Oh.
Jake nods his head vigorously. Not even Charlie denies it, although I would have thought some kind of cos-play would be his jam.
An awkward silence develops after George’s admission, but we’re saved by the lunch bell—at least for the moment.
18
Dexter
The coffee shop closes early on Friday afternoons, as do all the other businesses in preparation for the football game. I have to admit I wasn’t a big fan of the games before Jake moved in. I was too busy being emo, getting arrested, and basically fucking off to worry about a wholesome community sport.
I still went to the games—we all did—but I was more likely to hang out in the parking lot behind the buses smoking weed and drinking crappy beer. Those days are gone, though—acting like a dick destroyed my family. I’m glad now, because it feels way more legit to sit in the ass-freezing bleachers with Starlee by my side than being a burn-out.
“You cold?” I ask her for the second time. She’s bundled under a light blue blanket my sister has had since she was in high school. I’ve got my leg pressed against hers.
“I’m okay,” she says. She wore a puffy black coat and mittens and a hat. Her nose is red and adorable. “Where’s Charlie, again?”
“He works the stats for the team, which you’d think was him showing his school spirit and brotherly support, but really it just means he gets to sit in the comfort of the heated announcer’s box up there.” I point to the enclosed box at the top of the bleachers.
“And Sierra? I thought she’d sit with us.”
“She’s over in the parent section. She knows half the parents from when she was back in school here. She’s younger—since she’s obviously not old enough to have four teenage boys, but still, it’s a small town. Everyone knows everyone.” I see my sister speaking animatedly to another woman. “She also loves the gossip she gets at the games.”
“Gossip?” Starlee looks surprised. I laugh.
“Oh yeah, this is where all the parents share the goods on parties and who’s dating who, and which teachers suck and if anyone got arrested recently.” I scowl at that one. I’ve definitely been the topic of discussion in these stands more than once. “Sierra just wants to know what’s going on and because of her age difference and not really being connected to those parents in the same way, this is how she keeps in the loop.”
“That makes sense.”
The cheerleaders are down on the track between the field and the bleachers. A large group of students dressed all in blue huddles at the base of the stands. Starlee and I sit just above them—not far from the student section but not right in it. I’m being petty. A little possessive. I just want to sit close to her under the blanket and spend time with her in relative peace.
As Starlee watches the game unfold, the players announced on the field, the coin toss and the band warming up, I watch her. Her bright eyes take it all in and her
hand clutches mine.
“How come you never played football?” she asks after the kickoff.
“I was too busy getting in trouble.” I watch the other team catch the ball and rush forward. Our defense stops them pretty quickly. “It probably would have been a good outlet for my anger issues.”
“Baking pies isn’t a bad coping mechanism.”
“It’s not very manly. Not like Hollingsworth out there.” Jake is on the field, his number 45 visible on his massive shoulders from the stands.
“It takes a lot of confidence to wear an apron—it’s manly in a whole other way.”
She looks back out at the field, cheering for Jake, completely unaware of how her words rile me up. We’ve barely had a moment alone, but when we’re together she says things like that—sweet things—sexy things, and it’s driving me absolutely fucking wild. It’s not like I can make a move on her while we’re sitting in the stands anyway, not with Sierra and all the parents watching. Not with so many people around that don’t know we’re together. Not without people talking.
Instead, I focus on the game and start explaining it the best I can to Starlee, who has no idea what’s going on. I have no idea if she’s getting any of it but it’s helping me chill the fuck out. Two weeks ago, I couldn’t have imagined her being here. And that’s enough. More than enough.
19
Starlee
Dexter indulges me and waits for me while I watch the marching band and dance teams at halftime. The sparkly sequins on the girls’ outfits are mesmerizing. It’s moments like this that I left my home for—simple, high school moments. Nothing like listening to the marching band play the theme from Star Wars to make life feel complete.
As the bands are wrapping up, Dex leads me through the crowd to the concessions area.
“Hot chocolate,” I tell him. “I need hot chocolate and to pee.”