Page 57 of Snap Shot

“If you say so.”

His shoulders slump as he sighs. “Why do you hate me, Indi? What did I do?”

Those damn blue eyes gleam in the firelight, drawing me into their sincere remorse. For a moment, I question whether I hate him at all.

“You really don't know?”

The last practice of the season made me never want to play again. I’d gone to pee before gearing up and when I returned to my locker, it was all gone. Someone had taken my things. Guilty sneers and scornful snorts echoed from the girls as they watched me search for my pads.

Coach was furious when I wasn’t ready, and when I wouldn’t answer his questions about why, I was forced to use disgusting backup gear and a wonky paddle. They’d been sitting for who-knows-how-long, reeked of stale sweat and piss, and didn’t fit right at all.

My teammates seemed to be in on the prank. Landon kept smiling my way, deepening the wound of betrayal. Maybe he wasn’t my friend after all.

After practice, I trailed behind as they sat on my usual bench. I thought maybe they didn't see me, but I was wrong. They saw me, but they didn't think I was in earshot. Or maybe they didn’t care.

“Check out the fat ass on Jumbo Dumbo,” Bennett said through a snicker.

Dumbo?I reached for an ear, mentally measuring it.I didn't think they were that big.

Newt shoved him. “You're jealous because she's got a bigger mustache.”

The pads of my fingers brushed over my upper lip. Definitely fuzzy.That's it. I'm going home tonight and telling Mom that Dad said I could get it waxed.

“Aw, come on, guys.” Landon separated them.

“Whoa. What's up, Landy? You like her or something?”

“No.”Ouch. Good to know.

Bennett didn’t back down. “I think you like her.”

“Cut the crap, you dingleberry.” Landon swatted them away.

“Indi and Landon sittin' in a tree,” Newt sang. The rest joined in as Bennett made smooching noises. “K-I-S-S-I-N-G!”

I grew red at the thought and hid behind a sheet of wet hair.

“Shut up! I don't like her.”

“I dunno, you seem to hang out with her a lot for someone who 'doesn't like her.'“

“No, I don't.”Way to drive the point home, Radek. “We wait for our folks at the same time. I don’t like her at all, okay?”

I didn’t stick around for the rest of the conversation, but I knew the truth. Our friendship wasn’t real.

Chapter 17: After the Storm

Landon

Losing to Indi almost feels like winning.

She's so endearing, kicking my ass down the mountain. I knew she was competitive but it's still so unexpected.Fuck, I can't deal with how her eyes crinkle when she laughs, loud and hearty while squeezing tears out of the corners. It has my hand reaching for my chest to keep my heart from stopping.

While the losing was real, I put on a good show of disappointment and frustration. I secretly love it and want more. More of her proud smiles, childish teasing, more of the blush on her cheeks left by the bite of the wind. Every wisecrack, every sassy comeback. I want them all.

This Indi isn't like twelve-year-old Indi. She's relaxed, carefree. Fierce as hell. A buried memory uncovers itself when I catch a stolen glance as she leaves the slope. It hasn't been fifteen years since we last met. How could I forget sixteen-year-old Indi?

The summer after grade ten, I went to visit before Dad sold the house and Laney moved downtown. Her summer internship took up most of her time and I ended up spending the days reconnecting with old friends and playing ball hockey.

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