Now I feel bad. It might be fun to play with Ford on the sideline coaching me.
“Awesome. With you as a coach, we’ll get tons of girls to sign-up and play.” Beckett gives me a sheepish look. “Sorry, Clark, but it’s the truth.”
“Are you sure you won’t play?” Ford asks me again.
“Can I think about it?” I ask him.
Ford nods. “I’ll take it over a no.”
“You’re going to at least come to the game, right?” Ty asks. “You don’t want to miss my and Cameron’s cheerleader impersonations.” I knew it.
“I wouldn’t miss that for the world,” I say.
We finish eating and hang out and talk about the game and Homecoming week.
When we get in the car to go home, I fall asleep. Ford parks the Venue, and I sit up and open my door to get out, but see that we’re idling in front of his house, not mine. Ford gets out, and Jack gets in the driver’s seat. Ford grabs his football gear, then comes around, opening my door. “Walk me to the house.”
“Okay.” I nod, and he helps me out of the car. “I thought you were staying with Jack? Please stay with Jack?” My voice hitches. I’m tired, and my emotions are frayed.
He wraps a wayward curl around his finger and then pushes it behind my ear. “My mom is home.”
I give him a pleading look, not understanding what he’s saying. “That’s never stopped you before.”
Ford pulls me close. “After last weekend, I know if I stay at your house, I won’t stay away from you.”
“I don’t want you to.”
“What if your parents or Jack caught us? I have too much respect for your family, and my friend.”
“You’re right, but it’s the only safe place we have to be together.” I bite my lower lip to keep it from trembling.
“Hannah,” Ford leans his forehead against mine, squeezing my shoulders. I can tell he’s at war with himself over what to do. I want more than anything to be with him, but I don’t want him to compromise his standards. That will lead to resentment, and I never want that to happen.
“Okay.” I take a deep breath, getting control of my emotions. “I’ll respect your decision.”
He cups his hands around my face. “Thank you.”
I want to tell him thank you for respecting my family and helping me respect them and their home. He’s a better friend than I could ever be. Instead, I throw my arms around him, holding him tight because there’s an almost imperceptible nagging feeling that we’re being forced apart.
I spend Saturday dress shopping with June and Sunday at the bookstore, studying with Ford. It’s a great weekend, but there’s this constant tension that someone’s lurking in the shadows, taking pictures of us that dampens the mood.
42. Zombie Cheerleader
“BOO!” Hannah jumps in front of the door as I walk into her house.
“Eff me!” I jump back, startled.
She doubles over laughing. I stand back, staring at her. She’s wearing her cheer uniform, but she’s painted her face to look like a zombie. She’s painted dark circles around her eyes and taken red paint and putty to make it look like the flesh on her cheek is rotting away. Her lips are red with red face paint down the side like she’s drooling blood. Even her hair is big and wild, with curls everywhere. “Wow! You look fantastic.”
She gives me a stern look, crossing her arms. “Where’s your costume?” I open my letterman jacket and show her my shirt. “Zombies don’t like fast food.”
“You get it? Because I’m a fast runner.” I laugh.
“I get it, but this doesn’t count as dressing up.” Hannah narrows her eyes at me.
“Sure, it does. Look…” I point to the zombies on my shirt. “Those are zombies.”
Hannah rolls her eyes, unconvinced. “I do like the shirt. Where’d you get it?”
