Chapter Twenty Vaughn
Chapter Twenty
Vaughn
“Nice job, Keller. Collins, good assist.” Barry, our assistant coach, claps his hands in approval. I jog over to Austin, and we bump fists.
Today’s practice has gone well. Even the coaches had little to say as we went through drills. We’re fired up, ready for the next game.
I spot Dad walking out to the field. He disappeared at some point during the last part of our scrimmage, and he has a look on his face that is unreadable now.
We all pause as he walks onto the field.
“Everyone, take a seat,” Dad says, which usually means we’re about to get a lengthy pep talk or he’s going to yell at us for the next fifteen minutes. His mood seems to suggest the former. He doesn’t look pissed, just serious.
When we’re all seated around him, Dad finally starts talking.
“I had a call from the athletic director at Mountainview,” he says. “Their coach and five of their players were out today with the flu.”
“Sucks for them,” our goalie, Barrett, says quietly under his breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear it. People snicker all around.
“We are going to reschedule the regional championship to allow them to recover. Instead of playing Saturday in Mountainview, we’ll play here next Friday.”
The mood has shifted from excitement to anger and frustration. Guys whining that it’s not fair and not our problem that they’re sick comes from all sides.
Dad holds up a hand to silence the commotion. “I know this isn’t what you want. It isn’t what I want either, but it’s the right thing to do. Would you rather beat them by default or because you’ve shown you’re the better team?”
There are some reluctant murmurs for the latter, but none of us wants to wait another week.
Dad continues amid our mumbles of irritation. “We’re going to take tomorrow off. It’s been a long push this season, and I think we could all use the rest. But do not take this as your sign to go out and make bonehead choices. We are still locked in. Still hungry.”
The idea of a day off is enough to completely change their minds and suddenly everyone else seems to be on board. I know what Dad is saying is the right thing to do, but I’m still bummed.
Rowan and I go straight to Austin’s house. We grab drinks from the refrigerator and head to the living room.
“This sucks,” I finally say out loud. I knew the team was watching my reaction too closely to be transparent about my feelings earlier, but I don’t want a night to party. I want to play soccer.
“Yep.” Austin falls onto the couch next to me.
We look to Rowan who shrugs. “I mean, yeah, I’d rather play this weekend, but at least now we can go to Boone’s Halloween party.”
“Yeah.” Austin bobs his head in agreement.
Now they’re looking at me.
“I just want to play.”
“Aww, come on, Cap. The season is almost over. You have to learn to loosen up. Maybe get yourself a new girl.”
I’m quiet for too long. I haven’t told either of them about my feelings for Lacey, but at the mention of getting a new girl, my thoughts go to her.
“What’s that face?” Austin asks.
“He already has someone in mind.” Rowan’s knowing smirk splashes across his face. He gives his head a small shake of surprise. “What the hell, Collins? You’ve been holding out on us.”
“It’s not anything yet,” I say. Probably never.
“Who?” Austin asks.
I glance between my friends. “This doesn’t leave this room.”
Austin is the first to nod his agreement.
My heart rate picks up as I consider whether I’m really going to tell them. Feeling what I do is one thing, it’s not like I can control it, but saying it out loud gives it weight somehow.
Fuck it.
“It’s Lacey.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I wish I could take them back. “Like I said, it isn’t anything. We’ve just been spending a lot of time together. It’s nothing.”
I can feel Rowan and Austin exchanging looks. I take a second before I look at them.
“Just say it. She’d never be into me, and it’s a bad fucking idea for so many reasons.” So many reasons.
“I mean…maybe. You’re opposites, for sure.” Austin looks nervous with this new information.
I huff a laugh. “That’s an understatement.”
“What Austin means is you’re a stoic, serious prick, and she’s the happiest, bubbliest person we know.”
“I know. Trust me, I know. But there’s something about her.” I pull at my hair and stand. Maybe pacing will help. I have too much pent-up energy. When I finally face them, they’re both staring at me with matching sympathetic expressions.
“Does she know?” Austin asks.
“Nah. I haven’t said anything.”
Rowan sits forward, elbows on his knees. “She knows. Lacey is smart, and you’re shit at disguising your feelings.”
Austin takes in that information with me. “Do you think she likes you back?”
“Well, she doesn’t scowl at me anymore.”
Rowan laughs. A big, hearty sound that makes me feel like a chump. He stands and walks to me, then claps me on the shoulder. “That’s something.”
* * *
Later we head to the football game. Claire joins us, snuggling into Austin’s side. Rowan nudges me as he picks our seats directly behind the cheerleaders.
Lacey comes bounding over as soon as she sees us.
“Hey.” She lets her smile travel over all of us before landing back on me. “I heard about the regional game. That sucks.”
“Royally sucks,” Rowan says. “Do you know any hot, brunette cheerleaders who want to console me later?”
A laugh leaves her parted lips. “You’re a terrible flirt.”
“Is that a no?” he asks her.
I send a sideways glare at my buddy. What the fuck? Rowan flirts with everyone, but hours after I told him I liked Lacey, now he’s singling her out. Nah, he’s up to something.
Lacey steals a quick glance at me before asking her own question, “Where are you guys going later?”
Rowan’s lips twist into a smirk. “Not sure yet. Want to hang out with me?”
Andie calls for Lacey and she turns and nods to her before returning her attention to us.
“I gotta go cheer. I’ll catch up with you guys later.” With that she starts to walk backward.
“Go team!” Claire yells.
Lacey raises her pom-poms up to shoulder level and shakes them. Then with one last glimpse at me, Lacey heads back to her cheerleaders.
Rowan nudges me again.
“Seriously?” I ask through gritted teeth.
“What?” he asks like he didn’t just ask out Lacey an hour after I told him I liked her.
“Are you trying to piss me off?”
“Relax, Cap. I’m helping you out.”
Helping me out? He’s kidding, right?
“How did that help me exactly?” I ask, hoping he has a magical answer that will keep me from wanting to punch him.
He sighs like I’m a lost case. Did he not just ask her out? Because I don’t see how that is helping me. In fact, I feel considerably less relaxed than I did a few minutes ago.
“I asked her out.”
“Yeah, I heard that.” I glare at him again. Not that he seems intimidated. He fucking laughs.
“And what did she say?”
I pause and think back. “She called you a flirt.”
“Uh-huh.” His words are slow, like he’s leading me to some epic conclusion.
“You are,” I tell him. “The worst flirt ever.”
“Yep.” He nods along, not bothering to deny it. “And when I pushed her to give me an answer, what’d she say then?”
He’s baiting me like I’m a kid who isn’t understanding the adult conversations around him. Fuck, I’m not. Maybe I am an idiot.
“She asked what you were doing later.”
“Uh-uh. No, not me.”
My head is starting to hurt. “She said, ‘What are you guys doing later?’”
“Look at you. A plus.”
I flip him off, and he just cackles. Fucker.
“What is your point?”
“She didn’t want to know what I was doing.
She wanted to know what we were doing. Not me.
Not Austin, because he’s obviously going to be hanging with Claire.
Which means she wanted to make sure you were going to be there, Cap.
” He bumps me with his shoulder now and I’m sure he’s got that annoying smirk on his face, but I’m not looking at him anymore. I’m looking at Lacey.
She glances back at the same time and our eyes lock. My pulse ratchets up. Maybe, just maybe, she’s feeling whatever this is between us too.
* * *
We don’t end up hanging out later. Austin and Claire bail to do something together, and then it feels awkward, like Rowan set us up where the girl doesn’t know it’s a date.
I don’t even know if I want it to be a date.
At home, I plop down on my bed and pull out my phone. Staring at Lacey’s contact, I tap out a text before I can think too hard about it.
Me: Studying?
Her reply comes just a few seconds later, like she was holding her phone in her hands.
Lacey: No, but I should be. SATs are soon.
I’m about to ask her what she’s doing instead, when a picture comes through. It’s some sort of shirt or dress. A skirt maybe. Fuck, maybe it’s a curtain. The material is silver and glittery. Very Lacey.
After the pictures she sends another text.
Lacey: I’m working on my Halloween costume for tomorrow. Are you going to the party?
Me: I’m not sure. What are you dressing up as?
Lacey: Come and find out.
* * *
The following night, with no idea what to dress up as and feeling uncertain about showing up to Boone’s without a costume, I’m lying in bed watching video of Pacific High School’s soccer team.
We’ll play them next if we win our regional championship.
They’ve been inconsistent this season, but when they’re on, they look as good as any other team in the state. Including us.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I set my laptop on the coffee table before pulling it out.
Rowan: Where are you?
Before I can reply, he sends another.
Rowan: Get to Boone’s house. NOW.
And then, as if he assumed I was going to make an excuse or say no, he sends a picture. It’s of him and Lacey, both in costume, with the party in the background. Rowan is a vampire, complete with face makeup and fake teeth. I chuckle at his costume, but it’s Lacey’s that has me sucking in a breath.