Page 56 of Kickoff

My humor died down, and I nodded. “I won’t. You have my word.”

He nodded back.

We were good—at least on this front.

Our fans filled the field, with girlfriends, supporters, and family circling us. Hugs, kisses, and congratulations surrounded me, but I felt like a spectator in the whole scene. I perused the space around me and noticed Paige and a group of girls fawning over Craig, Rusty, and Sheldon, but no trace of Melinda. Tanya and the cheer squad hugged me, but I barely registered a word they said. I forced a smile on my lips, pretending I’d heard their praises.

When I cocked my head to the side, I spotted her, walking away, her back to me as she climbed up the steps toward the parking lot. No congratulations, no winning hug, no eye rolls. She ignored me and chose to leave.

Even though it might not have been personal, it still felt as if someone had stabbed my heart and left it to bleed.

16

Are you being stupid on purpose?

“I know what you said, and I heard you, but could you maybe reconsider Homecoming tonight?” Craig asked, standing in the doorway of my bedroom, wearing a black suit with a crisp white shirt and holding a violet corsage in a small box.

“Who knew you could clean up nice?”

He shook his head, not engaging with me.

“No. Not going. Sorry, brother. I made it clear already.” I stretched on my bed, pressing my back to the headboard, and grabbed the remote on my nightstand. “I have a very important date with the last superhero movie.” I gestured for him to move aside with my hand. “If you’ll excuse me, you’re in the way. Have a nice night, wrap it up, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Wow, Mase. If these are the tips you give Chase when he goes out, no wonder he’s turned into a man whore. Gosh, I’m lucky I’m the older brother between the two of us and that Mom and Dad never gave us a younger sibling. You would be a terrible role model.”

“Nah, I’m not buying this. Deep down, you wish I was the oldest so I could teach you how to walk on the other side of the line because we both know that’s where the fun is.”

“Whatever. So…about Homecoming…?” His phone rang, and he looked like he was expecting it. “Hey. Yes, I asked him.” Pause. “Nah. He prefers to watch guys in tights fighting on TV instead.” Pause. “I know. You gotta be the one asking him.” Pause. “Yeah, I know he’ll listen to you better. You’re probably right about him. Gimme a sec.” Craig handed me his phone.

“Hey, babe. What’s going on?” I asked when Paige’s voice greeted me on the other end of the line.

“Mase, before you hang up, please listen to me. I need your help… Huh, no. Mel needs your help. It’s kinda an emergency.”

The mention of my next-door neighbor was enough to trigger the curious side of me. “What about Mel?”

“Landon’s dad busted him with weed.”

“What?” I pulled myself upright on the bed.

“He’s banned from going to the dance and grounded for a month. He’s not allowed to use his phone, and his car keys have been confiscated.”

“Fuck. How do you know?”

“His sister. She called Madeline who told me because we’re in the same Biology class.”

“What does it have to do with me?”

“Mel must be all ready by now, waiting for him to show up. Imagine her face when she realizes he’s not coming.”

“Paige…” If I jumped at the chance to go with her, my brother and she would know about my secret crush. I wasn’t ready to be on the hotspot. Not before Melinda and I agreed upon what we were to each other—or before we even had a chance to really befriend each other.

“Craig is coming to my place to pick me up. We were all supposed to meet here, the four of us, and take pictures. I gotta be at school early since I’m part of the homecoming committee.”

“And you want me to—?” I wanted her to spill it so it wouldn’t sound like it was I who had come up with the idea but she who had coerced me into going.

“Damn, Mase. Are you being stupid for the sake of it? You dress up nice, you store that ego of yours for a few hours, and you go next door, ring my best friend’s doorbell, and you ask her to the dance. I can’t believe I have to spell it out for you.”

“Does Mel know about this plan of yours?”