Payton shifted carefully, trying not to bump into any of the sleeping lumps sprawled all over the family room. It was like trying to navigate a mine field. She inhaled deeply, catching the scent of bacon drifting down from upstairs. Her dad must’ve been cooking a big breakfast, which he tried to do a couple times a month.
“Hey, Daddy.” She poked her head into the kitchen, her feet padding across the cold, hardwood floors as she went. He had several pans on the stove, along with the large pancake griddle on the center island. “Need some help?” Payton sat down on one of the barstools, facing her dad.
“Sure, if you want to get the pancakes going, that’d be a big help.” He leaned over and planted a kiss on her forehead. “So what’s this I hear about Kibby bugging you again?”
“It’s nothing. I’m sure she’ll get bored with messing with me and move on to her next victim.” She shrugged and grabbed the milk, pancake mix, and eggs from the cupboards and fridge. Then she got down a big mixing bowl and dumped the white-powder mix in.
“She’s probably just jealous.” He smiled. “So are you going into work early with me today?”
“Yeah, Kelly will be leaving pretty soon, and I figured since I’ve had football almost every day, I can try and be there through the busy times this weekend.” Payton cracked the eggs, trying not to get the snot-like whites all over her hands. But of course she always failed, and she ended up having to wash her hands.
“Bring your homework along. That way, if we get slow you can at least keep up with that.”
Payton nodded then got busy with pancake patrol. A few minutes later, her friends and siblings came up the stairs, partially because they were salivating over the smell of food and partially because she and her dad were making a racket with the pans.
“Hey, sis.” Bradshaw pinched her side, making her drop a pancake, which he caught and took a bite out of. “Thanks.” He grinned.
“Hey, stay out of those.” She slapped his hand. “Wait until they’re done.”
“Hey, pops, I’m gonna go in early with you today.” Bradshaw poured a tall glass of orange juice and proceeded to chug it.
“Okay. I’ll have you and Payton then, and I expect the rest of you up there before five. We’ve got all the college games on today, so I’m sure we’ll catch a crowd.” Their dad glanced around the kitchen.
“Hey, El,” Payton called out to her brother.
“What?” He yawned, wiping his eyes.
“Can you throw a load of my laundry in for me? I’ll do some of yours when I get home tonight,” she begged. If he didn’t, she might not have clean underwear this week. One of their dad’s rules was that everyone was responsible for washing their own clothes, although they would trade off and help one another if they got too busy.
Elway nodded. “Sure.”
Soon they were all eating, and the chatter quickly stopped, other than the occasional request to pass some food item or other. Once Payton was finished, she helped load the dishwasher then went down to her room with Kelly to change for work.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Guess who I talked to yesterday?” Kelly plopped down on her bed, scrolling through her phone.
“My dad,” Payton teased.
“Funny. Actually, I ran into Chance Montgomery in the hall outside one of his classes. I told him I’d watched his game against Clarksdale on Thursday.” She gave her short, dark hair a toss, glancing over at Payton. “He said he’d seen me sitting with your family. Basically, we stood out in the hall talking, and he said that maybe he and I could sit together for lunch sometime next week.”
Payton clenched her fist at her side. What the hell? Okay, she shouldn’t get pissed off, right? It wasn’t like Chance was even talking to her at the moment. But that still didn’t give Kelly the right to just go for him. Damn, there was such a thing as a best friend code. Kelly was pretty and never had problems flirting with guys or getting their attention, unlike Payton, who couldn’t think unless she was tossing a ball back and forth with them or some other type of “male” activity. Just because Kelly could talk to guys didn’t mean she had to try to steal the one Payton liked.
“Don’t look at me like that.” Kelly climbed to her feet, placing her hands on her hips. “You’re the one who said he won’t even talk to you.”
Oh. My. God. She just didn’t get it. “Yeah, well, that doesn’t mean I stopped liking him,” Payton said softly.
“So you’re saying that because he doesn’t like you I shouldn’t try for it?”
Kelly couldn’t be serious! Did she even have to ask that question? Payton pulled on her work uniform and threw on her baseball cap. “Let’s just drop it.” She glared at her friend. Relief washed over her when Rice hollered down that Kelly’s mom was there.
Kelly hurried upstairs and out the door, not even bothering to say goodbye. Like she had a right to be pissed at Payton.
“What’s wrong with you?” Her dad raised an eyebrow when she stalked up the stairs glaring.
“Nothing.” She definitely didn’t want to get into this with her dad and brothers. With a sigh, she waited while Bradshaw threw on a pair of shoes.
Brad and Marino both chuckled, knowing better than that.
“Smile. Waitresses are supposed to be happy.” Elway peered up from the video game he was playing with Dave and Craig.
“I’ll show you happy.” She whipped a shoe at him.
“Come on, guys, we got to go.” Payton’s dad ushered her out the door.
The restaurant was empty when they got there, and Payton went around filling the salt and pepper shakers then checked the ketchup and steak-sauce bottles. Bradshaw followed behind, putting new sugar packs and toothpicks in the holders, trying to get ready for the eleven-thirty crowd.
“Okay, spill.” Bradshaw met her gaze.
She slammed a ketchup bottle down on the table like a judge with a gavel. “Ugh! Kelly is going to go for Chance—even though she knows I like him! What kind of friend does that?”
“Did she actually say she was going for him?”
“She said he asked her to sit with him for lunch and that she figured since he wasn’t talking to me I wouldn’t mind.” Payton fumed.
Brad frowned, catching her arm before she could slam another glass bottle. “To be honest, I’ve never liked Kelly. She’s always treated you like shit. Like she only comes around when she needs something. Jake’s pretty cool though.”
“See? I’m a total loser. I can’t even get along with other females. And every male I know thinks of me as their little sister or best friend.” Payton let out a sigh of defeat. Her life was so screwed up.
“Actually, not all the guys see you that way.” Brad followed her back into the kitchen where the grills were being fired up for the day.
Payton laughed and turned to her brother. “You don’t have to try to make me feel better—it’s okay. I know I’m nothing special. But just once, I’d like for someone to notice me.” For about the millionth time, she wished her mom was around to confide in. How was she supposed to talk boy problems over with boys? She knew they meant well, but her brothers just didn’t get it.
Soon it was time to open up, and Payton stood ready and waiting for the crowd to bustle in while Brad went around and made sure all the TVs were turned to the sports channels for the pre-game shows and games.
Groups of people sauntered in, most wearing their favorite teams’ sweatshirts and hats. Payton was relieved when she spotted Matt and Neal amongst the customers, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson.
Payton ushered them to a table near the window. “Our specials today are the grilled-chicken sandwich platter, as well as the chili-and-breadstick combo. We’ve also got the twelve-ounce sizzler with free salad bar.” She handed out the menus.
“Hey, Carter,” Matt said, “your brothers played awesome last night—you wouldn’t have believed the last-quarter touchdown Bradshaw made.” He smirked, eyeing the page with steak on it.
“So I heard.” Payton laughe
d. “My brothers gave me the play-by-play when they got home last night.”
“You didn’t play so bad yourself Thursday,” Mr. Atkinson said.
Payton’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. Not wanting the attention, she quickly changed the subject. “Would you like me to give you a minute?”
“Yeah—we’ll probably need it.” Mr. Atkinson waved her away, but not before she heard him telling Neal to order whatever he wanted and that it was his treat.
Payton watched Neal duck his head, his face turning bright red. Why was he so worked up about the Atkinsons treating him to a meal?
It didn’t take long for the restaurant to become packed with people. At one point, there was a twenty-minute wait for a table, which wasn’t at all unusual for a Saturday. But Payton found herself counting down the minutes until her brothers would get there to relieve her, because her feet were screaming to be kicked up for a bit.
“Order up, Payton,” Chuck called out from the back. She rushed over and carried the pork chops out to one of her tables.
“Hey, honey, why don’t you take a break with me?” Lily waved her over. “Elway and Rice are here. They said they’d pick up your tables.”
“Thanks.” She gave Elway a quick smile when they passed one another.
“You’re welcome,” Elway said. “By the way, I put your clothes in the dryer a little while ago. Marino said he’d fold them before you got home since you took his shift today.”
“Oh my God, you’re awesome.” She hurried to catch up with Lily, who had found a table in the back for them to sit at.
“Haven’t got much of a chance to talk with you lately. So how are you?” Lily took a sip of her diet cola.
“Better than I was last night. At least the pop came off.” Payton cringed, smoothing her shirt down. She used her straw to stir her ice tea, which Lily had brought over for her. She took a deep breath. Maybe she should ask her for some advice. Lily might know what to do on the Kelly-and-Chance front. Unlike her family.
But in the end, she kept her mouth shut.
“That Craig Helton sure is a nice boy.”
Payton giggled. Where had that come from? “Yeah, and he’s also one of Marino and Brad’s best friends.” Payton blushed, remembering the night before and the pillow fight. And waking up to find him lying so close to her. God, he’d smelled so good. Okay, maybe it was time to put those thoughts out of her mind—like now.
“I think you should go for him. That Chance Montgomery seems kind of stuck on himself,” she added thoughtfully.
Wow. Lily must be on drugs. Because that wasn’t going to happen in this lifetime. Payton laughed uncontrollably. “You’re kidding, right? Lily, I don’t think Craig even knows I’m a girl—I mean, boys like him don’t date girls like me.” She gestured to herself.
Lily shook her head. “You’re such a beautiful girl; I have no idea why you can’t see that. And just so you know, Ms. Smarty Pants, I saw Craig Helton checking you out last time he was in here.” She shoved a forkful of salad into her mouth so she wouldn’t have to say anymore on the subject.
What? No—Lily had to be mistaken. “You know, I’ll find a date when you decide to get back out there again. Deal?” Payton held her hand out to shake.
“You drive a hard bargain—but if I do end up being right about Craig and Chance, I want you to come in here and bow to the queen,” she said before Bradshaw came over.
“Ready to head home?” he asked Payton.
“Yeah. I’ll see ya later, Lily.” She waved and rushed out the front door, just as Chance Montgomery and his family arrived.
“Hey.” Kyle waved from across the parking lot.
“Hi,” Payton and Brad called in unison.
Payton caught Chance’s eye as they passed one another, and he nodded. She felt the familiar thrumming in her ears. Her body tingled like she’d been zapped by a lightning bolt. The butterflies were back, swarming and fluttering all the way up her chest. Payton watched him go inside then climbed into the car.
It took them only a few minutes to get back to the house, and when Payton opened the door she almost died on the spot.
This so wasn’t happening. She covered her face with her hand, as if that’d hide her from sight. Sitting on the living-room couch with her brother was Craig Helton, and he was helping fold her lacy, blue underwear.
A part of her wanted to rush over and tear them from his hands. But at this point, it was kind of late for damage control.
Whoever said high school was easy obviously didn’t have five brothers, all of whom would rope anyone and everyone into helping around the house, even if that help included folding their sister’s underwear. She was going to have to have a talk with Marino about the etiquette of keeping her bras and panties out of view of fellow football players.
Payton couldn’t believe she’d already been a freshman for four whole weeks now, and the football season was already halfway done. So far she’d managed to keep her team at the top of their division. And Payton had found out that she had the best stats of all the freshman quarterbacks, earning her a small write-up in the sports section of Sunday’s paper.
Her dad had cut out the article and hung it on the cash registers of the restaurant, wanting everyone to know that his “baby” girl was a kick-butt football player.
“So did you notice the posters for homecoming yet?” Jake pointed out the numerous reminders about the dance, which was in two and a half weeks.
“I’m trying not to.” The last thing she wanted to do was throw on some fancy dress and pretend to be able to walk in heels—or in her case, death traps. Okay, she’d consider the whole getting-dressed-up thing if a certain Chance Montgomery asked her to the dance, but the probability of that happening was looking slim. She had a better chance of getting sprayed by a skunk during a lightning storm—which was a grim thought in itself.
Although, Chance had graduated to saying hi to her when he joined their group of friends every morning. Matt would end up doing most of the talking, while she and Neal put their heads together to discuss big plays or astronomy, but it was a step in the right direction.
“You know, I could go to the dance with you, but I’m not sure how I’d explain to my parents that I’ve got a date with our star quarterback.” Jake winked. “Well, that, and I’ll be out of town for my grandma’s seventieth birthday party.”
“I’ll probably just volunteer to work or something. I’m sure my dad will need help.” She looked up to see Kelly standing with Maria Virelli.
Kelly gave a casual wave but didn’t come over. Ever since their little spat, Kelly had been avoiding her. Payton was sure it was because she was trying to “up” her status. Maria ran with the likes of Kibby and her clique, which seemed to be the direction Kelly was determined to go.
“She’s really getting full of herself.” Jake shook his head. “Pretty soon she and Kibby will be BFFs.”
“Trust me, they deserve each other,” Payton said as they approached their English lit class. “Great. Another hour of torture. At least I have my game to look forward to tonight.”
“And it’s at home, so I don’t have to bum a ride off of your dad again,” Jake said. He slid on a pair of nerdy black glasses and plopped down at his table.
Payton slid into her seat, surprised to find Chance already there, chewing on the end of his pen. “Hey,” she said.
His gaze shifted to her face. “Hi. You ready for tonight?”
It was the longest sentence he’d spoken to her since before football tryouts. And she kind of didn’t know how to react. Should she talk to him? Faint? Ignore him? Her hands became slick with sweat. She wiped them on her jeans, as if that would help.
“Yeah, but I don’t think Coral Hills will be too tough, they’re last in our division.” Nervous, she turned to the front of the class, where Mrs. Bradford glided in wearing some atrocity of a skirt. It looked like a jungle scene gone bad, and her burnt-orange heels didn’t help the ensemble in the least. All Payto
n envisioned was jungle animals puking.
“Good morning, class.” She glanced around excitedly, which meant they were going to be tortured with a big assignment. She took roll, then sat down on the edge of her desk, eyeing everyone in turn.
Payton wished she’d just hurry up and blurt out what it was that she wanted to say. It was like the teachers thought if they prolonged their announcements, it’d make the assignment less dreadful.
“All throughout literature, we find characters who disguise themselves, pretending to be something they’re not, whether it be for personal gain or finding love. For instance, Shakespeare has many works that do such things,” Mrs. Bradford stated, referring to some of the chapters they’d read the week before in their lit books.
“Who can give me an example of something modern that might fit into this?”
Kibby Carlton raised her hand with a smirk on her face.
“Yes, Ms. Carlton?”
“Kind of like Payton Carter pretending to be a boy so she can play football … ”
The heat raced up the back of Payton’s neck and to her face. Her fingers clenched the edge of the table. People in the class snickered, and she slid lower in her chair. Leave it to Kibby to take a stab, especially if she had an audience. Damn, Payton hated her.
“What about the movie She’s the Man?” Jake blurted out, coming to Payton’s aid. “Or maybe, for instance, Kibby Carlton, who’s wearing a cheerleading uniform pretending to be human. But we all know what she really is.”
“Mr. Baker, that’s quite enough. One more outburst like that, and I’ll send you down to the principal’s office. You too, Ms. Carlton,” the teacher said, as everyone erupted with laughter.
Mrs. Bradford moved back to the chalkboard. “I would like each table group to write a story involving hidden identities and disguises. It’s due in two weeks.”
Great. This ought to go well. Payton gave Chance a worried look, knowing they weren’t going to have a choice but to work together.
He raised his hand. “Mrs. Bradford, could I switch partners?”
French Fries with a Side of Guys Page 7
