But maybe if his mother had someone special in her life, a guy to take care of her and put her needs before his own, she’d move on. Stop missing the great Neal Bragg all the time. Then Simon could feel less stressed about the future. As it was, anxiety made it difficult to concentrate lately, so he’d decided to avoid it where he could.
He was smart enough to ditch class without getting caught. Normally. But he’d been busted for skipping boring Lit 101. To make matters worse, even at practice, where the coaches and players typically listened to him, no one seemed to be taking his critiques well. Even Coach Stan, an even-tempered guy, hadn’t appreciated Simon’s commentary on how to more effectively coach the linemen.
With so much turmoil, Simon had debated skipping a week of school mornings with a feigned illness, making sure to attend half days so he could still hit practice. But after talking to Flash and taking the guy’s advice, things had settled down.
He was fitting in better. Plus, the guys on the team watched Flash talking to him, mentoring him, and that gave Simon some real cred. Not that Flash only coached Simon. The guy helped everybody without asking for kudos, but his coaching had actually improved Simon’s game. Simon found himself liking, even respecting, the ex-NFL star, despite his initial impression of the dude as a conceited jerk needing the spotlight.
Heck, the reality was a one-eighty from that. Flash went out of his way to avoid attention, especially from some of the pushier football moms.
Yeah, the dude had a lot going for him. “He hasn’t fallen for Davey’s mom.”
Jenna laughed. “Well, that’s brave of him. I swear, it seems like that lady has dated half the town. Mom loathes her.”
“That’s because she hit on your dad.”
“True.” Jenna was silent a moment. “So, are you going to do it?”
“Do what?”
“Simon, please. I can tell you want to set your mom up. You want my help?”
“Maybe. I’m still thinking about it.” Jenna had smarts, charm, and a way to get people to do what she wanted because she was a genuinely nice girl. He could use her help…ifhe found Flash worthy. And he still had doubts. This was his mom, he was talking about.
“Well, if I help you, you have to help me.”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“There’s a boy I like. He’s an idiot, but he’s cute.”
Ah. She’s finally decided to make a move.Simon had been waiting for their weird dynamic to settle. He’d thought maybe she’d made such a fuss over the summer because she liked him. Still not sure how to handle that, he nevertheless felt better that he now understood her earlier weirdness. “I’m listening.”
“Can you help me figure out how to talk to him?”
“Guys are easy. What does he like?”
“He’s into PC gaming and music. And art, I think.”
Simon frowned. “I like Xbox.” And he couldn’t care less about art.
“Duh. I’m not talking about you.”
That didn’t sound right. “But—”
“Hey, I always help you out. Now it’s your turn.”
“Look, I have no problem helping you. But this idiot… Why isn’t he approaching you? I mean, he must be a total douche if you have to figure out how to talk to him. You’re awesome. Why doesn’t he see that?”
She sighed. “I have no idea. But I figure maybe a nudge might show him I’m pretty and accessible.”
“Accessible?” What the heck didthatmean?
“Try to come up with some ways I can approach him without him thinking I like him. Okay?”
“Fine.” What kind of loser wouldn’t like Jenna for who she was? “But don’t you think games are beneath you?”
“It’s called dating, Simon. And maybe if boys weren’t such morons, girls wouldn’t have to do weird stuff to make them take notice.”
“Well, yeah. But—”
