When we walk upstairs, we find the two of them in the kitchen making cookies. “Hey, we’re going to take off.” I walk up to Leah, hugging her. “We have a test in chemistry on Friday that we need to study for.”
“Thanks for coming over. It was fun. We need to do another sleepover,” Leah says.
“Yes, that’d be fun. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” I smile.
Ford and Jack say goodbye, and we head to my house to study chemistry.
40. Make Your Team Proud
I come out of my house Friday afternoon, and Hannah is leaning against her car, looking at her phone. She looks like a sparkly angel. She’s wearing a cheer uniform I’ve never seen her in. The skirt is straight instead of pleated and white, except for a thick red band around the bottom. Her top looks like a sweater with puffy sleeves and is entirely white except for the word Titans across her chest in red and black. She has her hair down tonight with two little red bows on her head. Every exposed piece of skin is covered in a layer of shimmery glitter that makes her glow.
“Are you ready to go? Or do you want to gawk a little longer?” She twists her mouth up into a smirk and finally looks at me. To answer her question, I drop my football gear on the sidewalk.
“Oh, jeez. Move it or lose it, Stud.” She pushes off the car and starts to walk around the front of the vehicle to the driver’s side. I leave my football stuff where it is and run around the car. I sweep her off her feet before she can get in, drag her back to the passenger side, and open the car door.
“You look amazing. You didn’t wear this uniform to school today?”
She glances down at her clothes. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.”
“Leah got the shipment in today. She was so excited she wanted us to wear them tonight.”
“I like the white.” I skim my finger along the edge of her sleeve.
“Me too. I’m just afraid of how dirty it will get and how well it will clean up.”
“It will help you stand out and be seen down on the field when you cheer.”
Hannah nods. “That’s for sure.”
I can’t resist, and I lean in, covering my mouth over Hannah’s. She makes a little noise in the back of her throat when I slip my tongue in, that sends a chill down my spine and goosebumps bead across my skin. She wraps her arms around my neck, pressing herself to me. I trail my hands down her back and grip her bottom. “So good.” I breathe over her lips when we break apart.
“Extremely. I just need you to switch to cinnamon toothpaste, and it’ll be earth shattering,” Hannah says, nipping at my jaw.
I chuckle into her neck, placing a kiss there. “It’s minty fresh.”
“I do like getting fresh with you.”
Hannah’s phone beeps with a text, and a few seconds later, mine rings. “We’re late.”
“Not my fault.” Hannah laughs.
“No, not one bit. Come on.” I help Hannah in the car, then hurry and grab my stuff. We’re ten minutes late getting to the school, but they’ve just started loading all our gear and equipment. People are still loitering around the parking lot.
I help Hannah out of the car and walk her to the cheerleader’s bus. “Have a delightful ride.”
“You too. Don’t miss me too much.”
I shake my head. “Not possible.”
She tilts her head, smiling. “I know.”
“I walked into that one.”
Hannah scrunches her forehead.
“What’s wrong?”
