Chapter Twelve Summer #2
I could blame it on the fact that I’m pretending to be his girlfriend or needing to cheer for him so the girls aren’t suspicious, but in reality, he’s just fun to watch.
He takes risks more often than I would, attempts tougher passes, gets more looks at the net.
I’m more aggressive on defense than offense.
It’s where I feel more comfortable. Rowan seems to transition between the two with equal ease.
And his risks pay off more often than they don’t.
In his final minutes on the field, he makes a crazy back-heel-flick goal.
I’m on my feet and yelling with zero thought of anyone else. Adrenaline courses through me.
The goal puts Frost Lake up by four and Coach Collins subs him out.
After Rowan accepts congratulations from his teammates and coach, he looks up at the bleachers.
I smile as big as I can at him. Wearing his number might be for show, but I’m so genuinely giddy about the goal, I don’t even need to fake it.
Rowan flashes me the cocky grin I expected earlier and then winks.
With the shake of my head, I sit back down.
With Frost Lake trampling Ralley, more people are moving around.
Half the team gets up to hit the concession stand one last time or head to Freddie’s Pizza, which is apparently where everyone is going tonight after the game.
Amanda is among the few left. She’s been sitting a bleacher down and far enough to the right that we haven’t interacted, but now she eyes the empty space and moves to sit next to me. MJ is on my other side, but she’s talking to another teammate and can’t save me.
“Hey,” Amanda says as she places her feet up on the bleacher in front of us.
“Hi,” I reply.
“Rowan’s having a good game.” She’s looking at the field, but I still flush hot.
“He is.”
“You must be his lucky charm.” She side-eyes me and smiles. I try and fail to detect any hidden animosity. Is it possible for her to want him back and not hate me for dating him?
“Or he’s just really freaking talented.”
She laughs. “He is, but I know having people here for him is a big deal.”
I contemplate my next words carefully, trying to decide if I can ask the thing I want without giving too much away. Will she know Rowan and I are faking it if it’s clear I have no idea what his family situation is like?
I rationalize that even if we were dating, it would be new.
“His parents really never come?” I ask her.
“Not once as far as I know.”
My brows lift and I feel the weight of that knowledge heavy on my chest. “Wow. I can’t imagine.”
“I know. Me either,” she says. “Sometimes I wish my parents would stay home, but they’re always there. Dad yelling at the refs and Mom cheering at all the wrong times.” She looks at me again. “She is clueless about soccer, but she tries.”
We share a small laugh. My parents know enough, and they don’t yell inappropriately, but I still get it.
“Have you met them?” she asks.
“Rowan’s parents?” My question comes out like why in the world would I have met his parents?
She nods and glances back at the field. I look back at Rowan. He’s on the sideline next to Vaughn. The two of them are laughing and smiling.
“Yeah. Briefly.” It isn’t a lie exactly but perhaps a wild exaggeration. I’m not about to tell her I was their server and dumped water in his dad’s lap.
“Really?” She gives me her full attention again and I wish I’d been more exact in my language. Something like, “I was in their presence once” or “I ran into them at the country club.”
“Barely,” I say, and it feels like it’s the right thing to make her feel better because I’m almost certain there’s a flash of hurt in her expression. “You?”
“No. Never.” Her body language stiffens. She smiles but it feels like it’s for my benefit. “We weren’t that serious. We mostly hung out at parties and stuff.”
“Really?”
“I thought we could be more briefly but…” She lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “You know how he is.”
I get the impression that was a dig, but whether at me or Rowan, I’m not sure.
* * *
As soon as the game is over, MJ grabs my hand and pulls me down to the field.
“Maybe we should just wait in the parking lot or meet them at the pizza place,” I suggest.
She laughs in response and keeps tugging me with her. She has a strong grip.
The guys shake hands with the other team and then start toward the locker rooms. MJ pulls me to the exact spot where they cross the field to get into the school.
I don’t know why I’m so nervous, but when Rowan spots me waiting for him, it dissipates.
“Congrats,” MJ says to him.
“Thanks.”
She lets go of my hand and then rushes to Hunter and throws her arms around his neck.
I hesitate, uncertain what I’m supposed to do, but Rowan answers it by stepping forward and hugging me. His hands slide around my waist, and I loop mine over his shoulders.
“Nice game.” My words come out a little breathless.
“Thanks, Lindsey.” He squeezes me, lifting me onto my toes.
A surprised laugh slips from my lips.
“How much are you hating wearing my number?” he asks quietly, then sets me back down.
“Less after that back heel flick.”
His smirk lifts higher on one side.
“You were really good.”
“Thanks.”
The rest of the team is trickling away. He takes a step that direction but keeps staring at me.
“Are you coming to Freddie’s, babe?”
I glower at him, and he smiles wider. “Not if you’re going to keep calling me that.”
“But you’re such a babe.”
I keep glowering and he laughs.
“Fine, Summer, will you please come to Freddie’s tonight?”
He hardly ever calls me by my first name. I can’t decide if it’s nice or weird. Maybe a little of both.
I nod. “Meet you there, babe.”
He picks up his pace, walking backward faster now. “Doesn’t work. I like it when you call me that.”
With a wink, he turns and jogs into the school.