Chapter Twenty Summer
Chapter Twenty
Summer
“Keep it moving,” Vaughn yells to the group of sophomores walking in front of the bleachers. They’re standing between us and the football field. But more importantly, they’re blocking his view of the cheerleaders. Lacey, in particular.
Rowan’s deep chuckle vibrates against my back. He’s sitting in the row behind me, but he’s leaning forward with both arms draped over my shoulders.
The whistle blows, signaling the end of the first quarter.
While the guys jog off the field to their benches, the cheerleaders turn around and start yelling, trying to get the crowd into it.
I’m not sure what’s wrong with everyone tonight, but the response is lackluster.
That is until Vaughn stands up and puts both hands around his mouth, yelling, “Go, Frost Lake!”
Rowan doesn’t stand, but he chuckles again and then lets out a whoop. Soon, the rest of the student section is yelling and cheering.
“Never thought I’d see the day,” Rowan says, voice close to my ear.
I’ve only ever known Vaughn with Lacey, but the stories I’ve heard indicate that he wanted very little to do with school or football games or anything fun before they started dating.
“I think they’re cute,” I say.
“Not as cute as us.” He winks, then nuzzles into my neck. “I really want to kiss you right now.”
“We said no kissing while we’re faking it,” I remind him.
“I think we’ve already broken that rule, Lindsey.” He’s right, of course, but it’s different when other people are watching. We weren’t performing at his house or in his truck or in the parking lot after practice. Not like we are now.
We sit that way, chatting with his friends and watching the game, until halftime. Claire stands. “I need snacks. I’m starving.”
“I’ll go with you,” Austin volunteers immediately.
“And you were giving me shit about Lacey,” Vaughn says. “You two are attached at the hip.”
“We are not. We don’t have second, fifth, or sixth period together. Plus we’re apart for two hours every day during practice, eight for sleeping…” Austin’s voice trails off as we all fight back laughter. “Fine. I’ll stay here. She’s good. Right, babe?”
“I’ll go with you,” I offer Claire.
She smiles. “Thanks. My boyfriend just abandoned me for his pride.”
“Gee, thanks. I’d rather Disco have gone,” Rowan says, looking all sad and pathetic but still adorable. “Way to ruin it for all of us.”
Austin nudges Rowan. “We’ll stay here and do guy things.”
“Yeah, and definitely not talk about you two.” Rowan’s eyes sparkle with mischief as he sits back.
“Do you want anything?” I ask him.
“No, but if you get M&M’s, I’ll help you eat them.”
“How chivalrous,” Claire notes with a laugh.
We leave the guys on the bleachers and walk side by side around the field to the concession stand.
“You two are really sweet together,” Claire says once we get in the back of the line.
“Thanks.”
“What’s he like?” she asks, crossing her arms over her chest. There’s a hint of chill in the air tonight that has me already missing summer.
“Rowan?” I ask, though I know that’s who. It’s more that I don’t understand why she would ask me that question. “You’ve known him a lot longer than I have.”
“Yeah, but not like this.” She waves a hand back toward the bleachers where we were just sitting. “Not the boyfriend version.”
“He dated Amanda.”
“He was never like that with her.” Claire shakes her head, making the blond strands fall over one shoulder. She has that perfect, straight hair. If I had to switch with someone, it would be her. I bet it takes her a lot less effort to brush her hair.
And yes, I am avoiding thinking too carefully about her words because I don’t know what to make of them.
I don’t know why he’s different with me, but the most logical reason is we’re putting on a show.
Sure, we’ve kissed a few times without an audience, but we’ve fallen into a rhythm of doing all these things so people believe we’re together.
I can’t tell what’s real and what’s not at this point.
We step forward with the line. Claire continues. “He’s different with you. He’s still Rowan, all goofy and funny, but then he looks at you and…”
She pauses as if she’s considering her words carefully.
“What?” I ask, my heartbeat picking up speed. I’m so desperate for someone else’s take on us, even if it’s clouded with what we’ve chosen to show them.
“You subdue him, but not in a bad way. It’s like he seems more content. He’s always been the guy who notices when someone is having a rough time and then tries to make them smile, but with you, he’s just existing. I’m probably not explaining it well, but trust me, it’s a good thing.”
I’m not sure what to make of that assessment or if it’s even true. Maybe he’s comfortable with me because he doesn’t feel the same way he would if he were really dating someone. His heart isn’t on the line.
“What was he like with Amanda?” I ask. Part of me wishes I had seen them together and the other is glad I didn’t so I can’t torture myself with the memories.
“I don’t really know.” She shrugs one shoulder. “I only saw them together a couple of times. I don’t think she liked hanging around with our group much. He usually hung out with her friends. The way she ditched him at homecoming was shitty though.”
“Is that when she got together with Ronnie?”
“Yeah.” Claire lowers her voice. “She could have at least waited until the next day. Instead, she abandoned him halfway through the night.”
Amanda and Sophie are standing next to the line now, which explains why Claire stops talking.
I mull over her words as we wait. Amanda and I are different, so it makes sense that Rowan is different with me.
That’s all Claire is seeing. Plus, it’s not that much of a stretch for Claire to like me better than Amanda, because she cheated on Rowan.
“I’m going to pee before we head back. Will you hold my stuff?” Claire asks after we have our food.
“Yeah.” I take her drink and popcorn, then move out of the way of the crowd.
I try to shuffle everything to one hand so I can get my phone out of my pocket but nearly drop everything and give up.
A soft chuckle makes me look up.
“Need some help?” Sophie asks. She and Amanda are standing in front of me. The latter looks… Well, she looks like shit. Her hair is up in a ponytail and her mascara is smudged. But it’s more than that. She looks…sad.
“No. I’ve got it.” I readjust. “Thanks.”
“Ooh. The bathroom line is finally short.” Sophie steps away. “Be right back,” she says to Amanda.
“Hi,” I say to Amanda when it’s just the two of us.
“Hey.” Her voice is quiet, and she glances down at the ground like she is in no mood to make small talk. I don’t know Amanda super well, but something is obviously wrong.
I go back and forth on whether to ask or leave it, but Claire’s still gone, and standing here awkwardly is painful.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
Amanda looks up.
“Sorry,” I add when she doesn’t respond. “It’s none of my business, but you seem upset.”
“Ronnie and I broke up.” Her eyes are glassy, and she crosses her arms tightly against her waist.
“I’m so sorry.” My stomach bottoms out and a rush of panic washes over me. “When?”
“Tonight. Just before the game. His dad found out we were together.”
I’m speechless and processing, but I seem to have given her permission to unload on me, because Amanda keeps talking.
“He isn’t allowed to date during the season. His dad is all ‘You need to concentrate on your future. Girls are a distraction.’ And Ronnie refuses to stand up to him.”
“That really sucks,” I say.
She blinks and steels herself like she’s forcing away the hurt feelings. “Whatever. I don’t know why I’m so upset. This is dumb. There are so many other guys out there, right?”
“Right.”
There are other guys out there. And she won’t have any trouble landing one. Probably any she chooses.
But it’s my guy I’m worried about. Particularly what will happen when he finds out his ex-girlfriend is single again.