I huff a laugh. “That’s an understatement.”
“What Austin means is you’re a stoic, serious prick, and she’s the happiest, bubbliest person we know.”
“I know. Trust me, I know. But there’s something about her.” I pull at my hair and stand. Maybe pacing will help. I have too much pent-up energy. When I finally face them, they’re both staring at me with matching sympathetic expressions.
“Does she know?” Austin asks.
“Nah. I haven’t said anything.”
Rowan sits forward, elbows on his knees. “She knows. Lacey is smart, and you’re shit at disguising your feelings.”
Austin takes in that information with me. “Do you think she likes you back?”
“Well, she doesn’t scowl at me anymore.”
Rowan laughs. A big, hearty sound that makes me feel like a chump. He stands and walks to me, then claps me on the shoulder. “That’s something.”
* * *
Later we head to the football game. Claire joins us, snuggling into Austin’s side. Rowan nudges me as he picks our seats directly behind the cheerleaders.
Lacey comes bounding over as soon as she sees us.
“Hey.” She lets her smile travel over all of us before landing back on me. “I heard about the regional game. That sucks.”
“Royally sucks,” Rowan says. “Do you know any hot, brunette cheerleaders who want to console me later?”
A laugh leaves her parted lips. “You’re a terrible flirt.”
“Is that a no?” he asks her.
I send a sideways glare at my buddy. What the fuck? Rowan flirts with everyone, but hours after I told him I liked Lacey, now he’s singling her out. Nah, he’s up to something.
Lacey steals a quick glance at me before asking her own question, “Where are you guys going later?”
Rowan’s lips twist into a smirk. “Not sure yet. Want to hang out with me?”
Andie calls for Lacey and she turns and nods to her before returning her attention to us.
“I gotta go cheer. I’ll catch up with you guys later.” With that she starts to walk backward.
“Go team!” Claire yells.
Lacey raises her pom-poms up to shoulder level and shakes them. Then with one last glimpse at me, Lacey heads back to her cheerleaders.
Rowan nudges me again.
“Seriously?” I ask through gritted teeth.
“What?” he asks like he didn’t just ask out Lacey an hour after I told him I liked her.
“Are you trying to piss me off?”
“Relax, Cap. I’m helping you out.”
Helping me out? He’s kidding, right?
“How did that help me exactly?” I ask, hoping he has a magical answer that will keep me from wanting to punch him.
