Page 141 of We Shouldn't Be Together
“I can tell you’re into him, but there’s obviously tension because his friend has a problem with you. If you turn up today, maybe it’ll help the friend accept you? She’ll see that you’re putting in an effort to support Kai.”
“You think?”
“I do. He supports you, right?”
I nod.
Freddy turns me around in the hall. “Then get your coat, and your boots, and we’ll head down to the soccer field.”
“And what if they all yell at me to leave the field?”
“Did I not say I’ll be right beside you?”
I splutter a laugh as I pull on my coat and dig my feet into my ankle boots. “Right, I forgot. The haters are no match when Mr. Popularity turns on his charm powers.”
“Tabby, seriously, I just want to see you happy.”
I meet him back in the hall. “I know. That’s all you ever want.”
He grins. “So we can go?”
“Yes, before Corbin overhears and wants to tag-along.”
“Where are you going?” Corbin calls out.
“Nowhere!” I call back, pushing Freddy down the hall.
“Aw, but he’d be cute on the sidelines,” Freddy says, digging his shoes into the floor runner.
“Fred, no! He’s not coming,” I whine.
Freddy stops resisting and paces alongside me. “Fine. Sorry, Corbs.”
Corbin steps into the hall. “Where are you going without me? The toy store?”
Freddy laughs and I poke my tongue out over my shoulder. “Yeah, Corby,” I tease. “We’re buying out all the Ninja Turtles stock so you can’t get any.”
“Mom!” Corbin yells.
Hurrying, Freddy and I race to the garage before Mom starts defending her little baby.
Due to my lack of confidence and digging in my heels with arguments, we left the house when the game was already well underway. We arrive in the parking lot and find a large crowd on the sidelines.
“Shall we find a good spot?” Freddy asks, marching ahead.
“Stop,” I whisper frantically, signaling him to pull back. “I don’t want to draw attention.”
“It’s not the Tabitha show.”
I roll my eyes; that’s rich, coming from him. “I don’t want his friends to see me and make a big deal. I just want to find a space in the back and watch him play.”
Freddy relents and we find a discreet place to watch, sitting against the fence which borders the parking lot. He then points out the scoreboard with the timer and notes they’re already in the second half of the game.
“And our team’s winning,” he remarks.
I grin, lifting on my tippy toes. “Kai’s winning?”
“It’s a landslide at three-nil. Which one is he?”
