He leaned back, though he keptclose.
“How do you like the changes they’re making?” I asked him, and as he smiled, under the fluorescent bathroom lights, he almost seemed to glow like a heavenlybeing.
“It’s really awesome seeing everything they’ve done so far. This place has already grown a lot since I was a kid, and it’s nice to see it still expanding and offering an important space for the kids in ourcommunity.”
“It’s incredible, Jace. I’m glad you were able to do this for them, and I love seeing what it means to you. I’m proud of you. Crawford would be proud ofyou.”
His expression turned serious, though not sad the way it had when I’d first heard him bring up his father. He seemed to really absorb the truth of what I’dsaid.
“I know he would be,” he said. “Thank you for being here today. It means a lot that you wanted to share this with me.” He smirked. “And thank you for your contribution to Fever Fight. You didn’t have to dothat.”
“Eh, I had an insider tell me it was a good organization. I only donate to causes I trust, and it wasn’t much, considering I didn’t have six figures to drop into thisplace.”
We shared another kiss before slipping out of the restroom to join the others. Everyone had scattered about. Nance and Carter were chatting in the café, and we could see Linc and Rush shooting hoops at the inside gym’s basketballgoal.
Rush started to make a shot when Linc put his hand out and blocked his toss. Linc quickly recovered the ball before shooting himself but missing. Rush called out, “Ah, too bad, man, but way to sneak up on me! Guess you’re a fast learner, afterall.”
“Whatever. Don’t act like you didn’t let me have thatone.”
“You nabbed that fair and square. I never let anyone win. They gotta earn it.” Rush rubbed his hand through Linc’s hair, which only made Linc’s grinbroaden.
“Hey, guys!” Jace called. “You seen Keegaround?”
“Yeah,” Rush called back. “He thought the theatre was cool, so he and Serena went backtogether.”
“Oh God, please don’t let him be interested in acting,” I said. “I’lldie.”
Jace enjoyed a laugh at my expense as we continued our search. We found our way through the empty theatre and then went backstage. One of the dressing-room doors was cracked open, and I could hear Keeg’s distinctive, deeplaugh.
“Got ’em,” I said as I opened thedoor.
Keeg sat in a chair before the wall-length mirror, Serena at his side, holding a lipstick, her purse open on the counter. Keeg turned quickly, his eyes wide with worry as Jace came up behind me. I noticed he was wearing lipstick and what looked likefoundation.
“Hey, boys,” Serena said with a smile,waving.
It was clear by the way Keeg’s eyes were fixed on Jace that he was waiting for his disapproval orjudgment.
“Oh, I just—” hestammered.
“Keeg…lookin’ good, bro,” Jace told him with a thumbs-up.
Keeg’s expression immediately relaxed, and he smiled. “Thanks,man.”
“We’re probably gonna stay for another hour and then head out,” Jace added. “So take your time.” He closed thedoor.
We left through a set of double doors leading into the main hall. Jace hooked his arms around me and pulled me into a nook near the doors, kissing me again. As he pulled away, I said, “That was cool, the way you handledthat.”
“What? Keeg wearing a littlemakeup?”
“Oh, no. I was thinking about letting my mom do his makeup. You’ve seen how much she cakes on herself?” I said with awink.
He chuckled for a second, and then he turned serious as he gazed into my eyes. “Speaking of your mom, I think you still owe me some deets about something you teased meabout.”
“Oh,really?”
“Yeah, we’ve been together long enough that you can tell me where you got those pretty hazelsfrom.”
“I guess it’s time you know all my secrets…or at least more of them.” I kept quiet for a moment, dragging out the suspense before revealing, “WarrenSimone.”
