Page 33 of Enemy Crush
A smile curled my lips. “I can see that.”
I walked with Mason down the lane, repeating the offer to borrow my books. He politely thanked me again and I went inside feeling happier than I had in a long time.
Despite the disappointment of not making the soccer team, my school work was going well, I’d joined the Art Club, I’d learned to clean, I’d driven the riding mower, and my secret was still safe. But best of all, I’d be able to surprise my friends and catch up with them this weekend.
Chapter 12
MILLER
“Are you coming for a drive to town?” Dad poked his head in my bedroom door where I was still under my blankets. He had his first weekend off for months and was going to Pine Ridge so Mason could spend his book voucher. Originally, I said yes, but since discovering the envelope, I’d been in a bad mood and couldn’t get past it.
It had dragged on for a week now, and the countless times Dad had asked what my problem was, I’d shrugged and muttered ‘Nothing’ and shut myself in my room or taken off on my bike. I hadn’t even helped him on the Mustang which was not like me at all.
“Nah,” I groaned, pretending I’d been asleep.
“Come on, what’s wrong with you?” Dad snapped. “Get yourself out of bed!”
“I’m going mountain biking with Brayden later,” I lied, which immediately made me feel bad, but I could make it happen.
Dad grunted and shook his head, slamming my door in much the way I’d been doing all week. I waited till I heard his truck go before getting out of bed.
Luckily, Brayden was cool for mountain biking, but it had to be now, because he had plans in the afternoon. I got myself ready in record time and arranged to meet up at the trail.
I was being a fool over the whole birthday card thing, I knew that, overthinking it when a simple conversation could fix it. ButI seemed intent on holding onto the misery, to punish Dad and Mason. In other words, be a jerk.
I’d pretty much ignored Mason all week, not checking on him at lunch break or asking about his school work. Though, to be fair, he’d been hanging out in his room after dinner, probably reading. I’d noticed a new book with a green cover and the 467 page book was no longer around.
But the idea of a confrontation and learning the truth terrified me. What if Mom and Dad and Mason were in this cozy secret relationship and I was on the outer? What if they were bonding and playing happy families without me?
My lack of focus caused me to miscalculate a corner and my bike ended up at a standstill on the narrow trail. Brayden, close behind, didn’t react quick enough and rammed into me. We ended up a tangle of bikes and bodies. Picking ourselves up, Brayden ranted about why I’d stopped so suddenly. I’d blasted his slow reflexes, but we laughed hysterically over the silly crash. And it was the best I’d felt for a few days.
I stopped at Brayden’s house to clean up after the fall and his Mom invited me to stay for lunch. I couldn’t refuse, especially as there was nothing to rush home to. Dad had texted that he and Mase would catch a movie, fueling my conspiracy theory over the cozy family scenario.
We made our own sandwiches and sat out on the Sims’s back patio. Brayden’s younger sister, Abby, brought out cans of soda and a plate of chocolate chip cookies.
“Did you make these?” I asked Abby, taking the biggest one. Cycling—and no breakfast—meant I was starving.
“Yep,” she said.
“They’re so good,” I mumbled with my mouth full. For all my cooking skills, neither Dad nor I had learned how to bake. Oreos were our go-to cookie treat. I was hoping I’d learn some recipes in the Health and Nutrition class.
We chatted about the Spud Harvest, the word out that it was going to be the following week. Brayden had decided not to do it. The soccer team played two games a week and with a heavy training schedule, he didn’t want the added pressure of working, especially as he hoped for a scholarship. Plus, he didn’t need the money like I did.
“How’d your soccer game go?” I asked Abby, who was sipping on a sugar-free soda.
“Not good,” Abby said with a pout. “We lost 6-1.”
“Geez, that sounds more like a tennis score,” I joked.
“That’s two losses out of two,” Abby said. “We lost our first game 8 to nil.”
“Wow.” I tried not to laugh at the annihilation.
But Brayden was less sensitive. “Your team sucks,” he chuckled.
Abby scrunched her nose. “Yeah, well everyone’s wondering why Sadie got in the team and the new girl didn’t.”
“The new girl?” I asked, weirdly breathless with anticipation that she was referring to Quinn.
