Another one of the guys, Micah, comes in, saying he needs a drink, too. He gulps down water like he’s a donkey at a trough.
“Let’s call Bentley to come over so we can play five on five,” Taysom says.
The boy—or should I sayman—is obsessed with football.
“He’s out of town, dude,” Micah says.
Taysom frowns, but then turns back to me and smiles, sets the cup down on the counter next to the sink, and goes back outside.
I wasn’t imagining that smile. Taysom said “hi” to me when he walked in. He called me by name. As cringey as my response was just now, my heart is leaping out of my chest.
I guess being thirteen really is magical after all. I can be like Maddy. I can be confident and go out to join the game.
Before I put on my sneakers, I run upstairs to the bathroom I share with my siblings. I slick on another layer of lip gloss, run a brush through my hair, and rub some sparkly, scented lotion on my knees and ankles. Despite the sheer whiteness of my legs, I’d say they’re my best feature. At least they’re long. And they haven’t freckled yet, unlike my face and arms.
“Where are you going?” Penny asks, appearing at the doorway to the bathroom, a stack of plastic blocks in her arms. With a name like Penny, you’d think she’d be the one to get the copper-colored hair (or let’s just call it what it is, inferno colored).
But no, she got my mom’s shiny brown locks.
“I was asked to play football with the guys.” I motion to the backyard. It’s a lie, but I don’t care.
“You said you’d play hotel.”
“Later, okay? They need me out there.”
“But I’m setting it up.” Penny likes to take all her stuffed animals and dolls and build a massive structure with blocks that she calls “hotel” and then pretends all of her stuffies and dolls are guests. There’s a lot of drama and intrigue and romance.
I used to kind of like playing it with her.
But I’m thirteen now. I can’t be doing childish things anymore. Still, I’ll do it—later—because I’m supposed to help watch her.
“I can’t. Get it set up and I’ll come in when the game’s over, okay?” I know my voice is harsh, but I can’t think of anything or anyone besides Taysom Reed and his deep voice and spicy, manly scent. And the hint of a smile on his lips as he left the kitchen.
“What about my PB and J?” Penny asks.
“Oh my gosh, it’s not even noon yet, Penny!”
“But I’m hungry.”
“Then make it yourself,” I retort. I do not have time for this.
Thankfully, Penny leaves and after I’m satisfied that I look acceptable, I go outside.
“I’m here for you guys,” I say in my most casual, confident voice as I stride down the stairs. “Let’s play five on five.”
Maddy scowls like,What’s gotten into you?but thankfully, she doesn’t make fun of the way my voice sounds.
“Okay.” Kyle shrugs and the guys form teams and somehow, miraculously, I’m on Taysom’s team.
I will not let you down, Taysom Reed.
I shouldn’t have so much confidence in my football abilities. I’m not exactly Miss Athlete. All my siblings play sports and they’re all really good. But I was born with a malformed hip, which wasn’t discovered until I was four years old. Since it got caught so late, I spent the next couple of years having surgeries and wearing a harness or a brace.
Yep. I was the kid who showed up to kindergarten in a brace that went from my mid-abdomen to my knees.
Talk about being branded as the “different” kid right from the start.
It was cruel and unusual punishment for a kid, and I still haven’t gotten over it. I probably never will.
