Page 12 of Home Field Advantage

“What if it isn’t?”

“Then… I don’t know. Pretend it went well even if it doesn’t. Be a leader, because it’s your job. Play like you came to play.”

She’s quiet again, and I think that’ll be it for the rest of the short ride, but then she says, “Why do you even care? You didn’t seem like you wanted to help me.”

“Because I’m not an asshole,” I say flatly. “But if I’m being honest, it’s also because I’d like to be captain of the squad next year, and I’m betting on being able to make peace between you and the team to be proof that I know how to lead. And if it keeps being a shitshow, then the team is gonna pass over me to go with someone who hates you, and I’m gonna be pretty pissed.”

“So, this is actually, like, ninety percent selfish.”

“And? You approachedmeyesterday being one hundred percent selfish. We want the same things.”

There’s a pause, and I think she’s about to lay into me, but instead she says, “Plus, you think I look very fucking cute in my glasses.”

I groan, wishing I’d left my long waves down so I could hide behind them, but I’m stuck avoiding eye contact as I pull into the parking lot of Maggie’s instead. “Please forget I said that. I am a terrible flirt and I wasn’t thinking, okay?” And in a flash but still way too late, I realize what I’ve just said. “No, wait, forget I saidthat.” Jesus fuck. I pull into a spot, park, and bury my face in my hands. “Just kill me.”

For the first time in my life, I hear Jack Walsh truly laugh, and it’s low in her throat and coated with honey and it sends pom-poms waving through my insides, or at least that’s how it feels. Definitely less gentle than butterflies. “Actually, Cheer Girl, you’re not that terrible at it. Now let’s go get some pancakes.”

I don’t need to be told twice.

The look on Jack’s face when we exit the car and she gets her first real viewing of Maggie’s run-down exterior is skeptical, but she joins me anyway, tugging her hoodie tightly around her body as if it’ll protect her from whatever lies ahead. I’mpraying she’s got nothing to worry about tonight, that one of our favorite traditions will remain delightful and celebratory no matter what, but truthfully, I’m almost as anxious as she is.

I just hope Miguel’s already there.

Of course, there’s no such luck, but most of the others aren’t there yet either; they had more people to coordinate, and more stops to make. I nudge Jack forward and greet the group that’s already seated—Lamar Burke, Matt Devlin, Zach Sawyer, Taylor Broussard, Ella and Virany Chow, and Claire Marlow—with big smiles as we slide in next to them. “Y’all arefast,” I say, grabbing menus for me and Jack even though I’ve been dreaming of waffles with whipped cream and strawberries since the bell rang this afternoon.

“Somebodywas awake, fully dressed, and playing video games when Virany and I walked in,” says Ella, sticking her tongue out at Lamar. “Not exactly a super-fun surprise.”

“Midnight’s not that late! I don’t know why y’all are asleep then.” He takes an ice cube out of his glass and crunches it between his teeth. “Devlin was just faking it to get Taylor to see him sleeping naked.”

“He wasnot,” Ella squeals, and Matt grins.

“Man, stop ruining all my game.”

“Whatgame, Devlin?” More guys and girls roll in, teasing and laughing, and when I see Miguel among them, I yank him into the seat next to me.

“Someone’s excited to see me,” he teases, kissing the top ofmy head. “Seems only right, since you sent other girls to pick me up.”

He knows full well why Cara and Kelsey had to get him instead of me, but Diana saves me the trouble of responding. “Y’all are too cute.” She looks like she’s gonna puke.

From across the table, I see Jack’s eyebrow shoot up, undoubtedly wondering why the hell I was flirting in my car if I’m already tied to the strapping young lad next to me. I’m not sure how to react to that, so I just tear my eyes away from her and focus on Diana.

“Your sincerity overwhelms me, D. And someday you, too, can get the biggest nerd on an athletic team, I’m sure.”

“Aw, mi amor.” Miguel swings an arm around my shoulders and squeezes tight. “Your pride in me and our magical romance means everything to me.”

I can’t help shifting my eyes back to Jack, but the look on her face is unreadable now. Everyone else jumps in on the teasing as usual—making fun of each other is our little “couple gag” and pretty much the only way we stay sane through the bullshit—and I’m happy to draw more of it if it means keeping heat off Jack. But I know she must think I’m playing one or both of them, and I wish I could tell her the truth.

Conversation flows light and easy as the tables fill up with everyone’s arrivals, and while no one actively greets Jack the way they do the guys, they don’t say anything nasty to her either. Which I guess is… something.

“Lemme know if you need some menu guidance,” Miguelsays to Jack, the first person to speak to her all night, and I think I fall even more deeply into platonic love with him in that moment. “Not everything is as safe as it sounds.”

“Do tell.” She leans forward, eyes glittering, and a little ache forms in my chest at how alive she is from just being acknowledged here. “Is Maggie’s Super Combo Breakfast Platter not super after all?”

“I’m so glad you asked,” he responds in his booming announcer voice, then drops to a quieter tone so it won’t carry to the kitchen. “You see, while Maggie is excellent at pancakes and waffles, and no one can really screw up bacon—”

“That’s a dirty lie,” Zach pipes up. “Devlin’s mom may be super hot, but her bacon is god-awful.”

“That’s because it’s vegan, you fucknugget,” Matt replies, smacking Zach on the back of his head. “And stop talking about my mom being hot.”

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