Page 46 of The Way We Win

“Nothing, I just want to have dinner with Austin. We’vebeen like two ships passing in the night lately, and we need to chat.”

I haven’t been able to tell him about his dad, and I’d like to feel him out about things like me dating and how he feels about it, specifically if I were to date someone like Coach Jack.

“Want me to ask Thomas to make something for you?”

“You know me so well.”

I can’t help a laugh. Hell, I haven’t been able to stop smiling for a week—even with all the things going on and how indefinite we left them.

Maybe we’re waiting. Maybe we’re sneaking around. All I know is I haven’t been this happy in a long time, and the first game is Friday.

“Thomas madea spicy dare burger for you.” I dig through the bag of food Dylan had ready for us when I dropped off Kimmie. “He said it’s your favorite? I didn’t know that.”

“Thanks.” Austin breezes through, picking up the plastic container and starting for the door. “I’m meeting Edward and Sadie at the Coot-Shoot.”

“Hey, slow down a minute!” I laugh, reaching for his sleeve. “I wanted to have dinner with you here.”

He looks up at the clock over the sink, and his shoulders drop. “Tonight?”

“Yeah, tonight.” I pull his sleeve in the direction of the table. “Come sit down with me.”

“But it’s Dare Night.” He stands beside the table.

“Not until seven. I want to talk to you.”

He puts his burger down and pulls out a chair, glancing at me from beneath his brow. “Am I in trouble?”

My eyes narrow. “Should you be?”

He doesn’t answer right away, opening the cardboard boxand slowly taking out his burger. “I didn’t know I had to read all three books this summer. I thought I just had to pick one, and Mrs. Easley said I could do a makeup quiz next week.”

I sit straighter in my chair. “You didn’t do your summer reading assignment?”

“I had football practice.”

“Austin, I’m the school librarian!” I take the lid off my box to find grilled chicken on a bed of romaine and spinach, topped with beets, feta cheese, walnuts, and dried cranberries.

A handwritten note inside reads,sugar-free, and I shake my head.

“It was an honest mistake.” He hulks forward, taking a big bite of hamburger, then leans back with a groan. “That’s good.”

“Always is.” I pour the balsamic vinaigrette over the top. “But of all things, Austin, you didn’t do yourreadingassignment? You’re making me look bad.”

He presses his lips into a near-smile. “Sorry, Mom.”

“I’m not mad.” I stab a big chunk of chicken with my fork and put it in my mouth. It’s also delicious. “I guess if she’s letting you make it up, it’s okay.”

“You look like a librarian with your hair all like that and your glasses.” He bobs his head with a grin.

A blob of mustard is on his cheek, and I hand him a napkin. Sometimes I still catch glimpses of the little boy he used to be not so long ago and warmth filters through my chest.

“Thank you, I guess?”

“Nah, it’s good. I was just saying.”

“Are you excited about your first big game?”

He takes another big bite of burger, nodding. “Um-hm.”

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