“Oh, it’s nonstop. But he is pretty hot. Even you have to admit that.”
“I’m not admitting that.” My cheeks heat. I’ve always known Vaughn was attractive: tall, straight nose, good jawline, nice eyes. Objectively he is pleasant to look at, but because Claire was with him, I didn’t look at him in that way. At least, that’s what I’ve been telling myself. Spending so much time with him the past week, I understand his appeal in a way I didn’t previously. The broody, serious thing really works for him.
Claire continues to beam happily at me.
“You’re really over him?” I ask.
“Of course. I love Austin.”
“I know, but you can be in love with one guy and still have some lingering feelings for another. Or at least I think you can.” I wouldn’t know for sure, seeing as how I’ve never felt that way about anyone. I’ve had crushes, gone out on dates. I even went out with a guy named Ryan for about a week in tenth grade. But none of that really compares to the relationships that Claire has been in.
“Vaughn and I understood each other. It was comforting and convenient.”
Now it’s my time to snort a laugh. “Wow, that sounds so romantic.”
She sticks her tongue out at me. “We worked for a lot of reasons, but it’s different with Austin. I am over Vaughn, and I’m not harboring any secret crushes on him or any resentment.”
Her words are a relief to me for reasons I don’t want to think about too hard.
“I better go. He’s coming over to my house tonight to study, and I need to warn my dad.”
“Ooh, Daddy Kerr meets a boy.”
“Shut up. It isn’t like that.” And there’s a good chance Dad will work through it like he did yesterday. It was almost dinnertime before he emerged.
“Do you think he will grill him or go get his research out and bore him to death?”
“I hope neither.” I pull my backpack onto my shoulder. “Love you. See you tomorrow.”
My stomach flutters anxiously as I head out to my Bronco. I tap my finger against the steering wheel the whole ride. It’s only once I’m at my house and practically running to get inside that I realize it isn’t anxiety. It’s excitement.
I’m excited to see Vaughn.
Chapter Eleven
Vaughn
Dad blows the whistle and the entire team groans as we start toward the fences to run another lap around the field. It’s the thirteenth lap today, and it’s not even supposed to be a conditioning day.
“We win together, and we lose together. Every decision you make, on the field and off, impacts all of us.”
His comment is aimed directly at me, and the entire team knows it.
I pump my legs faster, setting the pace for the team. Everyone is tired, but it’s one of those days where my dad is looking for reasons to make us run.
What was supposed to be a scrimmage has turned into conditioning. Every mistake, he has us running another lap. Sloppy offense, slacking on defense, not communicating, showing off, lack of confidence—you name it, we’ve run for it today.
I’m still not able to fully practice with the team, but I fall into step on every lap. Maybe I’m not the reason he sayswe’re running, but everyone knows it’s my fault he’s been in a perpetually bad mood.
Though I’m also wondering if the interviews are getting to him. They’re definitely getting to me. The TV still hasn’t reappeared, and yesterday when I asked him about it, he just grunted something about it all being over soon.
The sky is nearly dark as we circle around the soccer field. We’re well beyond our usual practice time. He won’t keep us much longer. For the rest of the team, that’s a reassuring thought. They don’t have to go home with him.
When the entire team makes it back to the starting spot, he nods, though it doesn’t have the same feeling of approval behind it as usual.
“That’s all for today,” he says. “Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thank fuck,” Rowan mutters next to me. “I’m one lap away from needing a new lung.”
