It didn’t paint a pretty picture and it definitely was an added pressure I didn’t need at the moment.
“You’re making that face again,” Grant said.
“What face?”
“The one where you look like you’ve only got an hour to solve world peace.”
I rubbed my temples. “It sorta feels that way.”
“Dear Lord! Was I this much of a mess when I started dating Alex?”
I glared at him. “Worse.”
He huffed a laugh. “Whatever. You’ll see Casey at lunch. Stop stressing.”
“That’s not all I’m stressed about.”
Grant gave me an unconvinced stare.
Sighing, I pulled up the email I’d been hiding for weeks and slid my phone onto Grant’s desk. His eyebrows jumped as he quickly scanned the words. When he looked at me his eyes were wide. “Is this for real?”
I nodded.
“Luc! Why didn’t you say anything? This is incredible! You’re gonna play ball for Columbia!”
“Because I’m not.”
“Why the heck not?”
“Because it’s not Harvard and anything less won’t be good enough for my parents.”
“Uh, last time I checked, Columbia’s an incredible school and their baseball team is legit! Why didn’t you tell me they were looking at you?”
“Because they weren’t.”
“What do you mean?”
“I sorta pursued them.”
“I don’t understand. If Harvard’s your only choice why’d you go after Columbia?”
“Because it’s only two hours away.”
Grant leaned back in his desk and crossed his arms, a smug smile playing on his face. “You mean two hours away from Casey?”
I felt my cheeks flame but nodded anyway. Grant had always been a human lie detector. It wasn’t worth trying to keep the truth from him. Besides, with the cutoff date approaching, I needed to talk to someone about this.
“So, let me get this straight,” Grant drawled. “You have a scholarship to Harvard, but you thought, what the heck, I’ll throw that away over a girl I kissed once?”
“I’ve kissed her more than once,” I muttered.
He narrowed his yes. “College teams closed recruitment months ago.”
“Fine! I emailed Columbia’s coach the day after I first kissed Casey.”
Grant laughed. “Wow, you’ve got it bad.”
“No worse than you. You’re going to Arizona because Alex is.”
“That’s different. I’ve been dating Alex for almost a year. You and Casey have only been on one date.”
“And how many dates did it take you to know Alex was the one?” I challenged.
Grant met my eyes, his teasing expression sobering. “Alright,” he admitted. “Who am I to judge? But you should probably find out what’s going on with her and that Tom Brady wannabe before you change your entire future for the girl.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do!” I groaned, rubbing the stress from my temples.
“Okay. Don’t blow a gasket. I’ll help you figure it out.”
“How?”
“Big picture. What scenario makes you happier? Driving home on weekends to see your high school girlfriend? Or living in an exciting new city with the freedom of endless possibilities?”
When he put it like that, the answer was easy, even if it shouldn’t be. “It’s Casey,” I said softly.
Grant shook his head like he was disappointed, but his words contradicted him. “Then tell Columbia you accept and make this thing with Casey official.”
“What about my parents?”
“What about them?”
“They’re not gonna be happy if I don’t go to Harvard.”
Grant grinned. “Then they’ll finally learn what disappointment feels like, just like the rest of the parents of the world.”
Grant was right. I’d pretty much lived my whole life trying to be the perfect son. I couldn’t keep that up forever. Not if I didn’t want to continue to sacrifice my own happiness.
Grant slapped a heavy hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “All you can do is put yourself out there and ask for what you want, Luc.”
I nodded. Maybe if I’d realized that sooner I wouldn’t be playing catch up with Casey.
If I’d told my parents I’d already decided I wanted to go to Columbia I could’ve skipped the endless campus tours and spent time with Casey over the summer.
But there was nothing I could do about the past. It was my future I needed to focus on.
And that meant talking to Casey.
* * *
My confidence grew as lunch drew near. Grant’s words were beginning to sink in, filling me with hope. All I needed to do now was follow through and be honest with Casey.
But what to say?
I needed something that landed between, ‘Wanna hang out again’ and ‘I’m giving up Harvard for you.’ There had to be some sort of middle ground, but I was having trouble figuring out what it was.
Why was this so hard?
If Harvard or Columbia learned how much trouble I had speaking to girls maybe neither school would want me.
Problem solved!
Shaking my head, I walked into the cafeteria deciding I’d have to wing it. It wasn’t my usual style, but I was hoping I’d know the right thing to say when I saw her. It wasn’t too big a leap considering it’d worked for me so far.
Casey had a calming effect on me. Somehow, she was able to quiet my constant inner chatter and cut to my true feelings. I liked the person I was with her—less calculated and worrisome.
When I caught sight of her bright coppery locks a smile began to spread across my face, but it stopped short when I saw who she was with.
Standing much too close for comfort was Archer Montgomery. Even his grin looked muscular as he spoke to Casey.
I didn’t mean to, but I couldn’t help eavesdropping on their conversation.
“Come on, you owe me, Beeler. It’s just one night.”
Casey crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “Archer, this isn’t what I had in mind.”
“Hey, you said you didn’t have time for me, and now you do.”
“What about Lexy?”
“Lexy doesn’t have to know. Please, Beeler. My entire future is in your hands.”
Casey rolled her eyes. “Fine. But just this once.”
Archer’s grin made my stomach turn. “Perfect. Meet me after the game tonight.”
Before Casey could respond, Alex walked up, interrupting their conversation. The look on Alex’s face mirrored my own feelings exactly: confusion and disgust.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Casey
“This isn’t exactly what I meant when I said we needed to go all out on our last day of recruiting,” Alex muttered under her breath as we handed form after form to the girls lined up at our sign-up table.
Truthfully, it wasn’t what I had in mind either. I knew just as well as she did that the majority of the girls signing up today were just pretending to be interested in joining the softball team for a chance to talk to Archer, who was shaking hands with our new recruits like he was the freaking mayor!
“Me neither,” I muttered, “but it’s too late now.”
“I don’t get why you told Archer we needed his help,” Alex grumped.
“I didn’t.”
“Then why is he here schmoozing like he’s at a charity auction?”
“It’s a long story.” I glanced toward Lexy’s lunch table. “Not one I can explain at the moment.”
Lexy’s frosty glare could give the Night King a run for his money. Every time I glanced in her direction, I got chills. Alex wasn’t much better. She crossed her arms and gave the next girl in line so much shade that she turned tail and retreated back to her lunch table.
Unfortunately, Alex’s attitude didn’t scare away our next recruit.
Veronica Chase sauntered up to our table and picked up a pen. She frowned
at the maxed out sign-up form. “There’s no more space for me to sign my name.”
“Well, I guess that means we’re full,” Alex snarked. “Better luck next year.”
I kicked my best friend under the table. “What?” Alex hissed. “It’s not like she actually wants to play.”
“Actually, I do,” Veronica replied. She leaned closer. “And you’d be lucky to have me.”
Alex huffed a laugh and took a bite of her apple. “Do you even know how to play softball?”
Veronica snatched the apple from Alex and hurled it across the cafeteria into the trash can in the far corner. She turned back to face us, smirking as a hush fell over the lunchroom.
My mouth dropped open, but Alex wasn’t as easily impressed. “That might matter if you wanted a spot on the basketball team.”
Veronica rolled her eyes. “It’s still hand-eye coordination. Either you have it or you don’t, and I do.”
I pulled a fresh waiver out of my binder. “Here,” I said placing the paper in front of Veronica. “Tryouts start next week.”
She gave me a fake smile and flicked her hair as she strolled back to claim her spot among Lexy’s table of followers.
Alex frowned. “How do we know she’s not only trying out because Lexy told her to spy on you?”
“I guess we don’t,” I replied. “But I thought you’d rather have a great team than worry about who’s gossiping about us.”
Grinning, Alex gave me a wink. “That’s more like it.” She took a sip of her soda and picked up the full sign-up sheet. “Let’s see what we can do with these ragamuffins.”
I laughed and clinked my soda can against hers. “Let’s do it.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lucas
Thanks to Archer’s slimy smile, I’d lost my appetite at lunch and retreated to the weight room, pushing myself beyond my limits with the free weights, trying to get the image of him and Casey out of my mind. But it was no use. The Tattler and the conversation I’d overheard gave my overactive imagination way too much ammunition.
I’d been mildly jealous of Archer after the first post. But that was before I actually thought there might be something going on. But now . . .
No, Lucas. You’re just overreacting.
I needed to give Casey a chance to explain.
The trouble was I didn’t have another chance to see her during the school day. Which was why I decided to hang around outside the locker room hoping to catch her. I was supposed to be inside changing for practice, but instead I was pacing the hall on the off chance that she would stop by to talk to her dad.
On our date she’d mentioned wanting to set up the softball team’s conditioning program to mimic ours, so I was betting on her stopping by to watch our practice or at least take a peek at her dad’s notes—although she could get those at home considering she lived with him.
I was probably wasting my time out here. Besides earning myself more worry-lines, the only thing being late for practice would get me was extra laps.
I was just turning to head into the locker room when I heard her voice.
“Lucas!” She rushed into my arms. “I was hoping I’d catch you here! I’m so sorry I didn’t text you back. Mrs. Carter took my phone in first period and I just got it back. She’s the worst!”
Relief swept through me.
Okay, so the Archer thing was still a problem, but at least I didn’t feel like Casey had been completely ignoring me all day. Knowing her, she would probably put my worries about Archer to rest, too. I just needed to ask her about it.
I hugged her back, inhaling her soft vanilla scent.
“How was your day?” she asked looking up at me.
“I’ve had better,” I answered honestly.
Her face fell. “You saw the Tattler?”
“Yeah, but that’s not—”
“Hargrove!” I jumped at the sound of my coach’s voice.
Casey and I leapt apart as her father’s piercing glare darted between us. “Practice started two minutes ago. That’s two extra laps, Hargrove.” Then he turned to his daughter. “Casey, my office. Now.”
She stood her ground. “Can I have two minutes to finish my conversation?”
“You can have one,” he said, grumbling under his breath as he marched back into the locker room.
I looked at Casey with awe. “Standing up to Coach? Who are you?”
She grinned. “If he gets too scary just picture him passed out in a plate of pot pie.”
I barked a laugh, feeling my nerves temporarily lift.
“For real though, what’s bothering you?” Casey asked.
I glanced at my watch. “Can we meet up after practice to talk?”
Casey’s smile flickered. Was that guilt? “I can’t. I have to study.”
Since when? Casey was one of the smartest girls I knew.
“Okay, well, I can stop over after dinner.”
“Um, not tonight. I’m sorry, I’m just really behind with softball and stuff.” She took my hand. “But I’m free all weekend.”
That lifted my spirits. “Okay, it’s a date.”
She grinned. “You just tell me where and when.”
“I’m picking you up Saturday morning for breakfast.”
“Breakfast!”
“Not a morning person?”
“Make it brunch and you’ve got yourself a date.”
“Brunch it is.”
Casey smiled so brightly my heart stuttered. She dropped a quick kiss to my lips. “I can’t wait.”
“Me neither,” I mumbled, but she was already running toward her father’s office.
As I made my way to the track to warm up, I shut out all thoughts of Casey.
So what if we couldn’t talk until tomorrow?
I’d put my future plans off this long. What would be the harm in a little bit longer?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Casey
I sat on the cold metal bleachers, angrily tapping my foot as I watched the clock slowly tick down to the end of the game. Patience wasn’t my virtue on a good day. And today was not a good day.
Not only had I been reamed out by my dad, but I’d had to give up seeing Lucas tonight to secretly help Archer study. I still couldn’t believe my dad agreed to let me do this stupid study session.
I was right to be worried about the Tattler. My dad had seen the posts and his first reaction had been to ship me to a convent! I’d somehow managed to talk him down and after convincing him not to kill Lucas because nothing happened, I had to explain everything that was going on with Archer too, since thanks to the Tattler, he was also one of my supposed suitors.
So was Tyler Bishop, but I figured it was karma if my dad wanted to punish him with extra laps.
But the reason I found myself watching the clock wind down at the Trojans football game was because the Coach side of my dad prevailed again. After I came clean to him about everything, he agreed to let me help Archer tonight.
I got it. He didn’t want to be any more responsible than I did for the Trojans losing a game to our rivals, Collier Prep, next week—which we would if our star quarterback was benched for failing another math test. But that still didn’t make me happy about my predicament.
Finally, the game ended, and I made my way down to the field. Archer spotted me and gave me a nod but jogged on by like I didn’t exist. I had half a mind to tell him I’d changed my mind about tutoring when I saw who he was running toward. He scooped Lexy into his arms and twirled her around like she was his precious little ballerina.
I fought my urge to gag. The quarterback and the head cheerleader. They were such a cliché. I realized I was walking right into the stereotype—the nerdy tomboy agreeing to be the secret tutor, so the mean girls don’t bully her for talking to the popular boy.
I kicked a pebble and walked to the parking lot, telling myself I didn’t care about that kind of stuff. And why should I? It’s not like I liked Archer. I liked Lucas.
Ma
ybe that’s what was bothering me. I felt guilty lying to him even though there was nothing going on between me and Archer. If I had it my way, I’d be hanging out with Lucas tonight.
“Just help him pass one exam and this will all be behind you,” I muttered to myself as I skulked my way to Archer’s lifted pickup truck.
* * *
“Finally!” I called when he jogged toward me thirty minutes later.
The entire parking lot had cleared out while I was waiting for him, making me look like a sad little stalker pouting next to his truck.
“Sorry! Coach wanted to talk about the Collier game. I couldn’t get out of there.”
Not in the mood for his excuses, I climbed into his vehicle as soon as he unlocked the door.
Archer started the engine and looked over at me. “Are you gonna be pissed at me all night?”
“You’re trying to ruin my life, aren’t you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your girlfriend already hates me, and I’ve been a Tattler target since school started. I don’t need more drama in my life. And being your secret math tutor has drama written all over it. Especially when you leave me standing outside your truck all night. Do you know how many people saw me looking like your stalker? If there’s a pic of that on the Tattler tomorrow, I swear to—”
“Whoa! Whoa! Slow down,” Archer said holding is hands up in surrender. “Geez, if I wanted to be yelled at all night, I’d just hang out with Lexy.”
I glared at him.
“Kidding,” he said. “Well, not really. Yelling at me does seem to be one of her favorite pastimes.”
I blinked at him, unable to stop myself. “Then why do you date her?”
“I don’t know. When she’s not yelling at me, I like her a lot.”
I rolled my eyes. Trying to figure out the dynamics of Archer and Lexy’s relationship wasn’t going to get this over any faster. “Let me see your math book,” I said holding my hand out expectantly.
Tomboys Don't Wear Pink: How To Date A Tomboy Page 10
