Page 6 of The Player

Aaron ignores her as he gets out and stops by my door. “You are coming, right?”

He looks at me expectantly. Me and crowds don’t mix well. I laugh nervously. The last party didn’t end so well, and I had to bring an extremely drunk Aaron home to his mom.

“How else are you going to get from the school to the party?”

His face lights up and he reaches in and kisses me on the cheek.

“See you tomorrow night, Ju-Ju.”

I get out of the Bronco, and on impulse, I hug him. “Good luck.” His warmth flows through me, and I step back before I try to do something stupid.

“Gotta get to work,” I say, backing away and watching as he heads into the house.

* * *

The week has gone by way too fast, but I’m glad for it. Kaylee and I have been texting today about the party, which I am nervous about since we don’t exactly fit in with Aaron’s crowd. She has assured me that it doesn’t matter. That we are there for her brothers.

Nonetheless, I swore to Aaron I would be at the school to pick him up. As I pull into the school parking lot where the bus should be and see the news reporters already lined up, I smile. The radio said we won, and I brought Aaron his favorite thing to eat. A full pan of bacon with pepper and garlic powder. As well as a slice of pound cake.

My nerves tingle inside of me as I think about how excited he must be that they won. Looking down at my phone, I see the message from Kaylee.

K

Oh my God. The party has already started, and it’s insane.

Reaching up to the necklace around my neck, I fiddle with it and try not to let the anxiety overcrowd my thoughts.

Me

Cool. Be careful and do not drink.

Shoot, I sound like a mom. I don’t have to wait long before Kaylee answers.

K

You know I won’t. Hurry up and get here. We can dance and enjoy time with the in-crowd.

Yeah, I’m not looking forward to that. Instead of bursting her bubble, I send her a dance emoji. I might as well fake it until I make it. Right?

Before I can go down that rabbit hole, someone shouts. “Look, there they are!”

I look at myself in the side mirror. My hair is down, makeup on, and I even put on a nice sweater dress.

As the bus comes into view, I can hear the excitement of the boys. God, it’s amazing to know that Aaron won state for his senior year.

The bus doors open the second it parks, and I perk up. The head coach comes off first, pushing everyone back. I stay by my Bronco, knowing better than to get too close. The coach hates it when people crowd his players.

“Aaron!”

“Aaron!”

Everyone is trying to get his attention, and I know he loves it. This is his dream to be in the limelight for football.

“Is it true?” one reporter asks him, and I frown.

My head turns to look at the person asking, and my mind reels. Is what true? Before anyone can get an answer, the coach steps in front of the players and waves his arms in front of him.

“That’s enough.” Everyone groans, but he continues. “A press conference will be held Monday after school. We are pleased and excited about our state title win, but everyone needs to leave now.”

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