“Bro, it’s cool. Tried calling you, like, a million times, but your number’s disconnected.”
“My number’s not—” But I stop short when I remember I couldn’t pay the bill last month. After gritting my teeth, I push out a breath to calm myself. I can guess what he’s here for. “When’s the match?”
“Today. After school.”
“You’re shitting me. I have homework, tutoring, work.”
Mac shrugs. “That’s why I tried to reach you as soon as I heard.” He shoves his hands in his pockets, then grins, his lip piercing glinting. “But the dough, man.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “It’s worth it.”
“How much? Double?”
His grin broadens. “Triple.”
I swallow, my gaze falling to the floor. Shit. He knows I can’t turn that down. After a second, I nod. “All right. Leave the info tucked under the park bench.”
“I knew you were my man!” He slaps his palm against my back after I turn away.
I halt just before reaching the doorway. “And Mac ...”
“Yeah?”
“Next time you can’t reach me, use the bench. I’ll make sure to check it. Just don’t ever show up here again.”
Blue
It’s so clear. Not a cloud in sight. The birds are out, and if the windows were open, I’d hear them whistling. A sigh escapes my lips, and I wonder what Benji and Mom are doing. Well, Benji’s not hard to guess—he’s probably sitting on his roof, smoking weed and playing the banjo.
A bell rings, and I jolt, snapping back to the classroom. Students fly out of their seats, chatter and laughter spilling into the hall. The final school bell. Grabbing my backpack, I smile. I think my first day went okay. Except ... I don’t actually remember much about the classes themselves. Probably need to work on that.
Pushing past countless bodies, I head toward the exit with my chin lifted so I can scan the masses. The one person I’m looking for is tall enough to stand out, but I don’t see him anywhere. I had first and fifth period with him: English and chemistry. He was late to the latter, but then so was I. I got caught up in the front office trying to glue the strap of my sandal back on for the second time, and I stumbled through the door two minutes late. He stalked in just a few moments after me.
He didn’t look my way at all. I don’t think he noticed me. His shoulders were tense, and the second he landed in his seat he had laser focus on the teacher and his textbook. It was admirable, his intense concentration. Not gonna lie, it was kind of attractive too. My cheeks warm at the recollection, and—
Smack.
“Ugh!” someone squeals.
I almost land on my ass, barely catching myself with my palms, which are now drenched in cold brown liquid. A half-spilled iced coffee sits a few inches from my fingers. Picking it up before it empties completely, I struggle to my feet and lock gazes with the person in front of me.
Kimmie.
Her eyes are narrowed, cheeks blazing, and I think she might be fantasizing about strangling me. When I look down, I notice some of the coffee splashed onto her white shirt.
Whoops.I give an awkward, half-hearted smile and hand over the drink. What’s left of it anyway.
“Hey, Kimmie.”
“Hey?” She steps toward me, snatching the cup from my grip. “Hey?This is Ralph Lauren!”
I cringe. “Sorry, I’ll replace it. I didn’t see you.” She mutters something likeduh, and I flick my gaze around the bustling hall once more. “I was looking for someone. Joshua Hunt? Have you seen him?”
Wrinkling her nose, she gives me a funny look. “Yeah, good luck with that. Even if you do find him, he won’t talk to you.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I don’t know, he’s just not into girls. He’s, like, gay or something.” She shrugs, looking down at her cuticles. “Besides, he’s a bit much for you, don’t you think?”
“I don’t really know him. I just wanted to—”Wait, is that him?I stand on my tiptoes, tracking the back of a tall, muscular form as he paces out of the building. Kimmie’s saying something, but I step around her before I lose him. “Okay, yeah,” I mumble, glancing back at her and giving a quick wave. “Have a good one.”
