I take a bite of my cone so I can refocus. “So, um, how’s Brody taking his demotion?”
He rolls his eyes. “Pretty much like you’d imagine. He’s decided to simultaneously stop caring about everything related to percussion while also pointing out my every flaw to the rest of the section. He thinks he’s being subtle, but it’s so obvious that he’s trying to turn the section against me. The others have been cool, though. I took a few of the youngerplayers aside after practice earlier this week and did some more rehearsing. I think it helped. How about you? Are you feeling better about guard?”
“Yeah, a little.”
“More guard secrets?” he asks with a small smile. “That’s fine, I won’t pry.” He takes another bite. “Actually, I’m curious about your take on Felix and Li.”
I shake my head in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, I probably shouldn’t say anything, but it seems like Felix is very…aware of Li. There’s been a few times I thought he was staring off in the distance during practice, but then I realized he was watching her.”
“Whoa, really?”
Today is full of surprises. I’m grateful that Felix hasn’t been rude to Li or the rest of us, but it never occurred to me that he might be interested in her.
Max tilts his head thoughtfully. “I don’t know, I haven’t talked to him about it. Maybe it was a coincidence. But those two could be cute together. You should give them more D&D homework so they have a reason to talk.”
I laugh in surprise. “Are youmatchmakingright now?”
“You make it sound like we’re living a hundred years ago. I’m not matchmaking, I’m just saying they have some common interests and they’re both younger band members. Plus, you said Li is a bit of an outsider in your section, like Felix.”
“That’s matchmaking,” I repeat, grinning. It’s adorable that his mind would even go there.
“Never mind, forget I said anything.”
“No, I think it’s cute, I’m just not getting involved in anyone’s love life. If there’s something between them, they’ll figure it out.”
“Maybe.” He leans forward. “But sometimes people never figure it out, even when all the evidence is right in front of them.”
Suddenly, I’m not sure if we’re talking about Li and Felix anymore. Instead of replying, I take another bite of my ice cream cone and hope it cools me down, since I’m pretty sure my temperature just skyrocketed.
Chapter Twenty-One
On Sunday morning, I wake up to a text from Max, asking if he can come over before D&D today so we can catch up on homework together. It’s the first text he’s sent since before he moved away. Honestly, I wasn’t sure he even had my number anymore.
I’m shocked by how elated I am at the idea of spending more time together. Last month I was dreading his visits with my entire essence, and now I’m counting down the minutes until I can do homework? What is happening to me?
“Hazel, stop tapping your foot like that.” Kelsey glares at me from across the dining room table. “You’re making the table shake and I can’t line up my stickers right.”
We’re sitting together while she works on her latest sticker book craft and I (pretend to) read for my English class while I actually watch the clock on my phone. I force myself to stop and shake out my limbs.
“Sorry.”
“Why are you so twitchy?”
“Just bored. Wait until you’re in high school and then you’ll understand.”
“It’s because Max is coming,” she says without looking up. She’s too busy placing her stickers just so to form a unicorn.
“No, it’s not. And how do you know that?”
“Mom told me. She said they might take me to Aunt Mary’s house early today since you’d have a friend over. Your friend who’s aboy.” She waggles her eyebrows.
There’s a short knock on the front door and then I hear it creak open.
“Hello?” Max’s voice calls from the hall.
I stand, but not before Kelsey has flown out of her seat and toward the front door. I hurry after her.
