“Pops is too good for all the guys here,” Lyra says. Then she adds, “Wait, does this make you sisters?”
I shake my head at both of them and actually join in this time when they laugh.
Because Aric Vandermere is taking me out for cookies next weekend. And even if this doesn’t last, even if nothingcomes of it but memories, I want to try to enjoy it while it lasts, and I’m going to try to not be afraid.
Even if the idea of going on a date with him utterly terrifies me.
Chapter 15
Aric
COACH GRAYWARD RUNS THROUGH THE game with us in the team meeting room, going over what we did well and areas where we could improve. All the runeball teams play multiple games against one another over the course of the year, so we’ll face the Strikers again later this semester. And if Hexrush and the Sigil Strikers both make it into the finals again this year, we’ll have an opportunity to take them down and get the Arcane Cup back.
“All right, go eat and enjoy your weekend,” Coach says. Then he catches my eye. “Vandermere, hang back.”
A knot forms in my stomach. What does he want to talk about? My performance? My grades?
On his way by me, Leo says, “Good luck. See you out there.” He slaps me on the shoulder, then keeps walking.
Once the meeting room has emptied out, Coach takes a seat beside me.
“So, I talked to a few of your professors this week.”
The knot in my stomach tightens. Is this it? Is he about to bench me—or worse, kick me from the team entirely? I almost start to babble, wanting to explain, to do or say anything I can to stay on this team.
But Coach says, “Professor Elwood was especially pleased. She said you impressed her with a rune charm of some sort.”
I think of Ma’s ring, which is currently tucked safely into my bag, still glowing softly. I’m not sure when the charm will wear off, but I do know that Poppy’s the reason I got it to work in the first place. She’s the reason I haven’t lost my place on this team. Yet.
“Now, this doesn’t mean you’re in the clear,” Coach says, voice taking on that stern edge he uses when he wants us to listen closely. “I’m going to keep doing weekly check-ins with your professors until you get your grades up and are out of the woods. We need you on this team, Vandermere. We would’ve lost this game without you. So keep it up. I want you to hold the Arcane Cup this year. You deserve it.” He claps me hard on the back, almost knocking the air out of me. As a wolf shifter, he’s got muscle, even on me.
“I will, Coach. I promise.”
“Good.” He smiles, his fangs showing the barest amount. “Now get out of here. You’ve got better things to do than sit around with me all weekend.”
I shake his hand, then fetch my bag and head into the hallway outside the meeting room, only to find Leo leaning up against a stone wall, arms and legs crossed, waiting for me.
“So,” he says as he falls into stride beside me. “You off the team or what?”
I glance down at him. “Tryin’ to take my place already, huh?”
“I mean, I think I could be captain. I’m a natural-born leader.” He trips on a rogue textbook lying in the hallway, and I snatch the back of his tunic to keep him from face-planting.
“Yeah, and a natural-born klutz.”
Leo shakes me off, then says, “I saw you with that cute purple witch.”
A burst of defensive heat goes through me at the thought of other guys noticing her—and how damn cute she is. But that’s ridiculous, so I quickly tamp it down. It’s not like she’s mine... even though I like the idea. Maybe a little too much. “That was Poppy, my tutor. Remember?”
“Poppy, right.” Leo digs in his pocket for something, then comes up with a foil-wrapped candy. He quickly pops it into his mouth before looking up at me. “You’ve had girls falling all over you for as long as I’ve known you, but I saw that look you were giving her.” He nudges me as we walk. “It was different.”
I furrow my brow. “Different? Different how?”
Leo shrugs and sinks his hands into his pockets as we step out of the athletics building and into the crisp afternoon air, our shoes thumping on the warm cobblestones underfoot.
“Good game,” a girl calls as we walk by. “Amazing save, Aric.”
I smile at her but keep walking.
