Settling next to Eden, I turn to the table. “Mind if we join you?”
Eden is just looking at me. Pia flourishes her hands to the open seats, gesturing for the girls to sit.
There are a few minutes of shuffling, banging, and clattering before everyone is sitting and digging into their food. Eden nibbles on a carrot stick, her eyes ping-ponging between her friends and mine. She looks adorably confused.
“Looking forward to tonight?” I ask Eden in a low voice so only she can hear.
“I mean, I guess.” She shrugs, making me laugh.
“You’re totally dreading it, aren’t you?”
Sighing, she drops her carrot and turns to me. “It’s going to be cold, and I haven’t a clue what the rules of football are. Or why you lot insist on calling it football considering you use your hands.”
“Eden, you have enough hoodies to open your own store. As for the game, you don’t have to know the rules.Just shout when everyone else does and have a good time. Anyway, I thought you were coming along to see me?”
Yes, I’m flirting.
A shade of red tints her cheeks. “I’m coming along because of you.”
My turn to feel the heat.
“And I appreciate your support,” I say, knocking into her.
The moment feels loaded, and if I were braver, I’d ask her out, but we’re surrounded by people, and I couldn’t stand to be let down in front of a crowd.
The rest of lunch goes by quickly. I’m pleased to see everyone getting along so well. I’m absolutely talking to Becca later, because she is totally into Bella. I’ve never seen her like this.
The bell rings and we all say goodbye. For a crazy moment, I consider pulling Eden in for a hug, but think better of it at the last minute, which makes our goodbye slightly awkward.
Instead of Art, I’m heading to the gym. Ms. Billings had no issue letting me skip class. I think it’s a relief for her. I’m really,reallybad at art.
The sun is shining, and it’s nice and warm, but the temperature will drop this evening. We’ll keep our jacketson until the last second. It’s important nobody’s muscles get cold.
By the end of the afternoon, I’m wired.
The stands are packed, and the noise is almost offensive to my ears, but I manage to block it out. I have a series of tumbles coming up that I have to concentrate on. It’s the end of our routine and so far we’ve nailed it.
Trent and Mikey are sweating as they haul Daniella one last time in the air. She performs the stunt perfectly. Now it’s my turn. Taking a deep breath, I launch myself into a run in front of the squad, who are in a perfect pyramid, and execute my gymnastic skills with precision.
The second I land, the crowd goes nuts.
To make things even better, our boys win the game by a landslide.
My eyes scan the bleachers until I land on Eden, Pia, Todd, and Bella. Pia and Todd are hugging and clapping at the victory. Bella is next to Eden, whispering in her ear.Eden looks confused as hell, so I’m guessing Bella is trying to explain what she’s just watched.
Seeing her makes me smile. Hard. She’s wrapped up in one of her large hoodies, with a thick scarf wrapped around her neck. It’s not even cold, not compared to what it will be like in a few weeks.
She has her hands shoved in the front pocket of her hoodie, and all I want to do is put my hands in there too. What would it be like to entwine our fingers?
A shudder runs down my back at just the thought.
I wave at her as soon as she spots me. She waves back and gives me a small grin. God, she’s…
“Sloane, stop drooling. We need to get changed,” Becca shouts in my ear.
Right, I need to get showered and changed before heading to Bryce’s party. A party I really hope Eden will attend. Becca’s been working on Pia for the past two days. If Pia comes along, so will Eden, hopefully.
If Eden were my girlfriend, I’d have skipped over to her and given her a kiss before heading to the locker room. But she’s not, so I just give her another wave before heading inside.
