“Even you?”
Oops. I walked right into that. My pulse quickens as his blue eyes catch on mine.
“Don’t turn this around on me,” I say, feeling my face heat.
His lips quirk up at the corners.
“You aren’t interested in anyone?” I ask him instead.
“I didn’t say that.”
I will him to say he’s interested in me but almost immediately decide that would be the worst possible outcome. Vaughn and I cannot happen. Not only because of Claire but because we don’t make any sense together. Or we didn’t. Now that I’ve gotten to know him better, I suspect I was wrong.
“Well, what’s your move?” I ask him.
“No move. At least not right now. Two weeks of the season left, and if I’m not practicing or studying, then I’m sleeping.”
I feel a hint of disappointment in his answer, but as much as I want to push him to tell me who he’s interested in, I’m enjoying this back-and-forth with him. It’s way safer this way where I can assume it’s not me and that even if he were into me, it’s not like I’m interested in him back. Or that either of us is going to do anything about it.
“Or eating.” I use the fork in my hand to point to the rest of the pie. “Want another slice?”
“No.”
“Suit yourself.” I cut myself another and sit back down to get studying again, but Vaughn stands.
“You’re leaving?” My voice comes out in a whine. Whoops. That sounded like I’m sad about it, which I am definitely not.
“Yeah. A few of the guys are coming over to watch Mountainview’s last game.”
They play their next game this weekend against Mountainview, and Vaughn and the rest of the guys have been brimming with excitement all week.
I nod. “Okay. Study tomorrow night?”
“I’m not sure yet. Dad might have us stay late.”
“All right. Well, I guess I’ll see you when I see you.” I try to sound completely chill about it, but I’m not sure I manage it.
“I’ll see you at school tomorrow,” he says as he grabs his backpack and heads for the front door.
“Right,” I mutter quietly. School.
I am so not good at chill.
As soon as he’s out the door, I let my head drop onto the counter. I cannot be falling for him.
Chapter Twenty
Vaughn
“Nice job, Keller. Collins, good assist.” Barry, our assistant coach, claps his hands in approval. I jog over to Austin, and we bump fists.
Today’s practice has gone well. Even the coaches had little to say as we went through drills. We’re fired up, ready for the next game.
I spot Dad walking out to the field. He disappeared at some point during the last part of our scrimmage, and he has a look on his face that is unreadable now.
We all pause as he walks onto the field.
“Everyone, take a seat,” Dad says, which usually means we’re about to get a lengthy pep talk or he’s going to yell at us for the next fifteen minutes. His mood seems to suggest the former. He doesn’t look pissed, just serious.
