21. Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Tyler
" M an, Coach Harbin was tough on us today," I say to Brian as we head to my truck after practice.
"I know. I can't believe he made us run gassers just because some of the guys were goofing off," Brian says as he throws his gym bag onto the floorboard of my truck then sits in the passenger seat.
I sit down heavily behind the steering wheel and let out a sigh. I am so glad to be off my feet. "How many times did we run the width of the field and back? I lost count."
"I think I counted five, maybe six." Brian leans his head back and stretches his legs out in front of him.
My stomach growls. "I think we need protein. Wanna get a burger and a shake?"
"Yes!" Brian pumps his fist. "I'm starving."
I drive us over to Riley's Diner and when we walk in, my stomach growls again upon smelling the place. The scent of burgers grilling and coffee brewing double the hunger I was feeling before we walked in. A waitress takes us to a booth and we give her our order since I'm so hungry. I feel like I could eat my own hand right now.
"So, you're going to Snowball with Sara. That's cool," Brian says.
I nod. "Yeah, she's really sweet. It should be fun." I take a sugar packet out of the holder and fidget with it.
"But…" Brian says, looking at me with raised brows, prompting me for more.
"But what?" I say as the waitress brings us each a water and a chocolate shake.
"Dude, I know you, you're holding something back," Brian says as he pushes his straw into his thick shake.
I tear the paper off my straw and do the same, then take a long sip, giving myself brain freeze. I wince. Brian is still looking at me expecting a response. "I was kinda hoping that Sloane Warren would ask me."
"Really?" Brian's eyes go wide with surprise. "She's pretty and all, but she's so quiet and seems like a goody-goody. I think you'll have more fun with Sara."
"Actually, she's really cool. I sit next to her in marine bio. She has great taste in music and is pretty funny." Just thinking about her makes me smile.
"Huh." Brian says. "I had Pre-Algebra with her in ninth grade. Sat right behind her. She was nice, but super quiet. Like didn't say much at all."
"What do you think of her?" I ask as our waitress arrives with our burgers and fries.
"I don't, actually." When I cock my head Brian explains, "I mean, she's kind of like anonymous or something. Like you don't know she's there. But Sara…she's bubbly and bright. I think she'd be more fun at the dance."
Brian takes a bite of his burger. "Maybe," I say, then take a bite of my own.
"Besides, I don't think Sloane is into dances and stuff. I don't think I've ever seen her at one."
"Really?" I'm surprised to hear this, but Brian's been in school with her much longer than I have.
"Yeah, but, if you wanted to go with Sloane, why didn't you just ask her?" Brian says between chewing. "Just because it's Snowball, doesn't mean a guy can't ask a girl."
"I almost did. Well, I almost asked her at the party if she was going. You know, to open the door, feel things out, but we got interrupted." Brian has another mouthful, so I continue. "Then, when I saw her a little later, she totally looked away like, not even interested. And, she was kind of weird in class today."
"How do you mean?" Brian takes another bite of his burger.
"I don't know. She seemed happier talking to Billy than me. She normally seems happy to see me and she wasn't like that at all today." I chomp on a fry.
"Maybe she asked someone else?"
I think about Sloane asking someone else to the dance and my heart sinks a little.
"You didn't have to say yes to Sara," Brian says.
"I know." I toss my napkin on the table. "I guess it felt like Sloane wasn't going to ask me. I like Sara, too, and want to go to the dance, so…" I take a long sip of my milkshake, then lean forward and say, "Repeat this and I'll kill you, but—I don't think I'm cool enough for Sloane."
"What? That's crazy." Brian looks at me like I have three heads. "If that's so, it's her loss, Homes. She'd be lucky to take you to Snowball." Brian shoves a few fries in his mouth.
"She's not like other girls, and it's cool," I dunk a fry into some ketchup. "She doesn't seem to be into all the cliques and stuff, like she's a free-thinker and I love that."
"Yeah, well, you are that way yourself, so I could see why that appeals to you." Brian has finished off his burger and wipes his hands on a paper napkin, tossing it on the table when he's done. "I hate to say it, but maybe she's not into jocks. If she's super into music, she may be the artsy type who wants some brooding artist or musician who's pale and skinny."
I laugh. "I can be brooding."
Now it's Brian's turn to laugh. "Tell me about it." He stretches his legs under the table. "Man, I swear Coach is trying to kick our butts before the playoffs."
I'm grateful for the change of subject. "I know, I'm starting to feel it now."
"Dude, I think we're good enough to make it to State," Brian says, his eyes serious.
I nod, then have déja vu. "Wait. Sloane said that to me months ago."
"That we could go to State?" Brian cocks his head.
"Yeah, I almost forgot that we talked about football. She's really into it. Apparently, her whole family is. Baseball too." The conversation is flooding back from the recesses of my brain.
"Huh," Brian says. "And you're sure she's not into you?"
I shrug. "Man, I don't know. Normally, it's so easy to tell if a girl is into me. Like with Sara. There's this excitement in their eyes and, I don't know, I can just tell. With Sloane, sometimes I think she might be into me, but other times, I'm not so sure."
Brian leans back against the booth. "Like I said, maybe you're just not her type. She is really nice and friendly to everyone, maybe that's all it is?"
"Maybe you're right. Maybe she doesn't want to date a jock." I think for a moment as I sip my shake.
"That's got to be it," Brian says. "You're a stud, man. I see the way girls look at you. You could have any of them."
Yeah, but the one I want doesn't want me, I think to myself.