Tasha cinched the flannel tighter around her waist and squirmed in place. “Everyone knows you ask people by leaving candy and stuff on the porch.”
“I never said I left candy either,” I snapped.
“I can’t believe you asked me, Harper,” Jett said. “I was trying to hint to you that whole time. I knew I’d have to say yes to the first girl who asked and I wanted that to be you.”
I hurried over to him and got onto the floor at his side. “I thought you were just teasing me. Until you said yesto Tasha, which really threw me off…”
“No wonder.” Jett cupped a gentle hand to my face. He came in, brushed his bruised lips over mine. “I’m so sorry,” he said.
I shook my head.“I’msorry that I didn’t just mention it.”
“Okay, okay,” Mr. Meadows barked, putting his arms up once more. “Let’s get back on track here.” He pointed a finger at Jett. “Coach isn’t going to be happy when he hears about this.” He moved the pointed finger to TJ. “And you—I could have Sheriff Lang here in in two seconds flat.”
“Can’t we just let everyone say that they’re sorry and let it drop?” I asked, hurrying to my feet. I approached Meadows and looked him in the face. “This really wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the whole misunderstanding.” I shot Tasha a look, but she was admiring her bright green fingernails.
“I think we’re past that point—” Mr. Meadows started to say, but Ms. Tolken stepped in and put a hand on his shoulder.
“Don’t you think that…” Her lashes fluttered, making me realize she’d tugged off her glasses. I glanced down to see she held them behind her back. Mr. Meadows’ face flushed red.
“If everyone is willing to drop it, there’s no sense in getting these kids—and theyareusually very good kids—into trouble.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. Or my eyes. This was a completely different woman than the one in polyester. TJ had called Jett Batman, which wasn’t far off if you asked me, but perhaps we had our very own Catwoman here at Sweet Water High as well.
“Well,” Mr. Meadows said with a one-shoulder shrug. He swiped a hand through his wavy hair, nodded, and turned his gaze back to Jett and TJ. “Areyou guys willing to drop all of this?”
TJ tipped his head. “Tasha,” he said. “Why did you do that? You told me that it was Coach’s idea for you to ask Jett since he didn’t have a date. What—you just wantedhimall along?”
Tasha puffed out a loud breath and tipped her head back. “Can we just get out of here?” She looked over at me. It was the first time I’d seen her look…embarrassed. She set her gaze back on TJ. “Look, I’m sorry. I’ll tell you more later. Let’s just go.”
TJ shook his head. “I’m willing to let this drop. I’m sorry for grabbing your butt, Harper,” he said, looking at me like a repentant child. “I know you’re not that kind of girl and I shouldn’t have done it.”
Sure, it sounded a little rehearsed, but something told me that TJ was, in fact, sorry.
“I just really wanted to make Tasha regret asking Jett,” he continued. “I didn’t knowthat Harper had asked him. And I definitely didn’t know Tasha made it look like you didn’t by doing…whatever she did.”
Tasha leaned heavily on one hip and sighed.
Meadows and Tolken set their eyes on me expectantly.
“Harper?” Ms. Tolken prompted.
“I accept your apology,” I said.
“Jett?” Meadows said.
Jett looked between TJ and me, then turned back to Mr. Meadows. “I’m good if she’s good,” he said. “As long as he keeps his hands off her from here on out,” he added under his breath.
Mr. Meadows nodded to Ms. Tolken. “We can’t exactly keep this between us since half the school witnessed it, but wecanlet Principal Parks know that you and I took care of the matter and saw fit to let things drop.”
A massive weight lifted from my shoulders. Jett had a lot riding on his basketball career, and I was grateful that this wouldn’t put that at risk. I wanted to give both Mr. Meadows and Ms. Tolken a big giant hug, but I settled for a “thank you so much!” instead. I thanked TJ too, and he headed out and into the parking lot alone.
Tasha, also flying solo now, scurried back into the gym, but not before mumbling something to Jett about finding his own ride home.
“We’ll let you two talk,” Ms. Tolken said once the four of us were left in the hall. She grabbed Mr. Meadows’ elbow, and together, the two chaperones returned to the party.
“Was she your ride?” I asked.
Jett nodded.
