Dare You to Fall for the Catcher (Rock Valley High 3)

“Thanks, but I’m on a sugar cleanse until after football camp,” he said, a proud smile tugging at his lips.

Audrey grabbed his arm and beamed at me, excitement dancing in her eyes. “He’s just been recruited to State’s football team. He’ll be redshirting in the fall when we both start in the music program. Isn’t that perfect?”

“That’s amazing.” I sighed happily for them, feeling slightly overwhelmed.

It was only a couple weeks until graduation and then everyone would be doing their own thing. Trina was headed to Northwestern and her boyfriend Mason would be at a school only an hour away playing basketball. Mandy had come back from her ankle injury better than ever and had qualified for the state track competition. After that, her scholarship would take her to the University of Illinois. Jayden was still trying to decide where to go, but I had the sneaking suspicion he’d choose the school closest to my sister. The two had been inseparable since that promposal.

My sister’s friends had been such a constant in my life for so long. I was happy for all of them as they graduated and moved on, even if it felt like I was losing part of my family. After permanently ditching Sarah and her nasty group of girls, I was still wading through a world of high school like a loner. But that was going to change this year. This year, I was going to figure out exactly who I was and where I fit in.

“By the way, have you guys seen my sister?” I asked Audrey. “I want to see her all dressed up. For a while there, I thought those yoga pants had permanently stuck to her skin.”

Audrey nodded and pointed toward the dance floor. It didn’t take long to pick out my sister slow dancing in her vibrant purple gown, her hair twisted up into a fancy updo with blonde ringlets falling down everywhere. Jayden held her tight in his arms, looking dashing in a slim-cut black tuxedo. They swayed to the beat of a slow song, Mandy reaching up to place a tender kiss on his lips as the back of his neck flushed red.

The sight of them together took my breath away. The reminder that I’d almost come between them was like a stab to the gut. But Mandy had never blamed me and somehow, all the damage had been patched up and those two were nauseatingly cute.

I don’t think I’d ever come close to saying enough sorries to her or our parents for what I put them through. My upcoming junior year was officially going to be zero drama.

No trouble.

Not even a sneeze.

That was my promise to them and myself. And I was determined to keep it, no matter the cost.

My phone buzzed in the clutch purse hanging from my wrist. I rushed to put the drink tray on a table and read the message. The name I saw on the screen instantly made me smile. Hunter. My best friend since middle school. The person who knew me better than anyone in the world. The boy who’d had to move away with his mom at the start of this year to some dude ranch in Texas. I missed him with every fiber inside of me.

Hunter: Hey Char char

I know you’re at prom tonight, but can you do me a favor?

I typed as fast as my fingers would work.

Me: Sure! What’s up?

Hunter: Go take your break outside the teacher’s lounge and tell me what color the moon is ASAP.

I laughed softly at his request, feeling a familiar warmth spread throughout my gut. We’d spent the last year apart comparing the moon’s color in Rock Valley to his dusty little Texas town. It always made me feel a little closer to him to be looking at the same thing.

Slipping away from the party, I hurried toward the teacher’s lounge and pushed through the exit, being sure to prop it open with a rock so I could return to my post. As soon as the cool night air hit me, I took out my phone and dialed Hunter’s number.

“I’m thinking tonight’s hue reminds me of a slice of American Cheese that’s been left in the lunchbox over winter break,” I said as soon as I heard the other line pick up, craning my neck to look up at the moon. “What about yours?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Hunter’s voice came through the line. It had deepened over the last few months, but it still held that familiar tone that made me feel all wrapped up in a comfortable blanket. “I was thinking something a bit more romantic, like those little flecks of yellow in your blue eyes.”

I placed my hand on my hip, holding back a giggle. “Okay, I could see that. Amazing. Hundreds of miles apart and our moon looks the same. Almost makes me feel like you’re here.”

“What if I was?”

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; My lips formed a pout. “Don’t even joke about that. After the last couple weeks I’ve had, I wouldn’t be able to survive if you got me all excited about my best friend coming into town and then broke my heart.”

“Charlotte, I’d never break your heart,” he said in a low voice. “Remember? That’s why we made the pact. Nothing is ever going to come in the way of our friendship. Not even five hundred miles.”

I sighed and wrapped my arm around the bodice of my dress. It was good to be reminded that even during the times I felt totally lonely and isolated at Rock Valley High, my best friend was still out there. I’d never be totally alone.

“Okay, I believe you,” I said with a laugh. “You’re forgiven.”

“Good, because I have a surprise for you. Look up.”