Lane groaned. “I can’t believe it. I never would have guessed you’d be that person.”
She almost laughed but held it in. She’d ordered that just to get under his skin. That, and she did really like vanilla. “I just wanted to put all the toppings on.” Not a lie.
He nodded his head, but not without an eyeroll. “I guess that’s okay.”
“It has to be. It’s what I want.” She smirked at him.
“Fine.” He ordered his cone. After she was handed her dish, she stood at the toppings bar and put just about every topping on. Then she joined him in a booth.
He looked at her ice cream. “That looks like a mess.”
“It’s good this way.”
“Cinnamon bears and caramel?”
“Taste it, if you don’t think it’s good.” She slid it over towards him.
He made a face. “No thanks. I’ll stick with what I’ve got.”
“Suit yourself.” She scooped up a large bite and put it in her mouth. She moaned with pleasure.
He licked his ice cream. “What did you do yesterday?”
She tried not to react to his question, but the memory of Allison laying in the hospital bed flashed into her mind.
His face softened. “You were at the hospital, weren’t you?”
How did he know? She nodded. “Yeah.”
“How’s your sister?”
“About the same.” She didn’t want to talk with him about it. Didn’t want to think about it. It irked her that he was asking about her sister, so she turned the tables on him and quickly asked, “How are your parents?”
He flinched, and she instantly felt guilty. “About the same.”
“Sorry.” She ate another bite, feeling worse every second. As time ticked by, the awkwardness between them grew. Finally, she shifted. If she didn’t start talking, the silence was going to eat her alive. “My sister keeps getting worse. Last week they ran some more tests and they didn’t look good. I’m afraid she’s…” The words caught in her throat and she stopped talking, trying to swallow them back.
“You think she’s going to die?” Lane asked quietly.
Trudy hadn’t said it out loud yet. Not to anyone, not even her mother. But something about the way Lane’s eyes held sympathy made her feel better. “Yeah.”
“Dang, that sucks. I’m so sorry.”
“My parents are having a hard time with it. Mom’s always at the hospital. Dad’s retreating. I can feel him pulling away emotionally. He works all the time now. I know it’s a new job, but he shouldn’t have to work that much. He wants to be at work. He doesn’t want to be around me.” Words kept spilling out of her mouth. Man, why didn’t she shut up?
Lane reached across the table and took her hand. The warmth of his skin startled her. “I understand.”
“I watch my sister’s energy drain away and I can’t help but think that she’s fading away too. Like a light that is growing dimmer each day. Soon it will be gone altogether.” She felt a tear slide down her cheek and only then did she realize she was crying.
“Tell me about your sister.”
“She’s everything I’m not.”
Lane gave her a sad smile. “I’m sure that’s not true.”
“Oh, it’s true. She’s spunky. Loves all things sports. She’s so excited about football season. She’s so into football that she follows the NFL, college football and high school as well.”
His eyes lit up. “So, you’re saying she’s awesome, then?”
Trudy chuckled through her tears. “You would think that.”
“Hey, football is cool.”
“She made me watch the game with her.” Trudy made a face. “A Packers game.”
“She’s smart, then, too.”
“I got her a pack of cards and you should have seen how excited she was when she saw she got a Cameron Hayes card.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Really? She loves Cameron Hayes?”
“Oh, my word, she’s totally gaga over him.”
“Smart and has good taste. I should meet your sister.”
Trudy sat back in her booth and stared at Lane. Why was he being so nice? Surely he wouldn’t want to go through all the trouble of going to the hospital to meet her sister just to win a bet. “Do you mean that?”
He pulled his spoon out of his mouth and nodded. “Yeah, totally. I think I’d like her.”
“Would you come to the hospital in your football gear?” Trudy almost let herself get excited thinking about it.
Lane shrugged. “Sure. If you think she’d like that.”
“Oh, my gosh. She’d love it. She’s a huge Rockford High Panthers fan. She’d get such a thrill.”
“When do you want me to go?”
“Would Saturday work?”
“You bet.” He smiled at her. “I could go before practice.”
Trudy couldn’t believe the feeling of excitement rushing through her. Most of the time she felt so helpless when it came to Allison. But this was something she could surprise her with. Something that would mean a great deal to her. “Thank you.”
Lane squeezed her hand. “No problem.”
Chapter 10
Lane slammed his locker closed, frustration welling in him. He’d been doing everything he could to raise his grade in calculus class, but nothing was helping. His coach had called him in to his office and chewed him out this morning. His homework had improved, with Trudy’s help, but he couldn’t get his test grades up. And now it was time for calculus class, and he had to go take another test he knew he was going to fail.
Gabe sauntered up to him. “How’s it hanging?”
“Not good.”
“What’s wrong?”
Like he wanted to tell Gabe. He thought about making something else up, but in the end, he just sighed and told him. “I’m flunking math class. And if I don’t get my grade up, I’m off the team.”
Gabe leaned over. “No problem. That’s an easy fix. Just do what I do.” He grinned and folded his arms. “Cheat.”
He stared at Gabe. Unbelievable. No wonder he always got good grades. “You cheat?”
“Yeah. Find someone smart and pay them fifty bucks to let you look off their paper. It’s a snap.” He tried to snap his fingers but failed, so he stuffed his hand in his pocket.
“I can’t cheat.” The thought was ludicrous. He wasn’t perfect, but there was no way he could cheat. Only losers cheated. The guys who ended up in jail ten years down the road. He wasn’t smart, but he knew that was a dead-end road.
“Of course, you can. That’s what the fifty bucks is for. So they’ll let you.” Gabe looked at him like he was stupid.
A few students turned to look at him, and Lane ducked his head. “Just be quiet. I’m not going to cheat.”
“Whateves.”
Trudy passed by and Gabe whacked him in the chest. “Hey, look! It’s Prudy!” He said it loudly, and several other football players snickered. Trudy didn’t turn her head.
“Shut up, Gabe,” he muttered.
Gabe ignored him. “What’s the matter, Prudy? Don’t recognize your own name?”
She stopped and slowly turned around, her face steeled. The look she shot Lane froze his blood in his veins. He shoved Gabe. “I said, shut up, man.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Gabe said, exaggerating a bowing motion. “I forgot. You’re dating the prude now.”
What the heck was Gabe doing? Trying to sabotage his bet? He glared at Gabe. “Lay off. I mean it.”
Gabe chuckled. “You’re just mad because she’s the Ice Queen, and you’re stuck with her.”
Lane shoved Gabe’s shoulder. Hard. Gabe staggered back, his face contorting into an angry snarl. “What was that for?” He came at Lane, but he shoved him back again. Football players crowded around them, hungry for a fight.
“Don’t talk about Trudy like that,” he said, his voice low.
Gabe glared at him, and for a second, he thought he was going to get punched, but no fist came. And
then suddenly Gabe chuckled as if he’d just gotten a joke told a while ago. “Oh, I get it.”
Lane wanted to stuff his shoe in Gabe’s mouth but restrained himself. Why was he acting like that? The jerk.
Gabe threw his arm around Lane’s shoulders. “All right, Loverboy. I’ll give you a fighting chance.” He rubbed the top of Lane’s head, messing up his hair.
Lane ducked away from Gabe’s massive paw. “Stop that.”
“Good luck, you two,” Gabe said as he chuckled again and headed down the hallway.
Trudy looked like she wanted to crawl into one of the lockers. As the students dissipated, Lane stepped toward her. “You okay?”
She shrugged, not meeting his gaze. She jutted out her chin.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why do you hang out with him?”
“I dunno. He’s on the team. And we just sort of started talking. He was acting like a jerk just now, but he’s not like that all the time.”
Trudy’s lips drew into a tight line. “You should pay more attention whom you surround yourself with. Sit in filth long enough and you get some of it on you.”
He wasn’t sure what she was talking about. “Huh?”
She turned around on her heel. “See you in class.”
“We might as well walk down there together.” He fell into step beside her.
“I suppose that makes sense.”
He looked down at her. “Are you bothered by what Gabe said?”
“Who wouldn’t be?” she muttered under her breath.
He nodded. She had a point. “I’m sorry. I’ll talk to him. Get him to lighten up.”
She didn’t respond.
“Let’s forget about him. We’ll talk about Homecoming dance instead.”
She stiffened. “About that…”
He’d heard that tone before. It meant she had changed her mind. Thoughts of having to wear a cheerleading outfit to school plagued him and he panicked. “Oh, no. You’re not taking back that you’ll go with me, are you?”
She finally looked up at him. “I just think it wouldn’t be the best idea.”
Arg. This was all Gabe’s fault! If he hadn’t been teasing her, she’d be warming up to him. She’d been practically ready to kiss him the other night. At least, it had seemed like it. Now she was cold again. He plastered on a cute smile. “Listen to your friend Jessica. She thinks you should go with me.”
Trudy made a face but didn’t say anything.
“Come on, I’ve been looking forward to it. You can’t say yes then take that away from me.” Why was he begging her? So pathetic. She was going to see right through him.
“I just think we are from two different worlds.”
“We’re from Wisconsin.”
That got a small smile out of her as they entered the classroom. Mrs. Foster gave them a dirty look as they took their seats. He leaned over to her and whispered, “Come on, please? Don’t make me beg. It’s not pretty when I get desperate.”
She frowned at him. “You mean you’re not desperate yet? Because it looks like you’re already there.”
“Ouch.” He looked up at the ceiling. “Why must you torture me like this? It’s just a dance.”
Trudy shook her head and opened her book. “Stop talking,” she whispered. “You’re going to get us into trouble again.”
“No way. I’m all done with trouble.” He created a halo with his fingers and Trudy smiled at him. Why did it seem like a victory that he got a smile out of her?
As the teacher handed out the test, a wave of apprehension hit Lane. It worsened as he stared down at the equations. None of it made sense to him. Why could he understand it when Trudy walked him through it, but then when he had to do it himself, he got all muddled?
Trudy had already solved the first one. He didn’t mean to glance at her paper, but it was right there, easy to see. In fact, looking at the first part helped trigger his memory, and he remembered what she’d taught him. He quickly wrote down the steps to the solution.
He stared at the next one. He knew this. He just couldn’t remember. Another quick glance at Trudy’s paper and he was able to solve the second problem.
He didn’t feel like it was cheating because he was still solving them on his own. He was just getting help with the beginning part. The clock ticked loudly as he worked on the rest of his paper. When he realized he’d finished the last one, he let out a deep breath. He passed! He knew it.
Elation filled him as he walked to the front of the class and turned in the test. He was going to stay on the team. He was in! He tossed his paper on the pile, a smile forming on his face.
Chapter 11
Trudy turned the combination on her locker as students rushed past her, ready to leave the building. She should be relieved it was the end of the school day, but too much weight pressed down on her. She didn’t want to go home and sit in an empty house. Didn’t want to think about all the bad things in her life.
Jessica walked up to her and brushed her long, red hair over her shoulder. “Hey.” She smiled. “What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
“Want to go to No Strings Attached with me?”
Trudy raised an eyebrow. “The music store?”
“Yeah. I have to pick up my guitar. The soda shop is next door. I’ll buy you one.” Jessica leaned against the lockers. “They’ve got like a billion flavors.”
“Sure.” Anything to avoid being in her house alone. She grabbed her backpack and stuffed her calculus book in, then she slammed her locker shut.
“Great. We can take my car.” They fell into step. Jessica grinned at her. “So, tell me, how’s it going with hottie?”
Just the thought of Lane’s face made her pulse react, and she inwardly groaned. Why was she so attracted to him? He didn’t like her that way. She pushed on the metal bar to open the door and sighed. “I told him today I changed my mind. I’m backing out of it.”
“Really? Why did you say that?”
Trudy honestly didn’t know. She was feeling awkward about the whole thing. “I guess I’m losing interest in it.”
“But it’s perfect. He thinks he’s playing you when you’re the one playing him. It’s a karma thing.”
Maybe that was it. Trudy was starting to see things in Lane that made him not so bad. Ugh, did she really just admit that to herself? That she liked him? “I don’t know. It’s starting to make me uncomfortable.”
Jessica opened her car door and slid in. Trudy went around to the passenger side. After Jessica started up the car, she glanced at Trudy. “Are you saying you like the guy?”
She bit her lip. Was she saying that?
Jessica sucked in a breath. “Dang, girl. You do like him!”
Trudy moaned and put her hands over her face. “I’m soooo stupid.”
“Wait a second. Hold on. Let’s talk about this because this is important.” She pulled into traffic then slowed for a light. “You like the guy who is going to play a mean prank on you. Why? What would posses you to like him?”
Trudy studied her fingernails. “I don’t know. He got mad at Gabe for calling me Prudy.”
“So, he stood up for you.” Jessica gave her a searching look. “Was it an act?”
Trudy hadn’t thought about that. “I don’t know.”
“Break it down, girl. He made a bet with Gabe that you would go to the dance with him. If Gabe is being mean to you, in front of him, wouldn’t he have to stick up for you? Like, wouldn’t you hate him if he sat there and laughed while Gabe called you names?”
Anger and humiliation rose in her as she thought about it and her stomach clenched. Jessica was right. Lane couldn’t make fun of her. She’d never go to the dance with him if he did. She hated to admit it, but Lane was acting, and it had fooled her. “You’re right.”
“He’s totally playing you, girl.” Jessica said it quietly, like she was trying not to hurt her feelings.
Trudy sighed. “You are absolutely right. And I’m an idiot.�
� How could she have fallen for that? She had started liking Lane. But not anymore. She couldn’t fall for his stupid acting nice gig.
“Oh my gosh, you’re not an idiot. He’s a hottie. Like, really hot. And he’s got those eyes…”
Trudy didn’t want to think about his eyes. “Stop!”
Jessica laughed, a light twittering kind of sound. “Okay, okay. Operation Break Lane is back on track.”
“Yep. I’m all in now.”
“You have to make him think you’re super into him. Like, falling all over him stuff.” She pulled into the music store parking lot and cut the engine. “Right?”
Trudy swallowed and steeled herself for it. “Right.”
“That’s it.” Jessica grinned and patted her shoulder. “You’ll be great, I know it. Just don’t look into his eyes.”
“Yeah…”
They got out of the car and walked into No Strings Attached. Jessica brushed her red hair over her shoulder and leaned against the counter, waiting for the guy to get done with another customer. Trudy stood back and looked at the music posters on the walls.
The man who worked there was in his late fifties, with long hair that looked like it used to be dark, but finally gave way to the gray. He walked back behind the counter and smiled at Jessica. “It’s all ready to go.”
“Great. How much do I owe you?”
“I didn’t end up having to do the total refret, so I’ll charge for a partial. One hundred and fifty dollars.”
“Oh, good.” Jessica pulled a debit card from her purse and handed it to the man. “Neil, this is Trudy. She’s a friend from school.”
Neil smiled and gave her a nod. “Hi, Trudy.” He motioned to a guitar on the wall with his chin. “Do you play?”
“Uh, no.” Trudy felt awkward, like she was intruding on something she wasn’t a part of. “I don’t play anything.”
“That’s okay. We allow non-musical people in here too.” Neil gave her a wink, and she smiled back at him.
After he ran Jessica’s card, he motioned to the back room. “I’ll be right back.” He disappeared behind a curtain.
Trudy looked over at a drum set sitting in the corner. “How many instruments do you play?”
A Young Adult Romance Collection Page 6