Page 23 of Catching Feelings

How dare Ryan? Of all the things to tell people about that night—to tell his cousin—to tell Tyler—

It feels like a dog marking his territory by pissing all over it, and I am not in the mood to get urinated on.

Ryan clearly needs to learn his lesson the hard way.

I look back at Tyler, who’s watching me warily. His shoulders look even broader when he’s standing there motionless, as if on guard. Patient but intimidating.

Perfect.

The corners of my mouth tug up in a smile. “Oh, we’re going to homecoming.”

Tyler’s eyes light up, and it makes my stomach flutter unexpectedly.

“As friends,” I clarify.

Maybe more for myself than for him.

“Of course.” He nods, but his mouth is stretching into a smile too. “How else would we go? But, um… catch me up. Why are we back on?”

“Because Ryan won’t take no for an answer, and now he’s making things up, and maybe I need to send him a very clear message,” I say crisply, folding my arms over my chest.

Tyler’s mouth twists in hesitation. “Don’t get me wrong, I’d love nothing more than to be back on.” The swoop of hope in my chest is stronger than the moment deserves—but then Tyler slowly says, “I just don’t want to hurt his feelings. Maybe you should… talk to him?”

“Trust me, there are no feelings involved.” I huff a frustrated sigh. “Just flirtation because he can. As soon as he knows I’m off the table, he’ll move right along to the next girl.”

Conflicting emotions flicker across Tyler’s face, clouds racing across the sky. But then he cocks his head at me and grins, his whole face opening up like the sun coming out. “You got it, blondie. Message coming right up.”

I grin back, ignoring the way my stomach flip-flops at his authentic smile. At my nerves that I’ll regret letting my anger flare. At my suspicion that dodging Ryan this way might be—at least a little bit—an excuse to hang out with Tyler.

I shake it off. I can keep my attraction to this guy under control just like everything else messy and unexpected in my life.

There’s nothing to worry about here. Just two friends going to homecoming together.

12. TYLER

As the calendar turns to September, I start to feel more at home in Hamilton Lakes. I don’t need help finding my classes anymore, I have a regular order at the diner (vanilla milkshake and fries), and we’re settling into a routine on the team. Mondays are quick practices in helmets only; Tuesdays and Wednesdays are workdays in full pads, ready for hitting, tackling, and running; and Thursdays are walk-throughs, jerseys only, resting up in preparation for Friday games.

Just like Brownsville. But Hamilton Lakes has the volume turned way up.

I’m already getting treated like some kind of local hero. When I stop through the coffee shop downtown, the barista serves me a mocha before I even order—and half the time, it’s on the house. When I pass through the halls, students I’ve never met wish me good luck and welcome me to Hamilton Lakes. Even the cafeteria workers slap an extra scoop of potatoes on my tray.

And reminders of Brownsville are becoming less barbed. When Santi texts me again, it just says, Miss you at practice. Things are pretty boring around here now that John’s not running his mouth so much. Maybe you can come back to visit soon?

The knot in my chest releases just a little. I don’t plan to come back anytime soon, but it’s good to know things aren’t getting even worse in my absence. I consider texting about Kate—asking if she’s talking to anyone, or at least if she seems to miss me at all—but ever since my conversation with Sabrina, I care a lot less about what’s happening back home and a lot more about what’s happening here.

“Heads up about Ms. Moore,” Sabrina says, falling into step easily beside me as I head toward first period. “She likes to give pop quizzes, and now that everyone’s settled in, the gloves are off.”

I look up with exaggerated fear. “Oh shit. Are you saying I should be actually doing my homework?”

Sabrina opens her mouth and raises her hand as if to smack me, but then she catches the glint in my eye. “Okay, no need to give me a heart attack. I’m just trying to keep you from flunking out of this school the second you arrive.”

I can’t resist. I raise an eyebrow. “Are you saying you like having me around?”

She shrugs, and the rose-and-vanilla scent of her wafts around me. “We’ll keep you. But only if you have a talent.”

“A talent?”

“Sure.” She looks at me impatiently. “You remember all those posters you were hanging for me? Did you notice how all of them had a talent we’re advertising for the pep rally except yours?”