Page 12 of Resisting the Running Back

Whatever I Say, Just Play Along

It’s been years since I pulled into the driveway of Mr. and Mrs. Summers’ house.

This is the same house where she grew up, the same house where I picked her up before school, the same house where she helped me write my essays, and I helped her pass algebra.

We were never together then, and we’re not together now—but one thing remains true. I wish we were.

She draws in a deep breath as I cut the engine.

“You okay?” I ask.

She leans her head back on the headrest, then slides it to the side to look at me. “No.”

I reach over and squeeze her thigh. “You don’t have to be. It’s why I’m here.”

Her eyes soften at my words, and she presses her lips together and nods her head. “Let’s do this. And just…whatever she asks, whatever I say, just play along, okay?”

“Of course,” I say.

She opens the door, and we both get out and meet at the front of the car. She slides her hand into mine for fortitude as we approach the door together, and she rings the bell.

When I go to my parents’ house, I just walk in. It’s the difference between our families, and it makes me think for just a split second that I should stop by to see my mother while I’m in town.

But this trip isn’t about me. It’s about Sophie.

The door opens, and Mrs. Summers looks surprised to see the two of us standing on her front porch holding hands. Her brows dip together as her eyes flick to our joined hands before she looks up at the two of us.

“What are you doing here, honey?” she asks her daughter. “Shouldn’t you be at school?”

She hasn’t even invited us in yet.

Sophie clears her throat. “Could we, uh…come in and talk to you?”

“Of course. Come on in.” She opens the door a little wider, and we walk through.

Sophie doesn’t let go of my hand. “Is Dad home?”

“No, he went into work. What’s going on?” she asks once we’re standing across from her at the kitchen counter.

Sophie clears her throat. She glances wildly at me, and I can see it in her eyes. She can’t tell her mom that she resigned because her ex-boyfriend revealed her secret pen name to her students.

Maybe her mom will find out anyway. But right now, she needs me to save her.

And so I do.

“Sophie and I have decided to move in together,” I blurt.

Her mom gasps. “Sophie!” shescolds. “But what about Tyler?”

Soph clenches her jaw for a beat. “That’s been over for a while.”

“And now you two?” she asks, circling her finger between us.

I glance at Sophie, and she’s looking at me, and when our eyes connect…

Oh boy. She’s got that look in her eyes that I know so well but that I already know I need to brace myself for.

“Yes,” Sophie says, and she pushes up to her tiptoes and presses a kiss to my lips.

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