Page 6 of True Blue

Ramsey glares at the trio as they disappear, but I can’t tell which member has offended him most.

April watches them go, before turning back to the rest of us. “You’re welcome as well, Tyson.”

“Thank you, April. We would be delighted,” Grandpa answers with a smile. He always raves about the cooking at April’s parties.

“Well then, let’s get going,” Mira says, looking around and realizing we’re still standing on our high school football field with the majority of the senior class and their families around. “The sooner I’m away from Emerald Grove the better.”

I nudge her with my shoulder as we all start to walk around the stage and toward the parking lot. “It wasn’t so bad.”

“That’s only because you didn’t have to constantly fend off questions about how the ‘Regal Ravens’ pack are doing in college,” Mira says, using air quotes and rolling her eyes as she references Ramsey and his group of friends. Ramsey jogs up beside her and chuckles.

“I’m sure our admirers were glad you were there to give a full report,” he says.

I laugh. “I’m pretty sure they stopped asking after the second time she told them you were all probably jacking off together in your dorms.”

Harley chuckles quietly behind us, and Ramsey touches his chest in mock outrage. “Saboteur!”

Mira shoves him. “Like you lot don’t do fine on your own. I doubt me telling a few cheerleaders you guys were gay really hadany effect on your game.” She smiles but her eyes flick back at Harley for a second and I see the look slip.

Ramsey shrugs, facing forward and missing the moment. “It’d be weird to try to get with anyone in your grade anyways.” He shakes his head as we stop at the crosswalk and wait with another group of graduates to cross the road to the student lot. “Way too young.”

April and Conrad catch up to us as we wait and I glance over at them, just catching April scowl and whisper something that makes Conrad’s jaw clench. I turn back to the group, angling myself between Mira and her parents.

“Think you guys will finally let me into your clubhouse when we get to the Coast?” I ask, seeing Mira glance back at Harley again. He stands with his hands in his pockets and stares at the ground with a frown.

Ramsey rolls his eyes. “I’m sure you and Mira will make your own clubhouse when you get there, like you always do.”

I laugh and we start walking across the street. I twirl the silver ring on my new key fob around my finger. “Wanna find my new baby?” Mira’s eyes light up and she nods, jumping to grab the key as I hold it higher, out of reach.

The brownish-red brick facade of Emerald Grove looms ahead. We all walk through the opening in the chain-link fence surrounding the school’s student parking lot. I double click the lock button on the fob and a couple beeps go off to our left. I share a smile with Mira and Ramsey laughs behind us. Mira takes off toward the sound and Harley rolls his eyes as Ramsey and him walk after her. I go to follow, but my green graduation gown swishes around my legs and starts to trip me up in the wind. I stop to take it off and ball it up before jogging to catch up.

A shout carries on the wind and stops me. I glance back to find Conrad and April among the people making their way into the lot. They stand off to the side, by the entrance still, a goodten feet away. April is gesturing and her mouth is set in a hard line when she stops. Conrad stands over her, jaw tense and arms crossed.

I look back over the lot to find Mira. She’s two rows over, still running with Ramsey and Harley walking after her. I catch up to them and elbow Ramsey before nodding my head over his shoulder at his parents. He looks back and sees them before turning to find Mira, Harley doing the same. Mira stops a little bit ahead of us and looks around at the cars near her. I beep the Mercedes’ horn again and she shoots off to the next row over, where the sound came from.

“Come on Bentley!” she yells, and I throw my gown at Ramsey before following her. We reach the car, and I stop right in front of the hood, fingering the little silver logo in the middle.

Mira jumps up and down beside me. “Unlock it!” I click the button, and she runs to the passenger side.

Green covers my eyes and I push the fabric away, my graduation gown falling to the ground.

“Not your pack mule, Marshall,” Ramsey says to me and crosses his arms.

“They still arguing?” I whisper, watching Mira climb into my new car. She starts pushing buttons on the dashboard before looking through the windshield at me and waving me in.

“Probably,” Ramsey whispers back. He nods toward the driver’s side of the car. “Go on. We’ll make sure she doesn’t see.” Harley nods behind Ramsey, looking back toward the entrance.

I walk over to the driver’s side door, letting my hand glide along the shiny black paint as I do. Getting in, I put my hands on the steering wheel and smile, taking in the smell of the leather interior.

Mira shakes my arm. “Start it, Bentley!” I laugh and press down the brake while pushing the start button to my right. The engine purrs and Mira claps. “This is so cool. You have a car!”

“Most people we know have cars, Mir.” I roll my shoulders, studying the lights and controls on the dash. “I’ve driven you to school every day for the last year and a half.”

She looks over at me. “Yeah, but this isyourcar, Bent.” I smile and she follows suit.

A knock on the window startles the two of us and I huff out a breath when I see Ramsey standing next to my door. I roll down the window.

“We’re going to head back to the house with Mom and Dad.” He leans down to look across me. “You riding with him, Mir?” She nods and he pats my shoulder. “Nice car, Marshall,” he says before walking off with Harley.

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