“All good.”
He’s bullshitting me—and I know that because lying is like a second language to me. I’m impressed I can read his moods so fluently, though. That’s new for me. Most of my peers bore me, but I could spend hours peeling back his layers—I’m starting to realize that the more I get to know him, the better I get to know myself.
“Let’s go,” he says curtly. “I’ve got a scrimmage with a local team as soon as we’re done here.”
“Do you ever have a day off?”
“Nope.”
He shoves his sunglasses back into place, and as I head around to the passenger seat, my mind is racing. I recognize this vibe—he’s acting the way he has whenever he’s been mad at me. I double back and lean down into his window.
“If today’s not a good day, we could always reschedule.”
He seems to think for a moment, and I brace myself for the letdown.
“No.” He meets my gaze. “I think it’ll do me good to get out of my head for an hour.”
“You sure?”
He nods. “The championship is a big deal—it’s kind of tearing me up. I’m a little stressed-out today, you’re right. But it’s nothing to do with you.” He pats the seat beside him. “Plus, I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” I shudder. “Okay, maybe we do need that rain check, after all.”
“In the car. Now. And that’s an order.”
I arch an eyebrow at him, and he starts to laugh.
That’s better.
Once I’m settled in my seat, he grabs a plastic bag from the back and tosses it into my lap.
“Just for you.”
He sounds cheery, and I shoot him a quick glance. When he getsinto Campus Driver mode, he does an amazing job of putting on a brave face, and I hope I manage to do the same.
I turn back to my gift, opening the bag and peeking inside. All I can see is some kind of cloth. And it’s pink. I recoil. Scratch that—it’s the grossest pink I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’m starting to get a very bad feeling about this.
“Nope.” I shake my head.
“You haven’t even looked at it yet…”
“The answer’s still no.”
I pluck the T-shirt out of the bag, shaking it open and letting out a “Fuck no” when I see the lettering.
“This is all part of your onboarding, Firebird.”
“Am I being hazed?”
“I wouldneverdo that to you!”
I flash him a withering look, and he pulls an angel face in response. “Die,” I mouth.
“It’s symbolic—a meaningful token to mark the start of something life-changing.”
“That’s so moving.” I pretend to wipe away a tear. “These are tears of terror, by the way. Have you seen thecolorof this thing?”
“Hey, you wore a redneck hat on New Year’s Eve—now all of a sudden you have standards?” He grins. “Did you see the back?”
