Page 112 of Cross-Check

I don’t look up at her. I know if I do, she will know that something is wrong, and getting into me wanting to drop out of school isn’t an option. Not right now at least.

I just need a few more hours. That’s it.

Then I’ll come clean.

* * *

“Okay, boys, the food is ready. Come help us move it all to the table so we can eat,” Grace says.

Without a complaint, the guys and I all get up and head into the kitchen. We move the food to the dining room all at once.

Clay sits at the head of the table, and his mom sits on the opposite end. Cora sits next to her mom, and I sit next to her. Grace is on my other side, where she sits next to Clay. Then on the other side of the table, Beckett is by Ms. James, and Brett is down by Clay. Leaving Wyatt in front of me.

“We don’t say grace or anything like that here, so just dig in. I hope you like everything,” Ms. James says.

“I’m sure it’s great,” I tell her, and the guys murmur in agreement.

The food is passed around and plates are filled.

Beckett groans as he takes a bite. “Ms. James, this is delicious. Marry me?”

Cora’s mom laughs, and her cheeks turn pink as she slaps his arm. “Stop it.”

“Yeah, Beckett, what would Peyton think of you proposing to someone else?” Grace teases.

Beckett rolls his eyes. “How many times do we have to tell you, Jelly Bean Pey and I are just friends. It’s not like that between us.”

Wyatt shoots me a look over the table, and I duck my head as I chuckle. He told me the other day that he’s almost positive he heard Beckett and Peyton fucking in Beckett’s room, which shares a wall with his. It seems like denial is the name of the game between them.

“This is seriously good,” Brett says as he takes a bite of mashed potatoes.

“We need to make sure we take a plate home for Peyton,” Wyatt reminds them.

“That’s sweet of you boys. I said the same thing in the kitchen. I’ll make sure to send you with plenty of leftovers. Lord knows when these four leave, I won’t have a need for them,” Cora’s mom says.

Beckett inspects a roll. “Did you make these yourself, or did you buy them?”

“The girls made them last night. The dough proofed in a bread maker,” Ms. James said.

Beckett turns toward Grace. “Do we have room for a bread maker in the kitchen? If so, we should totally buy one so we have these all the time.”

Grace rolls her eyes. “You guys rarely eat at home as it is. I don’t think we need a bread maker.”

“Hey, it’s not our fault that a meal plan is part of the hockey program. It would be a waste if we didn’t take advantage of it,” Brett says.

“Right…” Grace drawls.

Clay points his fork at her. “Wasn’t it you that had me bring her the poke cake every day last week? Last I checked, it couldn’t be found in the normal cafeteria.”

Grace ducks her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Cora turns toward me. “There was cake, and you never brought me any?”

I freeze, my fork halfway to my mouth. “Uh…”

“Oh, you done messed up…” Beckett whispers.

“I’m sorry? Next time they make it, I’ll grab you a slice,” I tell her.

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