Just One More Read online

  When I saw her talking to Zoey Peterson after school today, I knew I needed to push myself at practice. My body was getting all tingly and I didn’t want to embarrass myself. When our eyes met, I saw the hurt in hers. She thinks I’m mad at her, but that’s so far from the truth. The truth is, I don’t want to ruin what we have. If I let whatever these feelings are out, I could wreck everything that we’ve built and I could never forgive myself for that.

  “Saw your girlfriend at the swimming pond today.” Micah, my little brother, stops in the doorway of my room. I’ve been sitting at my desk finishing my history homework and trying to stay awake. “She told me that she loves me more than you,” he chided.

  “I’m trying to do my homework,” I grumbled. “What did she want?”

  “Don’t know.” He stepped in my room and leaned against the wall. “Something about algebra, and that she’d be up late.”

  “Thanks.” I closed my book and stuffed it in my backpack. “Tell Mom I’m studying at the Sullivans’ and won’t be out late.” I patted him on the head.

  “Better not be any kissing!” he shouted from behind me.

  “She’s not my girlfriend,” I called back as I rushed out the back door and toward the dirt path that connected my house to Hailey’s. If I was lucky, she’d be awake still, but I wasn’t against tossing pebbles at her window if she wasn’t.

  ooooooooo

  It was dark out, which made walking through the woods tough. The moon was high, and other than its glow through the tree, I was walking blind. It only took me a few minutes to get to the clearing that led to the Sullivans’ side yard. My shoulders sagged when I saw the white porch swing empty. Hailey and I have spent countless hours on that swing since we first became friends. I’ve comforted her, and she’s listened when I’ve complained about something. It’s been our spot until recently. The last time I tried to join her out here, our thighs touched and it sent me reeling. I’ve never looked at her like that, but that night was different. She smelled like summer, and the tan skin of her arm was soft against mine. She laughed at something I’d said and when I looked at her, that was it. Everything in me told me to tell her she was beautiful, but then the voice in my head reminded me that we’re friends.

  The light behind Hailey’s window was still glowing which meant she was still up. I set my backpack down, and felt around for a small pebble. When I found one, I chucked it up at her window. When there wasn’t any movement, I did it again. This time though, I grabbed a bigger stone. Big mistake on my part. When the rock connected with the window, not only did it get her attention, but I got Mr. Sullivan’s too. All in a matter of seconds, I heard the sound of glass breaking.

  I grimaced as the curtains began to flutter behind the now broken pane, and Hailey shoved the sash up. “What are you doing?” she hissed.

  “I came over to study.” I shrugged as I gritted my teeth.

  “You’ll be paying me to replace that, son,” Charlie, Hailey’s dad, called out from where he was leaning out the front door.

  “Yes, sir.” I waved. “Sorry.”

  I watched as he shook his head and went back inside. “So, do you want to?”

  “Do I want to what?” Hailey squinted like she was trying to get a better look at me. It was then that I realized I was wearing my shirt backwards. I’d rushed to pull it on when I left and didn’t pay attention to what I was doing.

  “Study. I heard you were looking for me. Something about loving my brother more than me, and needing help in math.” I grinned as she scowled.

  I watched as she rolled her eyes before slipping back through the window. Within a few minutes she appeared on the porch. “You coming?” She turned and went back inside, letting the screen door slam behind her.

  The Sullivans’ house was like a second home to me. I’d been inside it so many times over the years that I knew where pretty much everything was. I knew that if I opened the fridge there would be a case of bottled water on the bottom shelf. I knew that the television was on the late news, and Mr. Sullivan was sitting in his recliner right then. I knew that if I closed my eyes, I could take a right and then a left and end up at the bathroom.

  I followed in Hailey’s wake until we ended up in the kitchen. She’d brought her algebra book and a notebook down and tossed them on the table. I hefted my backpack up and rested it against the one of the chairs as I dug out my own homework. Hailey and I weren’t in the same algebra class this year, but we did have the same teacher.

  “What is it you’re having trouble with?” I flipped my own notebook open to tonight’s assignment.

  “All of it.” She sighed as she slumped down in the chair beside me. “I feel stupid when I do this stuff.”

  “You’re not stupid, Hails.” I grabbed her homework paper and started looking over it. “This isn’t that bad,” I mumbled as I absently reached out to get her attention. My fingers brushed her bare arm, causing her to jump and me to pull my hand back like she’d burnt me. “Sorry.” I shook my head and grabbed my pencil. “Look.” I went to work solving the problem she was stuck on all the while showing every step that I was doing. “See?”

  “Sort of.” She nodded as she erased what she’d written and worked through it the way I had. “You make it seem easy,” she muttered as she attempted the next one. We worked like this until she’d made it through the entire page of problems, only getting stuck once more. “Thanks.” She smiled as she stacked her papers back up.

  “No problem. You know you can always ask me for help, right?” I pushed back from the table, and stood.

  “I know.” She laughed lightly. “It’s just that you’ve been really busy lately, and I didn’t want to be a bother.” She chewed on her lip, and it seemed that right then my eyes connected with the action, and I knew I needed to leave. I was feeling that urge to kiss her again, and I was losing the battle of fighting it. I was beginning to wonder if I should just do it, and get it out of the way.

  “We’re friends, Hails. I’m never too busy for you.” I smiled as she nodded. Just as I was about to ask her about the kissing thing, she launched herself into my arms.

  “Thanks,” she mumbled into the side of my neck as her arms banded around me. “You always seem to know what I need to hear. I’m glad you’re my best friend.”

  Best friend. She’d said it. There was no way I could ask her about trying out kissing her now. She would never say yes. I released my grip on her, allowing her to slide down my body, careful to not feel what was happening to me before stepping back. In the last year, moments like this have been more awkward. Hailey and I used to be about the same size, but I’ve finally started beating her in the height department. Where she stopping growing at about 5’5”, I kept going and am now pushing 6’. If I take after my dad, which everyone keeps telling me I will, I should top off around 6’4”.

  “I gotta go get some sleep.” I faked a yawned. I needed to leave. Now!

  “Ok. I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks for the help.” She smiled again before turning back to the table, and I scurried toward the front door. I’d never left the Sullivans’ so fast in my life, and I was sure that the jig was up on hiding my feelings.

  Chapter 3

  Hailey- age 16

  Homecoming. I hate it. It’s a stupid event for stupid football players to pick girls to wear their stupid jerseys to school. It’s also the first formal event in a long list of things I’m never gonna do. Max is the starting tight end on the varsity team this year. He asked me yesterday after school if I was going to the homecoming dance. We’ve never gone in the past, so I thought it was his way of making fun of it. Last year, he came over to my house after the game and we watched movies and stuffed ourselves with popcorn. I thought this year would be more of the same. Guess what? I was wrong.

  Before I could even answer him, Melody Hudson came bounding up and butted in our conversation. “Yes!” She grinned as she waved a folded-up piece of paper in front of Max’s face. “Of course, I will.” She rose up on
her tiptoes and pecked his cheek before turning and bounding away, causing her cheer skirt to bounce right along with her.

  “What was that all about?” I rolled my eyes as Max got this glazed over look on his face.

  “I asked her to be my sponsor for homecoming and to go to the dance with me. We could go together with your date, if you want.” He shrugged as he continued to stare at her while she chatted with her stupid cheer friends.

  “I wasn’t going to go,” I grumbled. “I thought we were going to do movies like last time.”

  “Don’t you want to go?” He looked perplexed. “I mean, we can watch movies anytime.”

  “I don’t have a date.” I sighed.

  “Come with Melody and me.” His brow scrunched up. “Dad’s letting me drive his car.”

  “No thanks,” I grumbled. “I’m not going to be your third wheel, and I don’t want to be there when you start kissing her.”

  “Suit yourself.” He shrugged. “I gotta get to practice. You wanna study together tonight?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “I’ve got other stuff to do. See ya tomorrow.” I waved behind me as I turned toward where my bike was parked. I didn’t want to look at him anymore. I was mad at him. I don’t really know why, but I felt this white-hot jealousy toward Melody, and knowing that he asked her made it worse.

  oooooooo

  Max- age 16

  “I still can’t believe she said yes.” Jared, one of my closest teammates laughed as we took a water break.

  “Why? You don’t think I’m good enough?” I scowled at him.

  “It’s not that.” He shook his head. “She’s been hung up on Dana Matthews since last year. He’s a senior. I thought for sure that she’d hold out hope for him.”

  I shrugged, “Guess not. Hey, have you asked a girl to sponsor you yet?”

  “Nah. I was actually thinking of asking Amy.” His head tipped to where the cheerleaders were doing their warm up stretches by the bleachers.

  “I thought she’d go with her boyfriend.” I chuckled.

  “She’s mad at him right now. I figured it was my best chance to get a yes.” He laughed as he tossed the water bottle he was holding on the ground, and blew out a breath through the side of his lips. “Fuck it.” He turned and began walking toward them.

  This was going to be classic. Amy Masters had been dating Aiden Kent since the eighth grade. If Jared got a yes from her, he was sure to get a black eye to go along with it. “Well?” I glanced in his direction as we made our way back out onto the field.

  “She said yes.” He wagged his brows and fist pumped as he glanced back over his shoulder. The girls were laughing, and every once in a while, they’d look back in our direction. “Wanna double?”

  “Sure. Dad’s letting me drive the Stang. We can go out to the bluffs after the dance if you want to you know… have some alone time.” I clapped him on the back before moving into position to run the next play.

  “Sounds like a plan,” he shouted as he moved opposite me. See, I was offense, and Jared played defense. Practice was the only place we ever were on opposite teams, at least for now.

  oooooooo

  Hailey

  “You’re really not going to the game tonight?” My mom stood in the doorway to my room.

  “No.” I shook my head as I stared at my computer screen. I didn’t want to go and watch Max fawn all over Melody. I hated her before she was his date, and now I hate her even more.

  “You always watch Max play. Did something happen between you two?” Mama came in and sat on the edge of the bed.

  “No.” I picked up an earbud and put it in. I didn’t want to talk about this. Max has made it perfectly clear that we’re just friends. If he wants to date someone, then that’s his choice. I’ve always been here, and unfortunately it looked like I always would be. Guys weren’t exactly knocking down my door or blowing up my phone.

  “Hailey,” Mama reached around my shoulders and tugged me closer, “I know something’s bothering you.”

  “He asked someone else, Mama. I thought he’d ask me, but he asked someone else.” My eyes started to well, but I pushed it back.

  “Does he know that you wanted to go with him?” She smiled softly. “I mean, did you tell him?”

  “No,” I mumbled. “I didn’t think I needed to. We do everything together. Why not this? I mean…” I let the words trail off.

  “Are you more upset that he asked someone else, or that he doesn’t see you like that?” She hugged me tight.

  “We’re just friends, Mama,” I sighed.

  “Honey,” she leaned back and looked into my eyes, “you have been more than friends with that boy for years. You two have a bond that no one is gonna be able to break no matter who she is. No date will ever replace you. You should go to that game, and tell Max how you feel. Sometimes boys can be thick headed. They don’t always understand something until it hits them square across the face. I should know, your dad was the same way.”

  “I don’t know if I can, Mama,” I looked down at my t-shirt and jeans. “I’m not really dressed for a dance.”

  “Put that pretty pink dress on that you wore to Aunt Margaret’s wedding this summer. I’ll be right back.” She grinned at me before rushing out of my room and down the hallway. Within a matter of minutes, she was back, and holding her makeup case and a curling iron.

  I spun in the middle of the room, letting the pink frothy material float around my thighs. It was fall, and I was dressed for spring, but I didn’t care. I felt like the night might turn out ok after all. Mama pointed to my vanity, and as I sat down, she grabbed my brush and began pinning my hair up. “I’ve always wanted to do this, but you were more interested in mud pies, than tutus growing up.” She pulled a piece of hair out and wrapped it around the large hot barrel. “Any boy would be nuts not to ask you to dance tonight.”

  “Mama!” I admonished. I knew I was pretty, but she made me sound like I was something out of one of those magazines.

  “You’re beautiful, Hailey, and I’m sure Max thinks so too. Tell him how you feel.” She leaned down next to my ear and together we stared at my reflection in the mirror.

  “Wow, Mama” I tilted my head as I put my earrings on.

  “I know, right? I’m pretty good at this stuff,” She laughed as she stepped back before handing me her keys. “A lady needs four wheels tonight.” She hugged me tight before whispering, “have fun” in my ear.

  “Thanks, Mama” I pressed my lips together as I fought off tears of newfound happiness.

  With a new urgency in my step, I skipped downstairs and out the door, only pausing to grab my purse and jacket. I would tell him tonight. I would tell Maxwell Stanton that I wanted more than friendship.

  oooooooo

  Max

  We won the game 17-7, and honestly should have won by more. One of the receivers took a pretty good hit in the third quarter though and our backup had to come in. He fumbled, and they scooped it up for a touchdown. I have to say, I’m not really mad about it though. I have other things to think about tonight, like Melody and getting some alone time. My dad is letting me drive his Mustang and I just hope that it helps me out tonight.

  After the game, I quickly showered in the locker room, and slipped into my suit. Melody was already dressed from when she participated in the halftime homecoming court celebration. The purple sequin dress she picked fit her like a glove. I couldn’t help but stare when I caught small glimpses during the game. When I stepped outside, she was waiting for me with some of the other girls, Amy included.

  “Hey man.” Jared waved as he swung his arm around Amy’s shoulders. I gave him a nod as I turned toward my car. I needed to put my gear away, and then we could head into the gym.

  “You look great.” Melody startled me as she wrapped her arm around my waist from behind. “That was a great game tonight.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled over my shoulder before turning and holding my arm out to escort her in. “Shall we?”<
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  Melody’s arm looped through mine as we made our way to the gym. Loud music pumped through the speakers, and students covered a small area in the middle that had been set up as a dance floor. Tables with black and white linens were placed around the edges, and a balloon arch was by the door. The obligatory punch bowl sat on a table off to the side, and there were small finger foods a few feet away.

  “Wanna dance?” I smiled nervously down at her. I’d had girlfriends in the past, but no one I really cared about. Melody was different. She seemed like someone who I could really be with. She was pretty, and when she was near me, I got that tingly feeling that I used to get around Hailey. I know that back then it was just the fact that she was a girl. It was purely chemical. This is different. I’m older now, and I know that Melody likes me too. I won’t ruin a friendship that I value if I kiss her.

  “I’d love to.” She waited for me to lead her out onto the dance floor. As soon as we get out there, the music changed to a slower song. I chuckled thinking that the DJ could read my mind. I don’t mind the faster stuff, but I kinda just wanted to hold her in my arms tonight. “This is nice.” She smiled up at me as I wrapped my arms around her lower back. Her hands went to my neck, and we began to sway.

  We talked about mindless things like the upcoming holidays, and what we’d be doing for the weekend. I managed to secure a date for Saturday night, and almost scored a kiss. A real one, not the whole peck on the cheek thing.

  As the night began to wind down, I thought more about the bluffs. I really wanted to go there, but worried that Melody would just see me as this horny guy who wanted to get in her pants. I could hear my mother’s voice in the back of my mind telling me to be gentleman, and despite my sixteen-year-old body screaming at me to make a move, I chickened out and listened to my mother.

  I made up an excuse to leave so Jared wouldn’t rag on me for backing out, and then drove Melody home. When I walked her up to her front door, she fidgeted nervously.