Stay

Hope’s eyes widened. “You’re not trying out? Don’t all Europeans play soccer?”

“He’s not a team player, and the tryouts are for spring teams,” Mia said.

“Oh, I’m going. We can ride together.”

Niko raised his head from his paper, eyebrows arched. Mia was pleased, too, and hoped it meant he’d be here in the spring.

“I can do the team portrait,” Hope said.

“No, thank you.” Alexi was ever resistant to the idea of anything involving art, but he seemed more open to Hope’s friendly overtures since the gallery.

Hope walked Mia out. “How’s Alexi fitting in at school?”

Mia winced. She’d been dreading this question. “Um, he doesn’t. He likes who he likes and doesn’t care about anyone else. I can’t decide if it’s non-American or non-teenager, but it’s interesting.”

“Oh. Is he okay? Is he alone too much?”

“No, no, he’s fine. The privileged few quite like him.”

Alexi caught up to them so she stopped talking about him. Mia got in the limo and slid off her jacket. Houston was too hot for a jacket, even in the fall. Polyester combined with Houston’s humidity was just cruel. How had people lived through the seventies? Today’s uniform top consisted of a sleeveless shell. Alexi shook his head at it. He and his brother could be super-conservative. The school picked the uniforms. Schools were masters of the conservative. She turned her face up to the vent, reached up and opened it wider. Ah, cool air. Better. Her cheer top rose a little with her stretch. The purple shell came down in a V-shaped point across her midriff.

Alexi traced the V-shape with his finger.

Mia jumped a little, startled at the tingly feeling, and looked down at his hand.

Alexi pulled it back with a blush. “Sorry. That top. You—”

Mia slid back into the seat beside him. “Do it again.” She took his hand to skim it across her midriff, just above her belly button. Amazing. “It feels tingly, kind of like goose bumps, but different. Let me do you.” Mia stretched a hand toward the hem of his shirt. Slipping her hand just under the edge, she ran a fingertip along his skin.

Chapter 14

Mia brushed his abdomen back and forth lightly. “You feel different, very hard, what does it feel like to you…”

The door clicked. Vincent was opening the door.

Mia flushed and jerked back her hand. She hadn’t even realized the car had reached school. Who knew how long they’d been sitting there? She usually beat Vincent to the door. Slipping out, she told Alexi, “See ya at lunch.”

Alexi remained seated, his eyes glazed over, his hand clenched. She wanted to rejoin him. She left instead.

***

Mia watched soccer tryouts from the sidelines with the other cheerleaders. The coach made the guys do chin-ups. It was Mia’s favorite part. She forgot to cheer as she watched the muscles in their arms bunch then release as they lifted their body weight. It was hypnotic.

Alexi looked wonderful in gym clothes. She wished she stood closer to him so she could see the purple bring out the blue in his blue-gray eyes. He was also one of the fastest, and he made the team easily, as did the other European, Kristnaldo. After the announcement, Alexi jogged off the field and over to her. “Yay, Alexi.” Grinning, she put her arms around him and squeezed.

His arms encircled her waist. “I could hear you cheering for me.” Alexi smiled into her eyes. He released her and stepped back.

“You were awesome.”

Alexi glanced around as if to make sure no one was paying attention to them and hugged her again.

Jake jogged over. “I made it.”

Mia gave Jake a hug, too. “Great job, I knew you would.”

Jake hugged her tight until Mia wriggled out of his embrace.

Lauren unscrewed the cap on her water bottle and joined them. “Congrats, guys.” She offered the water to Jake.