austin
The art show is held in the basketball gym. Each group is set up around the perimeter. Our collections are displayed on the wall against a white brick backdrop. It’s not exactly museum-style lighting and presentation, but it looks pretty good.
Speaking of looking good…
Claire’s smile is nervous as people start to filter in, but she looks gorgeous. Black long-sleeved dress and boots that come up over her knees. She is stunning. I know because every time I look at her, I feel stunned.
I’m a little anxious too. This collection is a big percentage of our grade, and putting my art up for people to see is not something I ever really wanted. I draw for me and sometimes Claire. Okay, most days, I draw for Claire.
We’ve kept exchanging my sketchbook. It’s almost time to buy a new one, and I’ll be sad to move on. This one is filled with pages of us getting to know each other and falling in love.
But since I don’t plan to stop falling any time soon, Iimagine there will be plenty of used sketchbooks in our future.
Mrs. Randolph is the first to swing by.
I step up to her, blocking her from entering our little square. She could see behind me if she moved a foot either direction, but she plays along.
“Password?” I ask quietly.
“Knights Territory.”
I step to the side to let her by. Claire stands next to our pieces, hands clasped in front of her. Underneath our centerpiece is a small table with colored pencils and markers. Mrs. Randolph takes it all in, smiling as she does.
“This looks great, you two.” She glances between us and then back to our art. “I love the title. It’s a great name for a show, and this is clever.” She steps forward and points to the empty paper. “I assume this is for everyone here tonight to add their own art?”
“Yes.” Claire nods. “Or just add their names or a quote, whatever you want. We all leave our mark on the people we meet and the places we go differently.”
“That we do.” Mrs. Randolph continues to soak in each piece before she goes over and grabs a red pencil from the cupholder, then she writesA+in the right-hand corner and circles it. “Well done.”
“Is that for real?” I ask.
“Yes. This collection is fantastic. You two really worked well together, and you’re both so talented. Congratulations. Enjoy tonight.”
When she’s gone, Claire and I hug and beam at each other with excitement.
“We did it,” she says.
“Was there any doubt? Your paintings stole the show.”
She looks like she’s about to disagree or talk me up, but I kiss her so she can’t. When we break apart, her face is flushed, and I successfully distracted her long enough that she seems to have forgotten what she was going to say.
