Page 166 of Sincerely, Your Enemy

She turns to look at me seconds before she walks out of the room and says, “Great. Now, go fix your makeup. We have a game to get to.”

Lacey

“Slow down, will you? I almost body-slammed that girl,” Sierra complains as I forge ahead, dragging her through the crowd on our way toward the school gym.

“You were the one who convinced me to come, remember?” I point out, stopping for a bit to try and see above the crowd. The place is packed. It’ll be a miracle if we manage to find seats.

“Yeah, but I didn’t think we’d be running the whole time. How much cardio do you think I have?”

“We need to hurry if I want to talk to him before the game,” I argue.

Sierra huffs and puffs. “Fine, but if I’m all sweaty and gross during your happy reunion, it’s on you.”

I let out a sigh, my line of vision obstructed by the six-foot-something stranger in front of me, and I lean to the side to get an idea of how long it should take us to get inside. I can see the entrance of the school stadium over the sea of heads, but the group in front of us is walking super slow, and my intrusive thoughts are begging me to scream “Move” at the top of my lungs.

We’re not going to make it in time.

I can forget about the fairy-tale scene I dreamed up on my way here. Fat chance I’ll be able to get TJ alone until after the game.

“Excuse me. We’re in a hurry,” I tell the people in front of us before slipping between them to carve a path toward the door.

“Lacey?” a familiar voice calls behind me just as I begin to taste victory. I spin to see Finn, Chance, and Bethany eyeing me, all holding snacks and drinks from the concession stands.

“I thought you weren’t coming?” Finn asks.

“I know. I didn’t think I was until a half hour ago,” I explain.

“The girls were bummed about it. They’re going to be thrilled you’re here,” Finn says.

“And I’ll take all the allies I can get. I cannot be the only girl present who doesn’t know shit about basketball,” Bethany chimes.

I laugh and give her a quick hug.

“Hi, I’m Beth. I don’t think we’ve met,” Bethany says to my sister.

Sierra gives her a smile. “Sierra, Lacey’s sister.”

I exhale a sharp breath, craning my neck to see above the crowd as I shift my weight from one leg to the other.

“Is this your first time coming to a game?” Beth asks.

Sierra answers, but I don’t pay attention to a word coming out of her mouth.

Great, now they’re making small talk.

We don’t have time for this.

I grab Sierra’s forearm. “Hate to interrupt, but we’ve got to get going.”

“Will you relax? You’re giving me anxiety,” Sierra scolds me. “Don’t mind her. She’s hoping to talk to TJ before the game, and it’s making her all neurotic.”

A big smile spreads across Chance’s face as soon as Sierra says TJ’s name.

“Really? And what could you possibly have to tell him?” Chance teases.

My cheeks turn scarlet. “Oh, shut up. Do you know how I can get into the players’ locker room?”

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but that’s a no-go. All doors are locked. Game starts in five minutes,” Chance says.

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