Chapter 28 Easton
Easton
I was about to kiss Harper at the rink last night.
I was so close to her lips.
Pink nose, pink cheeks.
Wide eyes.
She totally wanted me to, and there was nothing stopping me until fucking Coach Waller pissed on the moment.
The vibrating buzz of my cell phone stops my thoughts, and I fumble for it on the nightstand. Half awake, I swipe at the screen, ready to dismiss whatever notification is interrupting my morning.
Then I see her name.
Maddie Miller.
For a second, I think I’m dreaming. Or hallucinating. There is no way she just texted me.
This must be a mistake.
I forget about kissing Harper. Forget about the way she looked at me when I made that shot. The way her lips parted when I almost kissed her again last night.
I sit up so fast I nearly fall out of bed and knock a water bottle from my end table.
“Holy shit.”
Maddie Miller: Morning!!!!!!
I stare as three dots fill my screen. What could she possibly want? My brain cannot handle this kind of excitement so early in the morning.
Maddie: Super rando question but, like, since you don’t live far from my house I was wondering if I could catch a ride to school? My mom is taking my car to get the oil changed.
The first thing my brain registers is: She wants a favor. From me. The second is: Is this a joke?
Am I delirious right now?
I rub the sleep from my eyes, searching my screen for the time.
Shit, it’s early.
Super fucking early.
I blink several more times, waiting for my brain to catch up with reality. Maddie Miller is asking me for a favor. Harper said I was manifesting her and she was not wrong; I am holding the proof in my hand. She needs a ride to school.
Her + me + my car.
Together.
The thought sends a jolt of adrenaline through my half-awake body. This is either the greatest moment of my life or the setup for a very cruel joke—because I DO NOT HAVE A FUCKING CAR.
My thumb hovers over the keyboard as I try to figure out how to respond.
Do I just tell her I don’t drive myself to school? Or do I make a sarcastic comment about how she should text someone she’s actually friends with to take her?
Fuck. I am freaking out, man!
She could have asked anyone for a ride—literally anyone—but she’s asking me. And even though I have no idea where she actually lives (I’d never be creepy enough to investigate or look it up for no reason), I’m determined to find out.
“Oh God, what do I do?” I moan. Except guess what? God doesn’t care, and he’s not going to jump out of the closet to help.
I run a hand through my messy hair.
Maddie is expecting me to say yes—otherwise she wouldn’t have texted me. Would she think I’m blowing her off completely if I say no?
I can’t tell her no. Not when part of the reason I’m in the mess with Harper is because of a dare—one concerning Maddie.
Me: Morning. Uh. Hold on for one second, k?
Throwing off my blanket, I stumble out of bed. There’s only one person who can help me, and that person is my mother.
I sprint out of my room, dash down the hallway at a frantic pace, and throw open my parents’ bedroom door. I don’t bother knocking; I fling it open like Indiana fucking Jones and race directly toward the bed.
Dad’s already off on his usual pre-office workout. Mom is still asleep—but this is an emergency and it cannot wait! A Maddie Miller–sized emergency. Mom will understand. I shake her awake, hands on her shoulders, gently hissing her name.
“Mom!” I hiss. “Ma! Mom. Mom.”
She groans.
“Mom. Mom. Mom. Are you awake?”
Her eyes crack open. “Oh my god, Easton—what?”
“I need your car.” I waste no time blurting it out. “It’s an emergency.”
My mother pushes herself up on her elbows, trying to make sense of the situation. “An emergency?” Her voice is gravelly. “What’s going on? Is someone hurt?”
Of course she would assume something bad happened.
“No one is hurt.” I inhale a deep breath and let it out in one long, run-on sentence. “Maddie Miller texted me and needs a ride to school and since I don’t have a car I can’t drive her and if I don’t take her she’ll think I don’t like her or something.”
My verbal diarrhea is next-level.
My mother blinks, trying to process everything I just said. Trying to wake up.
“Maddie Miller?” She yawns. “Who is Maddie Miller?”
“Please, Mom. She’s a girl from school,” I explain. “Please let me borrow your car.”
She’s awake now, coming to life, switching to Mom mode by asking twenty questions. “Is that the girl you liked sophomore year? I thought she was mean to you. Why do you need my car?” She reaches for her phone to check the time. “Easton. It is barely six in the morning.”
I am well aware.
“I know, Mom, but this an emergency. I can bring it back after lunch, I swear.”
“You’re being so intense.” Her eyes slide closed. “I haven’t had coffee yet…”
Determined, I double down on my whining. “I’ll fill the tank with gas. Please, Mom.” I hover over her, sounding as desperate as I feel.
She cracks one eye open, yawning. “Wait. I thought you liked Harper.” Another long, loud yawn follows. “She’s so cute.”
“I do like Harper,” I admit quickly. That’s not the point.
The point is, I’ve had a crush on Maddie Miller for years, and if I don’t take her to school today, I might never find out if there’s an actual chance for something to happen between us.
This is fate handing me an opportunity, and I’m not about to let it slip away.
“Please,” I beg again, shifting my tone to something softer, more pitiful. “I’ll bring the car back in perfect shape. Full tank. Spotless. Whatever you want.”
Mom sighs, sinking deeper into her pillow, her eyes fluttering. She presses her fingers to her temples.
“You’re being ridiculous right now, Easton.”
“Mom. I’m not kidding. I’m begging, here.”
I clasp my hands together in prayer, leaning closer. She doesn’t open her eyes this time, but there’s a flicker of a tired smile on her lips. A good sign, that smile—or maybe a bad one?
The suspense is killing me.
Then her eyelids flutter open, damn near giving me a stroke.
“You’ll bring the car back full tank, no scratches?” she finally says, in a daze.
“Yes!” I shout a little too loudly, vowing, “Full tank. No scratches.” I pause. “I’ll even wash it if you want.”
She sighs dramatically, waving a hand in the air. “Fine. Get out of here before I’m fully awake and change my mind.”
HELL YEAH!
“I won’t drive like an asshole, promise!”
I lean down to kiss her cheek before bolting out of her room, her muffled groan following me as I race down the hallway.
I’ve got a car. I’ve got a chance!
Maddie Miller, here I come!
I bolt back to my room, panting like I just skated thirty laps around the rink, and grab my phone. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I’m giddy to type out the following message:
Me: I can pick you up. What time?
Maddie: OMG, thank you!!! 7:00? You’re the best
Holy crap—she used a smiley face. I can’t fucking breathe.
Me: No problem. Just text me your address, and I’ll see you then!
She does, and I quickly map out my route on my phone.
I have plenty of time before I need to leave, but my brain is freaking out.
Shit, what am I going to wear? I mean, I should at least look decent, right?
Normally I’d throw on sweats and a hoodie and call it a day—but today is definitely not that day.
I scan at my reflection in the mirror and wince. “You look like shit, bruh.”
I look like total ass.
Bags under my eyes, hair doing its own thing—a complete mess.
I rifle through my closet, hoping for a miracle. Something clean. Maybe something in the right shade of blue to match my eyes? Girls notice that kind of thing, don’t they?
I toss aside a wrinkled shirt and a sweatshirt that hasn’t seen the washing machine in weeks, muttering under my breath.
Why is this hard? I want to make an effort.
I pull on some pants and head to the bathroom. Brush my teeth, splash water on my face in an effort to look alive. My hair’s a mess, but I manage to tidy it with my brother’s gel.
I’m not freaking out—you’re freaking out!
By the time I’m done, it’s almost 6:30 and I haven’t eaten breakfast. I stuff a bagel in my mouth. Grab a juice.
Then it’s go time.
At 6:55 I grab my phone, car keys, and backpack and head to the driveway, where Mom’s car is parked ’cause only my dad’s fits inside the garage.
The engine hums softly as I back out, excitement building in my chest.
Today is going to be great!
Life is good!
I whistle as the world goes by, rolling down my window and resting an arm on the sill. The streets are empty, soft morning light glinting off the houses as I make my way to her place. Birds chirp. The grass is greener.
Yes, a great day indeed.
I adjust the rearview mirror, checking my reflection and then the clock on the dash, rehearsing how I’m going to greet her. Casual but confident. Relaxed, like I do this every day.
“I’ve got this.”
After an eternity I pull up to Maddie’s house.
Two seconds later she’s stepping out.
Heart stutters. Sweat beads at my temples. Panic.
Abort. Abort!
“Dude, get a grip.” This is no big deal. I can do this.
Maddie looks perfect—she always does—blond hair falling around her shoulders, jeans slung around her waist, beige tank top.
I swear, she’s prettier than she was yesterday.
She walks with her head down, face in her phone, barely acknowledging me as she approaches the car.
I lean over and push the door open for her, offering a smile I hope doesn’t look desperate.
“Morning.”
She slides into the passenger seat without looking at me, thumbs flying over her cell screen like I don’t even exist.
“Hey,” she mutters, not bothering to look up.
I blink.
It’s fine.
She’s just busy. A girl like her has way more going on than I do.
I ease the car onto the road, trying to ignore the awkwardness already settling between us.
“So. How’s it going?” I swallow the lump in my throat. “You, uh, look great today.”
Finally, she glances at me, eyebrows raised. “I know.”
Okay.