“Not everybody likes football,” I mutter, not even looking at him. My eyes are scanning the crowd that has gathered in the gym for the pep rally.
There is that familiar excitement going through the air like it always does before the first game of the season. The principal is giving a speech about hard work, love for our school, community, and the game, but you can still hear the hushed voices of our classmates in the background. John isn’t wrong though, the people of Bluebonnet love the game. On Friday nights, during the fall, businesses close, and people come to the games to cheer on the team.
“And nobody really cares what you think, so shut it,” Miguel adds, and I give him a thankful smile. I’m so not in the mood to discuss Kate with anybody, least of all John.
“And now, let’s welcome to the stage our Bluebonnet Eagles!”
The crowd roars as the marching band starts with our school fight song, and we come out on the stage one by one as our names are called.
“Emmett Santiago!”
If it’s possible, the chanting becomes even louder as I step out, the bright lights of reflectors shining over me.
There is a loud whistle coming from the back. A grin spreads over my face as I look over the crowd until my eyes land on Becky and Katherine.
Becky has always been Miguel’s and my biggest cheerleader. I don’t think there was one game she missed in all the years since we started playing. Practice or game, she’s been a constant in the stands, urging us on when we thought we couldn’t move a muscle, and one of the rare people there when we’d lose, reassuring us that it’s not the end.
And now there’s Katherine Adams.
Sweet, slightly infuriating, non-football-loving Kate Adams.
She turns toward Becs, looking stunned by the sound, but Becky just laughs and hoists her onto her feet before waving enthusiastically from the bleachers. Kate shakes her head at Becky’s silliness, but when she turns around, she sees me watching. Our gazes meet, and for a moment, everything fades back. All the noises and all the people become irrelevant. My heart tightens a little. I reach up, rubbing the spot.
Kate smiles and lifts her hand for a wave of her own. It’s small, over before it began, but I’m certain it was there. Directed at me.
A grin spreads over my mouth.
Things lately have been going well. Kate’s more amicable than she was just after she got here. She started integrating more into our little group, mostly thanks to Becky, who took it upon herself to make her feel welcomed.
Miguel elbows me in the gut, drawing my attention back. We listen to Coach give a speech, followed by our quarterback, Tim.
I try to listen to them talk, but all the while, I keep sneaking glances at the bleachers and the girl sitting there.
Will she come to the game?
Sports just aren’t my thing—her earlier words ring in my mind. Probably not. It’s not surprising, but I can’t say I’m not disappointed.
“Go Eagles!” Tim finally finishes, and the whole school joins in on the chant.
“Are you ready for tonight?” Becky asks later that day as we walk to the parking lot. On game days, if we’re playing on home turf, we usually have a pep rally instead of our final class, and then we’re off the hook until we have to get back to prepare for the game.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say, unlocking my door and throwing my duffle in the back.
Becky lifts her brows. “Where did the confident Emmett disappear to?”
We both enter my truck. Becky has her own car, but she rarely drives it, instead choosing to go with either Miguel or me.
“He’s still here.” I lift my ball cap and run my hand through my hair. “I’m just tired, I guess. It’s been a long day.”
“Mm-hmm… does this have anything to do with a certain brunette?”
I look up, my eyes falling on my best friend getting into his car. He sees us and tips his chin before disappearing inside. I turn to Becky. “Does your sour attitude have anything to do with a certain football player?”
Becky glares at me. “We’re not talking about me now.”
“But we can talk about me?” I challenge right back.
“Of course we can! If I can’t put my nose all up in your business, who can?”
“You’re something else, Becs.” I shake my head, laughing. I start the car, check the rearview mirrors and pull out.
“That’s why you love me,” she says playfully, jabbing me in the bicep.
“True.”
For a while, we drive in silence. Becky plays with the radio, changing the station until she finds her favorite one, and then she leans into her seat, humming happily to the song.
“Do you think she’ll come?” I finally ask, unable to hold it in.
“Kate?”
“Yeah.”
Didn’t we just talk about her? Seriously, and they say guys are clueless.
“I’m not sure.” Becky shrugs. “She did say that football isn’t her thing.”
She doesn’t have to like football to come to the game, I want to point out, but bite my tongue before the words can get out.
“She’s different from us.”
And that’s part of the problem. I don’t know what to make of her. I don’t know how to explain why I’m so preoccupied with this girl I don’t even know. Not really.
“She is, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Change can be good sometimes.” Becky turns toward me, looking at me contemplatively. “Do you want her to? To come, I mean?”
I shrug, keeping my eyes firmly on the road. I know that if I turn toward her, she’ll see more than I want her to on my face.
“Maybe.” I try to play it cool, but as always, Becky sees right through me.
From the corner of my eye, I can see a smile tug at her lips. “You like her.”
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mutter, my fingers clenched tightly around the steering wheel.
“You actually like a girl!”
I roll my eyes. “I’ve always liked girls.”
Thankfully, I’m just pulling up to Becky’s house, so this torture should soon be over. I love her, she’s one of my best friends, but God, sometimes she drives me insane.
“Not liked liked them.”
I shake my head. “You make no sense, Becs.”
I pull the car to a stop. Becky unbuckles her seatbelt and grabs her bag.
“I do, and you know it.” She pats my knee. “No worries, leave it all to Becky.”
Right, leave it all to Becky.
Not sure if that really is the best idea, but before I can protest, she’s already jumping out and rushing inside her house.
Chapter Ten
KATHERINE
“Becky,” I breathe as I open the front door. I look at her and then over her shoulder. There is a Jeep parked by the curb in front of Aunt Mabel’s house that wasn’t there earlier. “Did you forget something?”
Turning my attention back to her, I notice for the first time what she’s wearing—a blue-purple jersey with Bluebonnet Eagles written in gold over it, a pair of cutoff jean shorts, and cowboy boots. Her hair is curled, and her makeup complements her outfit completely, all the way to 67 and 42 written in gold and purple one next to the other over her right cheek. How I didn’t notice it at first, I have no idea.