“Thank you, Clark.” Tyler waves as Ford walks away from them.
“You’re welcome, T. man. Go, Titans!” I half yell, half laugh.
“Where are you taking me, you big brute?”
“Where else? back to my cave.”
“Ooh, you’re not a brute. Batman, maybe?”
“Oh, Jeez.” Ford laughs and finally sets me down.
I frown at him, giving him a pouty face. “What was that for?”
“Do you and Jack always have to be so combative?”
I wave my hand toward where Jack and Ty are stretching. “He started it.”
“That’s the answer you’re going with?” Ford asks, trying to keep a straight face.
“Fine. He’s my brother. It’s what we do.”
Ford grabs the front of my shirt, pulls me to him, and kisses me. “That’s the reason I carried you off.”
“That was a fantastic reason.”
“I am full of great ideas.” We sit down on the grass to finish stretching.
“So, what do you think about Oregon State?”
Ford glances back at the guys. “If the recruiters are being honest with us, it’s awesome. I’d sign with them in a heartbeat for the chance to play four more years with my best friends. But something just doesn’t add up. Even Jack and T. thought it seemed too good to be true. We’ll see what happens, but we haven’t started looking for apartments near campus just yet.”
“Are you two lovebirds ready?” Ty asks.
Ford helps me up, and I stretch out my calves one more tim. “Hey, Jack.”
“What?” Jack pants. He’s jogging in place, waiting for Ford and me.
“Wanna make a bet?”
Tyler bends over, laughing, and I hear Ford groan behind me.
This week’s hairdo for the game is a lot like last week’s, big. Leah sections my hair, pulling each section into a ponytail on top of my head. Because my hair is so curly, she just wraps it around the base of the ponytail and secures the end with a bobby pin and lots of hairspray. The rest of the cheerleaders curl their hair with skinny barreled curling irons before securing it with bobby pins. We paint our arms, legs, and faces with paint, glitter, and temporary tattoos again. It’s fun to hang out and get ready with all the girls. I’ve never experienced comradery and friendship like this before, and I love it. I love being included in the group.
“Hey Clark, will you spray the back of my hair with the red glitter spray?” Piper asks, holding out the can for me.
“Of course. How much do you want?” I ask.
“Uh, all over, I don’t want it concentrated in any one area.”
“You got it.”
She turns around and bends down so I can see the top of her head. “So, did you and Ford ever get a turn in the janitor’s closet?”
The conversation in the room lulls to a quiet roar. “Um—no. We haven’t gotten the opportunity yet.” I laugh, feeling slightly embarrassed.
“So…question,” Piper says, turning her head to glance at me.
“Okay,” I say hesitantly.
