She stopped eating for a moment and halfway turned her head toward me before moving her attention straight ahead, where Lana and Jodi had now recruited another friend into their game.
“As much as I miss those things, though, they can’t compare to what I’ve found here.” I slid closer to Terri, keeping some space between us, but close enough that the sleeves of our shirts brushed against one another.
“And what did you find here?” She bit into the cone, giving me the side-eye.
“Freedom. Acceptance.” I twirled a finger into her curls and gave it a tug. “Stability.”
She gave a wry laugh. “All the things I can’t seem to find. Ironic, isn’t it?”
“That’s because you let people bully you, and then—”
“You act like I just stand there and let them do whatever they want.” She wiped her hands and scowled.
“Well, you kind of do.”
She sighed. “It’s hard to change, Pax.”
I slipped my hand to her shoulder and pulled her closer, not caring if anyone saw. “I know. Change can be scary. I was shitting my pants after my dad died.”
She laid her head on my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re happy here, Pax. I think I’ll be happy once I leave this place.”
“Get out more and have fun.”
“That’s the plan.”
I grunted, then looked down at the top of her head, loving the way she felt in my arms, wishing we could stay like this. True dusk was setting in, which meant we’d have to leave soon.
Lana tackled one of the girls, sending them both rolling across the playground in a tangle of limbs and laughter. “You going to Jay’s party this weekend?”
She pulled back and frowned. “You gonna chop off your dick?”
“Huh? Why would I do that?”
“Exactly. Why would I go to his party? First off, if you haven’t noticed, no one likes me—especially your crowd.”
“Ilike you.”
She jabbed an elbow into my ribs.
“Ouch,” I laughed.
“You know what I mean, Pax.”
I twisted on the bench, giving her my full attention. “I want you to watch me play.”
“I have plans.” She picked at her shirt.
“Like what?” I crossed my arms over my chest. I’d lived in Arizona for nearly a month and not once had I seen CC leave the house for anything other than school.
“Mickey Nichols invited me to join his Jiu Jitsu class. He saw what happened when I tried out for cheer.”
It felt like someone had kicked me in the chest.She’s going somewhere with another guy.Why did that simple fact make me want to punch something? Particularly Mickey Nichols.
She lifted her chin and studied my face, as if waiting for me to say something.
“I see.” I straightened my spine, my pleasant mood evaporating.
“Don’t tell M om, please? I don’t want to deal with her opinions on hand-to-hand combat and being a lady.”
