“You put it up,” I say quietly to Vaughn.
“This morning.” He nods. “After the others had been vandalized. Are you upset?”
“That someone drew on the signs?” I ask, then shake my head. “No. If anything, they are drawing more attention than usual.”
Rowan slings an arm around my shoulders. “The halls look great, Lacey. The guys are pumped.”
He’s gone as quick as he appeared, leaving me alone with Vaughn again.
“And you?” I ask. “Are you pumped?”
“I’ll be pumped if they win and I pass my algebra test next week.”
“Can I get that in writing?”
He continues smiling at me, and my stomach flutters with this new version of him I’ve never seen.
“What would that even look like?”
“Me pumped?”
“Yeah. I’m struggling to picture it. You’ve really gotthe broody, serious thing down.” I wave one hand in front of him.
He huffs a laugh but doesn’t argue my point.
Claire calls my name, and when I look up, she motions for me to join her.
“I’ll see you later,” I tell him.
“Yeah.”
Neither of us moves.
“Good luck tonight.”
“I think I can manage to fill some water bottles.”
“Make sure it’s high-quality H-two-oh.” I make a reference to a ’90s comedy I’m sure he’s never seen.
“You knowThe Waterboy?”
“Of course. I’m surprised you do.” Picturing him watching a comedy or laughing are both difficult.
“Of course.” His smile falters on one side. “I thought it was a lot funnier before I became the water boy though.”
Chapter Nine
Vaughn
My heart races and my body hums with nervous energy I have no outlet for. The game is tied. Brayson is not as good as we are, but they showed up tonight ready to fight.
Dad is keeping his cool, but I can tell he’s worried. I busy myself filling up water bottles. I’m actually grateful for the shit job at the moment because it’s easier to do something than just stand here.
I offer a bottle to Rowan as he comes off the field. He accepts it with a breathless “thanks.”
“Their defense is getting tired,” I tell him. “Keep passing the ball around.”
He squirts a long stream of water into his mouth and then nods. “Thanks, Cap.”
