Chapter Twenty-nine Lacey
Chapter Twenty-nine
Lacey
“I think we should go in,” Claire says, giving me a somber look.
I don’t have to glance around to know everyone else is looking at me with the same expression.
“Yeah, of course,” I pipe back, far cheerier than I feel.
I follow my friends into the movie theater. Claire and Austin, Austin’s sister, Rowan, and Torrance. Her friend bailed. And it looks like my date did too.
“It’s not like him to flake.” Rowan’s brows pinch together. “Do you want me to text him?”
He already has his phone out, but I shake my head quickly.
“No, it’s okay. Something probably just came up.”
Despite my words, I have an uneasy feeling swirling in my stomach. I talked to Vaughn an hour ago. He said he had a change of plans and couldn’t pick me up but that he’d meet me at the theater. Maybe that was him trying to blow me off. Why not just say that?
We get in line at the concession stand. Claire keeps sneaking glances back at me, and I keep forcing a smile so she won’t know just how heartbroken I feel.
It’s not just about him not showing. It’s a reminder my feelings for him are bigger than his for me. I always knew this is the way it would go. How many times has he told me he isn’t good at relationships? Being upset he turned out to be exactly the guy he said he was isn’t fair.
“Are you excited for semifinals?” I ask Rowan, desperate to change the conversation and look like I’m not at all upset Vaughn was a no-show.
“Yeah.” His easy smile makes me feel a little bit better already. “Are you coming?”
“Of course. I think the entire town will be there.”
“Frost Lake does love their soccer,” he agrees with a grin.
“That they do.”
The fact that we have a legend like Jude Collins coaching after he had such a successful career in the Premier League is exciting all on its own. Add in the two back-to-back State Championships, and it’s easy to see why they’ve gained such a loyal fanbase.
Some emotion I can’t quite discern crosses his face. “I guess I’ll have to take solace in that, since my parents won’t make it.”
“Your family isn’t coming?”
He recovers quickly, almost like he’s sorry he said it. “They’re gonna try, but you know how it goes with work and schedules.”
Actually, I do know. My dad has missed plenty of school activities.
He hasn’t seen me cheer since I became captain, and last year, he forgot my birthday while working on a big project.
It wasn’t until two days later when he looked at a calendar that he finally remembered.
I’ve never held it against him. He loses himself in work sometimes, but when he is present, I always know how much he loves me.
“I’m sorry,” I say anyway. Regardless of whether or not Rowan’s okay with it, I know it can feel crummy in the moment. Especially with everyone else’s families around to show you that you’re not the same.
“It’s okay. You’re going to cheer loudest for me, right?” He nudges me with an elbow.
“I just might.”
He chuckles softly like he knows I won’t really be cheering loudest for him. “It’s his loss.”
“We’re not…” I trail off. “It’s not that serious. We’re just having fun.”
My stomach bottoms out not liking that assessment any more than the rest of me does. It isn’t about us being serious or not, it’s about wanting him to show up for me. To show me he can make room in his life for something other than soccer.
His gaze lifts over my head and his brows rise. “Are you sure about that?”
I swivel around, following his gaze. Vaughn stands just inside the doors of the theater, scanning the crowd with a look of almost-panic on his face. When his stare finally lands on me, I lift a hand. Relief floods his features, and his lips curve into a wide smile.
My stomach somersaults as he starts toward our group.
“Sorry I’m late,” he says in a rush. He’s holding a big bouquet of flowers—roses, peonies, carnations, and lilies—wrapped in brown paper. “These are for you.”
“Thank you,” I croak, throat dry. My heart has started racing, and I’m well aware that all eyes are on us.
“You made it.” Austin is the first one to break the silence. “And you’re making the rest of us look bad.”
“Yeah, where are my flowers?” Claire asks in a teasing tone.
Austin tips his head toward me. “I think that bouquet is big enough to share.”
I hold it closer to my chest protectively. “Back off my flowers, Disco.”
Everyone laughs, but I wasn’t kidding. They’re gorgeous and all mine.
The line moves up, and we buy snacks and drinks before heading into the movie. We sit, Torrance, Rowan, Austin, Claire, me, and Vaughn in one row. I lay the flowers in my lap. Claire is fighting a smile. She is going to have so much to say about this later.
The previews are already playing, but Vaughn leans over to whisper, “I’m really sorry I was so late. I had to go to three different florists to find one that was still open.”
“You didn’t have to bring me anything,” I say even though I love that he did.
“Yes, I did.” His eyes are locked onto mine as he speaks. “I like you. I like you a lot, and I don’t want to be the guy who sucks at relationships anymore.”
“You don’t suck at it. Not even a little.”
Without breaking my gaze, he reaches for my hand and intertwines our fingers.
* * *
After the movie, the six of us hang out in the parking lot, sitting on the tailgate of Rowan’s old truck and killing time before we all have to be home. I’m sitting between Vaughn’s legs, and his arms are wrapped around my stomach as I lean back into his chest.
Claire and Austin are sitting side by side, but she has one leg thrown over his and his hands rest on her knee.
Torrance hasn’t said much all night. I can’t get a good read on her.
She caused major drama for Claire and Austin earlier this semester when she outed their relationship, but Claire says she apologized, and they’ve moved past it.
I find I hold a grudge a lot longer when someone does something to hurt my best friend than when they hurt me.
I guess that’s why I was so hard on Vaughn when he was with Claire.
Rowan is the center of attention, keeping us all entertained as usual. I’m glad because no one notices when I fall quiet, lost in my thoughts and enjoying the feel of being in Vaughn’s arms.
I’m cozy and happy when Rowan turns his comedy act to us. He waggles a finger at me and Vaughn. “I didn’t see this happening, but it’s cute. Bubbly cheerleader full of team spirit and pep and the broody, serious soccer star with absolutely no team spirit or pep.”
“He has pep,” I say, sticking up for my guy.
My guy? Is Vaughn my guy?
Vaughn chuckles. The sound rumbles against my back. “It’s okay. I really don’t.”
“You do,” I insist, turning in his arms. “It’s just cleverly disguised under your determination and focus.”
“Very cleverly disguised,” Austin adds dryly and so quietly I nearly miss it.
One side of Vaughn’s mouth pulls up, and he lifts a hand in the air, shaking it like he has a pom-pom. “Go team, go.”
He’s adorable.
“See?” I press my lips to his. “You’re full of team spirit.”
He captures my mouth to keep me from pulling away, and I sink into him. The arm around my waist cinches me closer.
“Get a room!” Someone tosses popcorn at us. I expect Vaughn to be embarrassed at the attention, but he slides one hand through my hair and deepens the kiss until they’re all hooting and catcalling at us.
I’m breathless when he finally pulls back.
Meeting his dark blue gaze, I say, “Yep. You definitely have team spirit.”
He hums against my mouth. “I must have gotten it from you.”
* * *
When it’s finally time to go, Vaughn walks me to my car.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” I ask him.
“We have practice in the morning, then I think some of the team is coming over to watch video of Pacific’s last game. What about you?”
“Skating with Claire.”
“Nice. Crossing another one off the list, huh?”
I nod. “And then studying.” SATs are next week, and I am getting increasingly more nervous about it. I need a good score for my college applications. One high enough to impress even Stanford. “I was also thinking of going to the animal rescue to see if they needed any help.”
One side of his mouth lifts. “Say hi to Pip for me.”
“I will.” I drape one arm on his shoulder—my flowers are in my other hand—and rise onto my toes to kiss him.
He steps closer, backing me against the door of my car. The bouquet gets trapped behind me and makes an audible crunching noise.
“I think you just crushed my flowers.” I say, laughing against his lips.
“Don’t worry. I’ll buy you more.”
High School Bucket List
Make a high school memory box ?
Go apple picking ?
Get a piercing
Watch the sunrise from the fifty-yard line on the football field
Learn the “Thriller” dance!
Go on a double date ?
Stay up all night
Volunteer ?
Travel internationally
Kiss someone under the stars ?
Do something scary ?
Go to the homecoming dance with a date
Go ice-skating ?
Have a photo shoot with friends
Go skinny-dipping
Take a road trip with Dad
Leave my mark on Frost Lake High