Page 38 of Saving the Halfback

“First of all, your makeup is everywhere. You can tell you were crying.”

Shit, I forgot I was wearing any, and I’d been rubbing my eyes during art class. “Ugh, Lachlan and Nolan didn’t say anything,” I grumbled as I turned toward the mirror to inspect my raccoon eyes.

“You think they would’ve?” Beth laughed. She pulled out a small makeup bag and handed me some makeup remover. I gave her a grateful smile as I cleaned up my face.

“Hadley and Chase might be breaking up,” she said, and I winced. “Don’t worry, it's totally not your fault. They are always off and on. Hadley is accusing him of putting you before her.”

It bothered me, though. I didn’t want to cause drama for Chase, but I knew Chase…rather who he was before. Chase had always been one to stand up for the underdog, for the one being hurt. He and Lachlan used to be so close, and all of us protected Lachlan like mad because he was always a target. Not to mention, he stood up for me when Ethan put sand in my hair. And then the time Ethan said he got a black eye from the kid next door, and Chase was ready to go over and knock that kid out. So, if Hadley thought she was winning points with him by tearing me down, regardless of whether he hated me, she was mistaken.

“What happened this morning had nothing to do with Chase putting me before her and everything to do with Chase not letting someone get hurt. If Hadley was being that mean to anyone, I’m sure he would’ve done the same thing.”

Beth raised an eyebrow. “You sure about that? Hun, because every time I’m around Chase, he has some sort of stick up his ass.”

I frowned.

“Yeah, well, now Hadley’s telling everyone you made moves on him and are stealing him from her. It’s a huge dramatic mess, and she was making a scene in the cafeteria. Chase asked me to stall you, so you wouldn’t be dragged into it.”

I turned off the water and dried my face. Chase…said that?

“Do you have makeup with you?” Beth asked.

I shook my head. “Back in my locker. I’ll be fine, though.”

“Your eyes are puffy. Hold on, I have some fresh sponges.” She went through her makeup bag and pulled out a few items. Beth stepped closer to me and began applying makeup to my face. She had clean Q-tips and cotton pads she used. “I promise I’m not making you look like a clown.”

I laughed, and she smiled at me.

“You know, I haven’t seen you around much before this year.”

“I mainly kept to myself.” I was now coming to realize it was a shame. Who knew how many opportunities I’d missed out on these last few years?

“There are a few football girlfriends. Some might not like you because of Hadley, but I can help you navigate it. I know you’re not a girlfriend, but I’m sure you need a break from the guys after spending so much time with them.”

She’d help me navigate…? I fought not to tear up.

“Hey, now, don’t go crying again. I just put new stuff on.” She smiled kindly. “You might need to invest in some waterproof mascara.”

“Sorry. I’m not normally this emotional.” I laughed. I waited a moment before deciding to go for it. To open up. “It’s just, I’ve never had a friend,” and then, realizing how pathetic that sounded, I quickly added, “that was a girl.” Damn it, was I coming on too strong? I tried not to feel embarrassed. Beth, though—she didn’t miss a beat.

“Well, I’ve got you,” she said with a smile. “What good is girl power if we don’t fix each other's makeup in the bathroom now and then?”

I could see why Wes liked her. Beth was one of a kind, especially at this school.

When she was done, I turned around and smiled at myself. I kept my makeup simple and light, anyway, but she did a better job than I did. “You’ll have to show me how to do this.”

“Anytime.” She packed up her stuff. “Ready?” she asked, hooking her arm in mine. We walked back to the cafeteria. “Okay, hold your head up, stay strong. You are so much better than Hadley. Don’t worry about it, all right?”

“I wasn’t trying to steal Chase,” I said. “He was…just helping me. We used to be good friends, but he doesn’t want to be friends anymore, so there is literally nothing for her to worry about.”

Beth nodded. “Don’t worry about it, girl. Wes has told me about you. You’re good people.” She patted my arm, and we laughed.

I wasn’t sure what I was expecting, but everything seemed relatively normal. Beth guided me over to the guys at the football table. Lachlan pushed a tray of bacon mac and cheese at me, and I was already drooling. Beth walked around the table and sat across from me with Wes.

“You’re the best,” I said to Lachlan. I pulled out some money, but he pushed it away.

“On me.” He smiled.

I took a quick look around and noticed Chase wasn’t at the table. My eyes met Ethan’s briefly before he looked away and continued talking to Sam. It wasn’t hard to notice glares from a couple of the girls at the table as well, though. Emma being one of them. I smiled and waved at her.

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