Chapter 23 Astrid
ASTRID
The next few weeks fly by in a blur of activity. I’m at the Hunts’ house most every day, either dropping by in the morning so Callan can drive us to school together, going over to help Roni with some of the remodeling plans, doing homework with my boyfriend, or just hanging out in his room.
We’ve been making out like crazy and not always when other people are around. Callan is always careful to stop it before it goes too far, but I’m walking around in a perpetual state of longing, and I don’t really know what’s going on.
It doesn’t feel like pretending—at least not to me.
I want to bring it up, but I’m afraid of ruining things, so I have kept my mouth shut. Instead, I’ve decided to channel my inner mormor and just go along for the ride, hoping I don’t get my heart broken in the process, because the more time I spend with Callan, the deeper I fall.
I’m at my locker on Friday after classes are over, getting ready to head to the game, when Callan appears with a bag slung over his shoulder.
“What’re you doing here?” I rake my gaze over my boyfriend in his soccer uniform, barely resisting the urge to climb him like a tree. “Shouldn’t you be out on the field?”
“We’re leaving now, so I’ve got to be quick.” Taking my hand, he drags me into the nearest empty classroom and closes the door.
I lift a brow. “What’s going on?”
His Adam’s apple bobs as he rummages in his bag. “I wanted to give you this.” He hands me a shirt, and my heart pounds like crazy as I realize what it is. My throat is dry as I hold out the soccer jersey in the school colors with ‘9’ and ‘HUNT’ written on the back.
“You want me to wear this to the game?”
“Yeah.” He rubs the back of his head, looking uncharacteristically nervous. “I mean, that’s the done thing here, right? Renee wears Thor’s jersey, and I know it’s supposed to be a varsity jacket or shit, but—”
“I’ll wear it, Callan. Proudly.” My heart mushrooms in my chest as I stretch up and kiss him.
Like always, he doesn’t let me down, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me fiercely. I melt against him, and it’s getting harder and harder to deny how much I want this to be real. Every time Callan kisses me, it’s possessive and passionate, like a claiming. Like I’m his.
I’m so confused.
I’m trying to just go with the flow, but I don’t know how much longer I can continue without saying something, because I need to know.
Does he feel the same things I do when we kiss?
Like his heart is about to explode. Like he might die if he doesn’t touch me in all the ways I long to be touched by him?
I wish we could stay here like this, making out and getting lost in all the things he makes me feel, but I reluctantly tear my lips from his.
He’s got a game to get to, and I don’t want the entire school whaling on my ass if their hero is late.
The Raiders haven’t lost a match this season, and they’re at the top of the league for the first time in years.
Everyone is going nuts and throwing their support behind the team and the sport, and it's amazing to see. “Go. Don’t be late on my account.” I push at his chest when he doesn’t move.
“You still okay to go to Thor’s later?”
“Yeah.” I seriously hope Joe isn’t there tonight.
Thor relented and let the football team come back to ease the tension between both teams. Joe spent the last two parties glowering at Callan and trying to get me alone to talk to me.
Ana and Travis are still broken up, and there is no love lost between all of us either.
It’s awkward, and I’m starting to loathe going to Thor’s.
“I’ll see you later, beautiful.” Callan kisses me quickly before sprinting away to avoid getting into trouble with his coach.
Thirty minutes later, I’m sitting in my usual seat on the bleachers with my friends while Callan’s family sits in the row behind us.
They haven’t missed a game since that first one, and I love how they support him.
I’m really glad Callan resolved his issues with his parents because I think they’re cool and he’s lucky to have them.
My parents are here tonight too, sitting alongside Roni, Tony, and Erin, with my little sisters.
The stadium is packed to capacity again, but that’s no longer a surprise.
“No freaking way,” Gwen says, nudging Lyn aside when she arrives with Scott in tow. Her eyes are out on stalks as she drinks me in. “Cal gave you his shirt?”
I can’t contain my smile as I nod. Which is ridiculous because he’s just playing the part of devoted boyfriend. It’s not real. I don’t know how many times I’m repeating that to myself these days, but it’s a lot, and yet the message still hasn’t sunk in.
“Wow. Things are getting serious.” She sinks into the seat beside me while Scott sits beside her with Lyn on his left.
“Nothing has changed,” I whisper in her ear.
“Everything has changed,” she whispers back.
The game starts, and I’m instantly riveted, like every time Callan is on the field.
The Raiders get off to a good start, taking possession of the ball and commanding it like pros.
Callan is on fire, dribbling around players to cross a shot to Riley, who slams it into the back of the net, giving us our first goal.
Callan follows it up ten minutes later with an impressive header into the top corner.
Every time Callan goes up against their defenders, he makes it look like they’re moving in slow motion, deftly maneuvering the ball around them.
He’s a magician on the field, and he’s magnetic to watch.
The opposing team ramps up their efforts, getting past our defense to make a run for the goal. Our goalkeeper lunges in the right direction, managing to deflect it at the last second. Our supporters are up on their feet, shouting encouragement and clapping, and the buzz is electric.
Just before halftime, we score a penalty kick. When Callan steps forward to take it, Roni leans her hands on my shoulders from behind. “My nerves are shot to pieces. I can’t watch.”
“I can relate,” I say as knots cinch in my belly.
My heart is in my throat as I wait for the whistle to blow and Callan to take the shot.
He’s cool and confident as he feints left, turning his foot at the last second to hit a powerful kick to the right.
The keeper doesn’t have a chance to save it as it soars into the back of the net, and the whole stadium erupts.
It's three to zero at halftime when Gwen and Scott leave to grab snacks. After talking to the parents for a while, I scoot over beside Lyn. “You doing okay?” I ask. She’s been quiet lately, and she hasn’t been at any of Thor’s parties in weeks.
“I’m hanging in there.” She offers me a sad smile. She finally told us about her parents, and it sucks. I would be devastated if my parents ever said they were divorcing, so I feel for her.
“I’m here if you need to talk about it. I can hang out Sunday morning if you like?”
She opens her mouth to speak, but clams up when Gwen and Scott reappear.
“Got you popcorn and a soda,” Gwen says, thrusting both items at me as she looks between Lyn and me.
“You didn’t need to do that.” Gwen shouldn’t be spending her money on me.
“It’s cool. Things are a little better now your dad organized that additional grant, and having Stephanie an extra six hours a week is a big help.” She pierces me with a look I can’t decipher. “I was hoping to talk with Lyn.”
“Oh, oh, sure.” Finally. I hope they patch things up so everything can go back to normal. “Let me know about Sunday,” I say before moving back to my seat. I chat with Scott as Lyn and Gwen talk in hushed voices with their heads bent.
Scott remains beside me when the game restarts, and we chat casually in between watching the play. Gwen is still beside Lyn, though they’re both fixated on the game and not talking much.
The opposing team obviously had a great pep talk from their coach during the halftime break, as they come back reenergized and rally around to score two goals, making it three to two.
Every time Callan gets the ball, the defense surrounds him en masse, and even with his superior soccer skills, he can’t get around them to either pass or score.
I’m sure he’s super frustrated. An opening appears a few minutes later, and Callan flies up into the air, aiming to head the ball into the goal when he clashes with one of his opponents.
They butt heads, and a collective wince echoes around the stadium as we all watch them fall to the ground.
The referee blows the whistle, and I’m up on my feet, panic sluicing through my veins as Callan remains sprawled on the field while the other guy climbs to his feet, clutching his head. Behind me, Roni is freaking out.
“I’m going down there,” she says when another couple of minutes have passed, and Callan hasn’t gotten up. We can’t tell exactly what’s going on as the coach and medical team are around him, blocking our view.
“Love, they won’t let you near him,” Tony says. I turn around, watching him hug his wife to his chest, trying to hold her back. “Let the team take care of him.”
A loud roar reverberates around the stadium, and I breathe a sigh of relief when Callan comes into view. He’s standing, leaning against his coach as he walks off the pitch.
“Skit. That was scary,” I say as I sit back down.
Scott squeezes my shoulder. “For all of us, but I’m sure he’ll be fine. They’ll be checking him out to make sure he’s okay. Try not to worry.”
I smile at him, grateful for his reassurance. Scott has quiet, solid strength that is grounding. He’s also crazy about my bestie, and the changes in Gwen are remarkable. She hasn’t had any alcohol in weeks, she’s smiling all the time, and she’s been in a really good mood.
Callan doesn’t return to the game during the last fifteen minutes, and we end up with our first defeat of the season, losing four to three to the Bulldogs.
A ball of anxiety is lodged in my throat, and I won’t calm down until I see Callan for myself and know that he’s okay.
So, I hang back after the game is over, waiting with Callan’s parents outside the locker room for him to make an appearance.
My parents left with Erin and my sisters a while ago.
“Your boy’s okay,” Thor says when he materializes a few minutes later. “Try not to worry, Mrs. Hunt,” he tells Roni. “The medical team is assessing him to ensure he doesn’t have a concussion,” he adds. “He’ll be out shortly.”
“Tough result, son.” Tony clamps a hand on Thor’s shoulder.
“Yeah, but maybe it was a wake-up call. We’ve been taking our wins for granted. We need to push harder as a team. Stop relying on Callan to carry us.”
“Callan!” Roni calls out, rushing forward to greet her son when he exits the room last. He’s still in his muddy soccer uniform, but he’s swapped his soccer boots for his sneakers. “Are you okay? You scared the heck out of me.” She peers up at him, worry creasing her brow. “Does it hurt?”
“I’m fine, Ma. Stop fussing.” His eyes find mine, and relief is stretched across his face as he walks toward me.
Thor grabs me into a brief hug. “Don’t think I’ll be seeing you tonight. Take care of our guy.”
“Always,” I promise.
Callan pulls me into an embrace the second he reaches me. “Thanks for waiting for me.”
I gently wrap my arms around him. “I was worried. Wanted to make sure you were okay.” Heat from his body winds around me like a blanket, and I sink into his warmth.
“I’m fine, I promise,” he says before pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
“You good, son?” Tony asks, trying and failing to mask his concern.
“I have a killer headache, but they don’t think I have a concussion.”
“You should leave your truck here and come home with us,” Roni says. “We can come get it tomorrow.”
“I’ll go with Astrid,” he says.
“Okay, honey.” Roni kisses his cheek. “Let me know if the headache gets worse or if you feel sick. You should take it easy tonight.”
“Stop fussing, Ma. I’ll see you in a bit.”
We walk out with his parents, waving them goodbye in the parking lot. Callan takes my hand as we go to his truck to grab his things. “How bad is your headache?” I ask.
“I’ve had worse.” He shrugs, downplaying it as he hands me a bakery box.
I look away to hide my smile. “More cupcakes for the girls?”
He tweaks my nose before locking the truck and slinging his arm over my shoulders. “Can’t be falling short on my boyfriend duties.”
“So this is a regular Friday thing?” I snake my arm around his back.
“Absolutely.”
We stash our stuff in the trunk of my car, and then I climb behind the wheel, and he gets into the passenger seat. “I presume we’re skipping the party,” I say.
“Yeah. Do you mind?”
I shake my head as I back out of the parking space. “Not even a bit.” I glance at him as I drive off. “If you like, I can give you a head and neck massage? I have peppermint and rosemary essential oils at home. Mormor always used those when she had a headache. She never liked taking pills.”
“I don’t either, and that sounds great.”
“We’ll have to do it at your place.” As predicted, Dad will not let Callan up to my bedroom. Whenever he comes over, we’re only allowed downstairs. It’s so freaking embarrassing. Mom tried talking to him, but he’s old school.
“Naturally.” Callan cracks a grin. He thinks it’s hilarious because, of course, Dad doesn’t know Callan regularly climbs through my window after everyone has gone to sleep. “We could watch a movie. Order pizza?”
“Eat pizza on a Friday night?” I mock gasp.
“I’m depressed. We lost the match because Coach wouldn’t let me back on the pitch.”
“Rightly so.” I take the turn toward our cul-de-sac. “Head injuries are no joke. He was right to take precautions. Besides, you’re not the only player on the field. The team needs to pull their weight too. Thor certainly believes so.”
“I hate missing any game time,” he admits, reaching out to twirl his finger in my hair. He’s always playing with it, and I love it.
“There’ll be other games and another opportunity to beat the Bulldogs. You’ll have your revenge.” I pull into my drive and kill the engine.
Callan unlocks his seat belt and leans forward, gently clasping my face. “Stop being so perfect.” His eyes radiate adoration as he stares at me. “You’re making it hard to resist you.”
“Then don’t,” I say in a breathy tone as he lowers his face toward mine.
“You make everything better, Astrid,” he whispers just before his lips descend.
My eyes close, and I give myself over to sensation as Callan kisses me like I’m precious to him.
Am I stupid to think it might be real? Because, in this moment, it sure feels like it.