It hurts, but it’s no less than I deserve.
Still, I can’t let him leave for the holidays without telling him how I feel, without explaining everything. If he chooses not to forgive me, I’ll have to live with that, but there’s no way I can wait until January to talk to him again.
The crowd roars as the marching band takes the field, Waverly’s fight song filling the air as high notes and thumping bass blend in harmony.
I sneak another peek at the crowd and my knees go weak.
Which is ridiculous. I’ve performed before one hundred thousand screaming Wildcat fans. By comparison, the pep rally crowd is nothing.
Yeah, right.
No one was looking at me during games, not really. They were watching the Wildcat. If I screwed up, or made a fool of myself, it didn’t matter. Only Coach Sharpe—and eventually Devin—knew it was me inside that smelly fur suit.
“I don’t think I can do this.” I grab Maddie’s hand, taking her ice-cold fingers in mine. We really should’ve worn gloves, but that’s the least of my problems now. “This was a stupid idea. I didn’t think it through. Plan it out.”
“Babe, I love you, but the invasion of Normandy took less planning.”
I wouldn’t doubt it. I’ve spent the last four days going over every detail. Planning the logistics. Figuring out what to say.
That was the hardest part. There are so many things I want to say to Devin, and maybe, in time, I’ll have the chance, but today, every word—every gesture—has to count.
Otherwise, it’ll all be for nothing.
My pulse flutters. “What if I screw this up?”
“You’re going to do great.” Brooke giggles. “Just, you know, make sure your shoes are tied. Wouldn’t want you tripping or anything embarrassing like that.”
I immediately check my laces.
Maybe I should double knot them.
“Ignore her.” Maddie shoots Brooke the side-eye. “She’s kidding. You aren’t going to fall on your face. You’re a D1 gymnast. Strong. Graceful. Confident.”
“What she said.” Soraya nods to the stands. “We’ll be in the crowd cheering you on, no matter what.”
I crack a smile. “Even if I chicken out?”
“Girl, you will not chicken out.” There’s enough authority in her words that I almost believe her. “You’ve got this.”
“Yeah.” Brooke grins. “And if this doesn’t win him over, we’ve got a freezer full of ice cream.”
“From The Creamery?”
“There’s an entire carton of Alumni Swirl,” Maddie promises, squeezing my hand.
It’s a small comfort, especially when I feel like a human popsicle, but I appreciate the sentiment.
I have no idea how I got so lucky, but I couldn’t ask for a better group of women to call my friends. They’re loyal and funny and they’re always here for me when I need them. Before I came to Waverly, I didn’t know it could be like this. Didn’t know what I was missing. But now that I know? There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect the bond we’ve forged.
“You guys are the best. You know that, right?”
“We know,” they say in unison, pulling me in for a group hug, our foreheads forming a tight circle.
“Now go get your man.”
47
PARKER
