“No, it’s okay. Something probably just came up.”
Despite my words, I have an uneasy feeling swirling in my stomach. I talked to Vaughn an hour ago. He said he had a change of plans and couldn’t pick me up but that he’d meet me at the theater. Maybe that was him trying to blow me off. Why not just say that?
We get in line at the concession stand. Claire keepssneaking glances back at me, and I keep forcing a smile so she won’t know just how heartbroken I feel.
It’s not just about him not showing. It’s a reminder my feelings for him are bigger than his for me. I always knew this is the way it would go. How many times has he told me he isn’t good at relationships? Being upset he turned out to be exactly the guy he said he was isn’t fair.
“Are you excited for semifinals?” I ask Rowan, desperate to change the conversation and look like I’m not at all upset Vaughn was a no-show.
“Yeah.” His easy smile makes me feel a little bit better already. “Are you coming?”
“Of course. I think the entire town will be there.”
“Frost Lake does love their soccer,” he agrees with a grin.
“That they do.”
The fact that we have a legend like Jude Collins coaching after he had such a successful career in the Premier League is exciting all on its own. Add in the two back-to-back State Championships, and it’s easy to see why they’ve gained such a loyal fanbase.
Some emotion I can’t quite discern crosses his face. “I guess I’ll have to take solace in that, since my parents won’t make it.”
“Your family isn’t coming?”
He recovers quickly, almost like he’s sorry he said it. “They’re gonna try, but you know how it goes with work and schedules.”
Actually, I do know. My dad has missed plenty of school activities. He hasn’t seen me cheer since I became captain, and last year, he forgot my birthday while working on a big project. It wasn’t until two days later when he lookedat a calendar that he finally remembered. I’ve never held it against him. He loses himself in work sometimes, but when he is present, I always know how much he loves me.
“I’m sorry,” I say anyway. Regardless of whether or not Rowan’s okay with it, I know it can feel crummy in the moment. Especially with everyone else’s families around to show you that you’re not the same.
“It’s okay. You’re going to cheer loudest for me, right?” He nudges me with an elbow.
“I just might.”
He chuckles softly like he knows I won’t really be cheering loudest for him. “It’s his loss.”
“We’re not…” I trail off. “It’s not that serious. We’re just having fun.”
My stomach bottoms out not liking that assessment any more than the rest of me does. It isn’t about us being serious or not, it’s about wanting him to show up for me. To show me he can make room in his life for something other than soccer.
His gaze lifts over my head and his brows rise. “Are you sure about that?”
I swivel around, following his gaze. Vaughn stands just inside the doors of the theater, scanning the crowd with a look of almost-panic on his face. When his stare finally lands on me, I lift a hand. Relief floods his features, and his lips curve into a wide smile.
My stomach somersaults as he starts toward our group.
“Sorry I’m late,” he says in a rush. He’s holding a big bouquet of flowers—roses, peonies, carnations, and lilies—wrapped in brown paper. “These are for you.”
“Thank you,” I croak, throat dry. My heart has started racing, and I’m well aware that all eyes are on us.
“You made it.” Austin is the first one to break the silence. “And you’re making the rest of us look bad.”
“Yeah, where are my flowers?” Claire asks in a teasing tone.
Austin tips his head toward me. “I think that bouquet is big enough to share.”
I hold it closer to my chest protectively. “Back off my flowers, Disco.”
Everyone laughs, but I wasn’t kidding. They’re gorgeous and all mine.
