24. Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Tyler
I head to gym class, glad that Brian and I have it together because I'm so conflicted right now. Sloane Warren said I was good-looking in class today, right after she told me and Billy about the hot, cool guy she met at a Dinosaur Jr. concert. This shouldn't even bother me because I'm dating Sara and she's great. So why am I even thinking about this?
After we change, Brian and I head to the track because we're not allowed to risk an injury while we're still in football season, the state championship being our next and final game of the season. I should be thinking about that, but instead, I'm thinking about Sloane. My hands are tucked deep in my sweatshirt pocket as we walk the track on this cold afternoon.
"So, tell me what's up now that we're out here by ourselves," Brian says as we jog down the cement steps that lead to the track around the football field. "Is it the game? Because we're as ready as we're ever going to be and lucky that our team isn't beat up."
I inhale a deep breath and let it out before replying. "No, it's not the game." I pause. "This shouldn't even be on my mind and I don't know why I'm thinking about it." I say as we reach the track and start walking. "But, Sloane told me I was good looking today in marine bio."
Brian's face looks all screwed up. "She just flat out said that?"
I shake my head. "No, she had just told us about this guy she met at a concert at the Masquerade over the weekend and she, Billy, and I got into this whole conversation about cliques here. She said no guys at school have ever been interested in her and was pretty happy about this guy she met. Ky." I say his name like it tastes bad.
"Ky? What kind of name is that?" Brian scoffs.
I huff out a laugh. "Yeah, so she was saying that she thinks we're all classified into groups at an early age and since she's been around most of these kids for her whole life, it's hard to change that classification. She told me that I was lucky because I've only been here since last year and I'm a good-looking jock, so it's easier for me."
Brian nods his head as if this makes sense. "So, maybe she is into jocks after all." He grins at me.
"That's the thing, and I feel bad that I'm even thinking about this because Sara is so sweet."
"It's not like you two are engaged," Brian says. "And she's fun, right?"
"Yeah," I nod. "I mean, it's still new, but why am I jealous about this Ky guy?"
"What do you know about him?" Brian asks.
"He's tall, has chin-length brown hair, nineteen, good taste in music, lives in Thomasville, and is apparently so cute." I feel my eyes roll involuntarily at the last part.
"Yeah, but is he pale and skinny?" Brian jokes making me laugh.
"He sounds cool and ballsy because apparently they talked for a minute before the show and he just held her hand midway through."
"Geez, that is ballsy," Brian says as we complete our first lap. "Well, you and Sara are dating and now she's got this Ky guy, so…"
"I know," I run my hand through my hair. "I think it's because she called me good-looking that has me even thinking about all this. Maybe I shouldn't have been so quick to assume that she wasn't into me."
"Well, buddy," Brian pats me on the back, "there's not much you can do about it now. Just see where it goes with Sara and see what happens with this dude. Long distance relationships never work out."
"Yeah," I reply.
"But if you're not into Sara, don't string her along," Brian says.
"I really do like her…I just…like Sloane, too. They're different, you know?" I feel bad even saying this, but it's true.
"Yeah. You'll figure it out, just don't let it get in the way of football, please." Brian grins and elbows me in the side.
I laugh. "No way. Football is the most important thing right now." I'll focus on football and see where all this goes. There's not much else I can do, and hopefully, I won't have to hear about Ky every day.