Page 45 of The Way We Win

Of course, he was looking at me, and the gleam ofsatisfaction in his gaze launched a kaleidoscope of butterflies in my chest.

A nod was all the thanks I could give him without feeding the rumor mill, because everyone was watching us.

Then school started Monday, and we’ve been back at the grind, him on the field, me in the library. Still, the promise of more hums in the afternoon air.

“They asked me to get prize donations from local businesses.” Dylan surveys the list on her phone. “You’re so good at this, maybe you could help me?”

Her long hair is wrapped in a bun on the top of her head, and she’s talking about the drill team’s big fundraiser of the year.

It’s actually a joint fundraiser with the cheerleading squad, and it’s going to be a big Halloween fair, complete with an oversized hay maze—which sends a chill down my back.

I shiver. “I hate hay mazes.”

“What? Hay mazes are so fun!” Dylan sits with her back against the fence beside me. “And this one’s going to bemassive. They’re bringing in scaffolding so you can’t see over the tops.”

More shivers. “Haven’t you seenThe Shining?”

“That was a hedge—in a blizzard.”

“Doesn’t matter. All I can think about is running and running and not being able to see around the corners and Jack Nicholson chasing me with an axe.”

Dylan’s eyes light with her smile. “That was really scary. We need to tell Raven to put it on our list for Girls’ Movie Night.”

“I can’t wait to see them again!” I sigh, popping my last cup into the fence.

I push off my knees to stand, and my friend hops up beside me.

“I like this look.” She circles her finger around my head.

“You should.” I slide the black-rimmed glasses higher on my nose. “You’ve been demanding it for months.”

“They’re really cute, and that messy updo makes you look very naughty.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” I put a finger on my bottom lip, rolling it back and forth like some kind of cheesy old music video about being hot for teacher.

She snorts a laugh. “Where is my grumpy older brother? Coach Jack, you’re needed at the cup fence, stat!”

“Shh!” I grab her arm, pulling her closer as we break into laughter. “They’ll hear you.”

“Who cares?” Dylan whines. “Kimmie loves you; we all love you. He needs to get his grumpy head out of his butt.”

A sharp whistle tweets, and the guys run off the field. Sadie Duck skips up to where we’re standing behind the fence.

“I talked to Coach Stef, and she said it would be okay if I moved from the cheer squad to the drill team!” Sadie’s blonde ponytail flips around her shoulders as she bounces on her toes. “If that’s still okay?”

I remember her holding Austin’s arm on the field earlier, and I think I’d like to get to know her better, since it looks like he might ask her out.

“Liv said if she didn’t mind…” I look at Dylan, unsure if I’m overstepping. “But I’m really only third-string here. I don’t know how things like that work.”

“Of course, you can!” Dylan puts her arm around the girl’s waist, giving her a hug. “I’ll email you the forms and where to get your uniforms. You can help us at the pep rally, but it’s too late for you to be in the line for the first game.”

My stomach jumps, and I imagine us under the lights, with the drama of the game surrounding us. Jack is always so good with the boys, and now I’ve got two men on the field to cheer for.

“I’ll see you at Cooters & Shooters?” Dylan points at me, and I nod.

“It’s Dare Night! Only, I might be a little late.”

“What’s up?”

---