Jodie crosses her arms over her chest. “Interesting. You guys had time to catch up?”
I explain how Nash followed me into the changing room and made sure I was ok. “He was very nice. Not the arrogant, stuck up jock people said he was on campus.”
“Hmm.” Jodie seems deep in thought. “So how did he come to tell you why he moved here? When you had that crush on him, you were sure he didn’t even know your name.”
I shrug. “He actually remembered me from that class we had together.”
“Did he say anything else? Did he mention… you know?”
As if I could ever forget it. “He kinda did. We were talking about how lovely Star Cove is and he said something about the vibe on our old campus not being good after the murder.”
That piques Jodie’s attention. “Is that all he said?”
“Yeah. Why?”
I know my best friend better than the back of my own hand. “You look worried.”
Jodie doesn’t say anything for a beat. “I don’t know if we have something to worry about. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. But you know that Nash was at the Gamma house party on our last night on campus?”
“Was he? I must admit I didn’t see him. You know I got there because I wanted to find a hookup and Tim came to talk to me the second we got there. I didn’t pay attention to anything else.”
She nods. “I guess his presence here isn’t an immediate red flag. I assume that if anyone had seen us leave the Gamma house the morning after the party, the cops would have already tried to get in touch with us.”
She’s right.
“But they haven’t arrested anyone for Tim’s murder. So I’m sure they would have kept tabs on everyone who was at the Gamma house party. Especially the brothers who lived there.”
Like Nash, most of the hockey team were Gamma Delta Tau members.
“I think we’ll be ok. But it would be better to avoid jogging Nash’s memory. In case the police follow up with him and he remembers having seen you the night of the party. That would put you on the cops’ radar. I think you should make sure to stay out of Nash’s way as much as you can.”
“You’re right.” I sigh.
Jodie looks at me with a strange expression on her face. “Are you sure it’s ok? You aren’t still crushing on Nash, are you?”
“No, of course not.” I immediately deny it, but there’s a kernel of guilt in my heart because I’m not being completely honest with her.
I’ve never stopped thinking about Nash, and he’s been on my mind a lot since yesterday’s audition.
Before he came to my rescue, I didn’t know him at all. All I knew about Nash was the stuff people said about him on campus. But after he came to my rescue and talked me down from a semi-panic attack, offering his help if Carole and Lexi had held my nip slip against me… after all that I’ve been thinking about him even more than when he was just a little crush.
“Good,” Jodie says. “This is your fresh start, Tar-Tar. You have everything going for you right now. The chance to make the most exciting professional cheerleading team in the country and two hot hockey players fighting for your attention. Let’s leave the past behind.”
I can’t argue with Jodie’s logic.
“Honey, I’m home!” Talia’s voice comes from the living room and we both run to welcome her.
We all squeal with excitement, hugging each other and jumping up and down. We’re future cheerleaders after all.
Two deep voices distract us from our impromptu celebration.
“Where do you want these, Tal?” Tucker is speaking to his sister, but his dark blue eyes are locked on me.
“Hey pretty girl,” Colsen winks.
They’re both carrying some of Talia’s things.
“You’re so lucky to have two strapping hockey players helping you move in.” Jodie says to Talia.
