Page 18 of Kickoff

I watched Elk River, our small Michigan town about fifty miles northeast of Traverse City, through her window. Bordering the Grand Traverse Bay, it had the small-town charm while being close enough to the big city, so we had all the amenities within an hour’s drive. Other than the chilly winters, I loved everything about my hometown. Right now, all we could see were trees and more trees, a few businesses lining the road, and a strip mall. Nothing exciting enough to suck in Melinda’s interest.

A notification on my phone jolted me out of my thoughts. I fished the device from my pocket and unlocked it, thanking, in my head, whoever saved me from my own stupidity.

Jax

Throwing an end-of-summer bash tonight. You in?

Jackson Pettyfer was a left guard for the Elk River High Bears and one of the coolest people I knew. Always in a good mood and ready to party, he got the nickname The Organizer a few years back when he always found an excuse to throw a rager. Even when we were in middle school, he would come up with all kinds of ideas to have a group of friends over. Now that he was in high school, his parties had switched from videogame and soda nights to booze and midnight swim themes.

My phone chimed three times with incoming text messages.

Jax

Ten.

My uncle’s cabin by the lake.

Spread the word, everybody will come if you’re there.

My lips curled into a smile, and I typed a reply.

Me

You’re only using me for my popularity with girls and my social skills. Is that it?

Jax

Yeah. Pretty much. Can’t stand your ugly mug otherwise.

Me

Chick magnet is my only asset?

Jax

That and throwing a ball.

Bring beer. And a crowd.

Me

Fine. Let me see what I can do.

“You guys have something planned for later?” I asked Craig and the girls, relieved to have something to talk about and break that awkward silence once and for all.

My brother watched me through the rearview mirror. “Told you we were having dinner with the guys later.”

“Yeah, but I mean after dinner.”

Paige turned around in her seat to look at me. “What do you have in mind?”

“Jax is throwing an end-of-summer bash at the cabin by the lake. You’re all invited. You coming?”

She shrugged. “Could be fun.” Her attention drifted to her friend who had been oddly silent so far. “Are you in?”

“I suppose.”

Paige’s eyes shone with glints. “Okay, people, we’re going. We need to let loose before school resumes in two days. Senior year means attending parties and opening ourselves to new experiences.”