His smile falters for a beat, just long enough to twist something in my chest. I still can’t believe his parents missed his first college Homecoming game. It’s so unlike them. Especially Kora. She never misses anything important.
It makes me wonder again if there’s more going on with his family than he’s let on. He hasn’t said much about it to me, but then again, I haven’t exactly asked much, either.
“Of course, silly. I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.” Amber’s voice is light and annoyingly possessive, like his words were meant only for her. “So, where to after? Anything going on at the frat house?” she asks, slipping her hand into his and giving him a suggestive look. “Or… we could head back to your place?”
He glances down at his feet.
“Actually, I’m beat,” he says, his cleats shuffling over the concrete. “Think I’ll just head home after Coach’s recap.”
I glance at him, surprised, but he’s still staring at the ground.
This is… unexpected. Hayes doesn’t do too tired to party—especially not on a Saturday night. And definitely not during Homecoming weekend.
“But I thought we were going out tonight?” Panic creeps into Amber’s voice.
“Sorry. Not feeling it.” He shrugs. “But I’ll see you at the Alpha Delts party tomorrow, right?”
“Well… duh!” She forces a laugh that lands a little too sharp. I can hear the crack of disappointment behind the fake cheer.
Meanwhile, I’m ecstatic.
I shouldn’t be. I know that. But I can’t help the little smile tugging at my lips. Maybe Hayes and I won’t hang out tonight like I’d hoped, but at least he’s not spending the evening with her, either.
“Have a great night, Hay!” I chirp, looping my arm through Mom’s and tugging her toward the parking lot. “Catch you later!”
“Actually, Al—hold up.”
He catches my wrist, pulling me back gently.
“Yeah?”
“Can I give you a ride home?”
“What?” Amber gasps. “I thought we were riding home together?”
“Al and I need to talk,” he says. “Argy stuff.”
“Oh. Okay, sure.” Her shoulders drop, interest evaporating the second the conversation turns to the dog. “Call me later, handsome. Can’t wait for tomorrow!”
She leans in to kiss his cheek, smile tight. I notice the way her steps falter slightly as she heads for Mom’s car—alone now, no longer riding shotgun with the star quarterback. But I don’t feel too bad for her. She’ll bounce back.
She always does.
“See you back home, sweetie,” Mom says, pulling me into a hug. “Let me know if you’re going to be out late.”
I let her hold me a little longer than I normally would because I still feel guilty about our argument earlier. Even when she sides with Amber, I know she means well. She’s not malicious. She just wants peace. It really does hurt her to see us constantly at odds. Mom believes family should stick together, especially one as small and fractured as ours. It’s just the three of us, after all. It makes sense to cling tight to what’s left.
I don’t necessarily disagree.
It’d just be a lot easier if Amber weren’t such a little shit most of the time.
Hayes tosses me his car keys, and I walk back toward the parking lot with Mom and Amber, say my goodbyes, and head for his SUV.
I find the G-Wagon easily enough—it’s parked right up front, in the VIP spots. Argyros spots me through the open moonroof and loses his mind, barking and thrashing around in the backseat.
The second I’m inside, the dog launches himself on me, half-jumping, half-climbing into my lap. I laugh, pushing him gently into the backseat, where he finally settles, tongue lolling as he curls up contentedly. Then I plug in my phone and cue up Paramore.
The opening chords fill the car. Angsty, punchy, perfect. I sing along softly to emo girl rock music as Argy drifts off.
