“Ugh,” I complain as I reach for my soda and swallow what’s left. “It’s a good thing I love you.”
She giggles as Sutton finally pushes her bowl away.
“Finished?” Casey asks.
“Yeah. Can we go home and get ready for the game now?”
“You got it, Rivers,” Casey says before getting our server’s attention so we can pay.
As we get up, my cell buzzes in my purse.
Following behind Casey and Sutton, I pull it free.
I expect it to be Mom or Summer, possibly Levi again, but when I look at the screen, my stomach flips over at the name staring back at me.
Cole: Are you watching the game tonight?
Freya: Yep. I’m heading to Casey’s to watch with her and Sutton.
Cole: Sounds like you have a fun night planned. Do you remember which goalie you should be watching?
Freya: Yeah, I think so. The one our shooters are aiming for, right?
“What are you laughing at?” Casey asks, noticing that I’ve fallen behind. “Is it Levi?”
“There’s a boy in my class named Levi,” Sutton says absently. “He’s a liar.”
“Sutton, you need solid evidence before you start calling people liars.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I do. I’d never say it at school, though. The others can think what they want about him.”
“Right,” Casey muses. “Probably for the best.”
“I have them all figured out. It’s a fun game, watching everyone else discover what I already know.”
As Sutton skips ahead, I watch as Casey puffs her cheeks out.
“You know the problem here, don’t you?” I tease.
“I think I already know what you’re going to say, and I’m not sure I want to hear it.”
“I’m going to say it anyway,” I mock. “She’s basically you, just a few years younger.”
“Mmm,” Casey mumbles. “So, back to who you’re messaging.”
For the briefest of moments, I consider lying. But I can’t. That’s not who I am, and I respect my friendship with Casey too much.
“It’s Cole.”
“Co—ooooh.” A wide smile pulls at her lips.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I warn.
“What? I’m not looking at you like anything. Why would you even say that?”
“He’s just asking if I’m watching tonight and giving me a few pointers about what I should be looking out for.”
“His warm-up thrusts?” Casey whispers, leaning closer so Sutton doesn’t hear.
