Us at the Beach

by Stephanie Street

  The chatter and noise fell away and all I could think was how amazing it had been to hold his hand, to have his attention, and to know the taste of his kiss. The spell was broken, however, when Abby stepped in front of Walker, drawing his attention away from me. And I remembered I wasn’t what Walker wanted. And maybe I never had been.

  Walker

  That first day was the beginning of a routine with Blythe. Every morning I picked her up in front of her house and we rode to school, mostly in silence except for stupid pleasantries. How is cross-country or I’m already overwhelmed with Algebra homework. That kind of crap. Once we got to school, Blythe jumped out after thanking me for the ride and went to meet up with her little blonde friend who I discovered was named Lilly. Usually, I watched her from the driver’s seat of my car, wondering if I ever knew Blythe at all.

  It never took long after arriving at school for me to get sucked in by the guys on the team and the girls that followed them around. It appeared Blythe wasn’t far off about the girls. I was fresh meat on campus and I had more female attention than I’d ever had before. It was equal parts flattering and annoying. It was mostly annoying because the girl I wanted attention from ignored me most of the time.

  Blythe was becoming more and more of a mystery. As I went to school every day, I became aware of the lay of the land. The football players and their girls pretty much ruled the school. And since most of them went on to play basketball, and then baseball, their reign would hold steady until graduation. I suppose this is true in most high schools, but the school I went to in California was a lot bigger and it didn’t seem like the social hierarchy was as strict as it is here.

  I also spent a lot of time observing Blythe. The first day of school, when I walked into the cafeteria, my first instinct had been to find her. She was easy to spot sitting in the back corner of the room with Lilly and a few other kids I didn’t know. Of course, I immediately got sucked in by the football players and sat at their table right in the center of the room. It was a pattern, these guys were the center of everything, and as the new starting quarterback, my place with them was a given.

  I guess, this summer, when Blythe and I were hanging out, I just figured we would move around in the same social circles. But now, I understand just how wrong I had been about that. As adorable as I find Blythe, the girls sitting at the center lunch table are in a whole different league- one I find I have no interest playing in. Where Blythe’s beauty is understated and sweet, these girls market themselves like masters with skimpy, trendy clothes and more make-up than drag queens. And it’s not like they aren’t nice, in fact, I really like most of them, especially Abby. But for some reason I can’t explain, I’m stuck on Blythe and can’t seem to work up any interest in these girls.

  Ha. Wouldn’t Abby and Deidre be surprised to find out I’d kissed Blythe? More than once. And that I was dying to do it again? I don’t claim to understand the disconnect between us at the beach and us at home but I really wanted to go back to us at the beach.

  My observations of Blythe had led me to several conclusions. First, Blythe was not popular. In fact, most of my new friends didn’t even know who she was. On one of the first days of school, Mike had seen Blythe getting out of my car and asked me about her. I’d been so surprised, I just looked at him like he was crazy.

  “You don’t know her?” I’d asked him.

  “No, should I? Is she senior?” he asked.

  “She’s a junior and her name is Blythe Richardson. She’s gone to school here since kindergarten. How do you not know who she is?” Because he’d remembered me just fine and I’d been gone for three years.

  Mike just shrugged. “I’ve never noticed her before.”

  How could he not have noticed her? That’s all I could think when he told me. But then, I started watching more closely and I saw that no one noticed Bly. It was like she was invisible. She just flew right under everyone’s radar. I never really saw her talk with anyone but Lilly. In the halls, she walked alone. Even when I saw her running with the cross-country team, she was usually on her own. What the heck was wrong with everybody around here? Why couldn’t they see what I saw?

  My next conclusion, Blythe is not someone who would just play a guy. Truly, I didn’t think I’d seen her talk to a single male other than me the whole week. Even the guys who sat at the lunch table with her and Lilly. She wasn’t standoffish or stuck up or anything, she was just there, like she blended into the background. Like she was trying to blend into the background. I didn’t have an explanation for the ice queen that got into my car the first day of school, but I really don’t think that was the real Blythe, at all.

  As I ran through warm-ups the night of our first game, I couldn’t stop glancing into the stands. Blythe told me she didn’t usually go to football games, but I kept hoping she would show up tonight. Even though I lost our bet, I hoped she would come. I somehow felt that if Blythe were here tonight, then it wasn’t all pretend. That I didn’t just imagine the connection I felt with her. And I vowed to myself, if Blythe showed up tonight, I was going to win her back.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Blythe

  I had no intention of going to the game. It’s all anyone at school could talk about. They were all excited to see Walker’s first game. There was a lot of hype surrounding him and the whole community was buzzing to watch him play this season. And that was how I ended up in the stands sitting with my parents and his on Friday night. My dad had stopped in the doorway to my room, doing a double take when he saw me curled under my blankets with a book in my lap.

  “Why aren’t you getting ready for the game?” he asked.

  I frowned. “The game? Since when do you guys go to the games?”

  “Since my best friend’s son is the starting quarterback,” he answered as if this were obvious. Apparently, it wasn’t to me, because I just assumed this year would be like all the rest and dad would stay home and watch something on tv. It never occurred to me that dad would want to go if he felt like he had someone to cheer on.

  It was hard to stop looking at Walker. He was just right there, in the middle of all the action on the field. Even during warm ups, it seemed like everything revolved around him. Maybe it was just that everything revolved around him for me. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I couldn’t stop thinking about us at the beach. I couldn’t stop remembering how my hand felt in his. How his body felt so close to mine as we watched that scary movie. How amazing his kiss felt.

  I wasn’t just noticing him tonight, either. I’ve been noticing him all week. I’ve noticed how his smile turns happy when I get in his car each morning. I’ve noticed how I catch him looking at me during lunch. I’ve noticed how he’s nice to the girls that flock around the football players, but he keeps his distance. I’ve noticed that he doesn’t seem like a player at all. He doesn’t seem like a jerk at all.

  The timer counting down warm-ups reached ten minutes and our team jogged toward the locker room one last time before the start of the game. I watched Walker, admiring the athletic build of his body in his shoulder pads and uniform. Before he reached the fence surrounding the field and track, he suddenly stopped and turned, his eyes searching the stands. I wondered who he was looking for, and then my heart stopped because his gaze had stopped. On. Me.

  His lips curled into a grin and just before he turned to head into the locker room- he winked.

  Walker

  She was here. In the stands, beside our parents and not in the student section. With all my new Blythe observations, I wasn’t surprised. I wished she’d gone for the cheerleader uniform with my number on it, but it was enough that she was here. Enough to make me determined to figure out what had happened between us and to make it right.

  It was a good game. There were some glitches that would need to be worked out, but I knew what I was doing and I could tell Coach was happy with my performance. All that work before school started had really paid off making it more than worth it to have put in the time. M
ore than once, I felt my gaze stray to where I knew Blythe sat in the stands. She stayed with our parents and the little kids the whole game. My heart lifted to see her cheering for us. For me.

  We won (of course) and all I could think about was buying Blythe a shake. As soon as the clock ran down, I made my way over to the bleachers to catch her before she left.

  “Hey, Blythe!” I called out. She saw me and I noticed her eyes widen in surprise. I motioned for her to come over to me.

  “Good game, son,” a random stranger congratulated me with a slap on my shoulder pads. I smiled my thanks to him and several others who echoed the sentiment before Blythe and our parents made their way down to me.

  “You were amazing out there,” my mom gushed, hugging me over the fence. I accepted her praise and affection.

  “Thanks, Mom.” Dad shook my hand and clapped me on the back when she finally released me.

  “I’m proud of you, son,” he said, smiling big. I nodded, my throat closing a bit at his praise. It was just a football game, right?

  Blythe’s parents offered their congratulations on our win and I could see they were all preparing to leave.

  “Mr. Richardson, would it be okay if I gave Blythe a ride home? I promised her a shake if we won.” I avoided her gaze, but I could sense her body tensing beside me. I knew if I said something to her directly, she’d try to get out of it.

  Dave glanced between us and I made sure to keep my eyes steady and honest. After a moment, he nodded. “Sure, Walk, just make sure you guys are home by midnight, okay?”

  “Yes, sir. We probably won’t be that long,” I reassured him.

  Dave smiled and slapped his hand on my shoulder. “Walker, if a dad gives you permission to stay out a couple hours with a pretty girl, don’t waste it.”

  “Oh, my goodness, Dad,” Blythe finally spoke up beside me and I couldn’t stop my grin.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll have her home by midnight.”

  Blythe fumed beside me until our parents were out of hearing distance.

  “What was that all about?” she asked.

  I started walking toward the locker room, taking a chance that she’d follow me. She did. “We won. I owe you a shake.” I tried not to feel too smug.

  “Don’t you think you should clear it with me before blindsiding my dad like that?” She had to almost jog to keep up with me. I didn’t slow my pace. I kinda wanted to see what she’d do.

  “Did we or did we not have a deal, Bly?” I asked.

  “For a shake. Not for hanging out, Walker.”

  Burn.

  I stopped dead in my tracks and faced her. “Are you kidding me? I lead my team to victory-” I know, I was laying it on thick, “and I have to deliver your shake?” I leaned in as close as I could in my shoulder pads without touching her. “Don’t you think I’ve earned your company?”

  For a second, her eyes looked vulnerable and it pinched at my heart. For the first time, I wondered if I had done something to hurt her. If I had somehow robbed the sparkle from her eyes and replaced it with darkness.

  “Fine, we’ll go for shakes.” She faced forward and began marching toward the locker room. I stood watching her long enough I was the one jogging to catch up to her.

  “I’ll hurry. Just wait here.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Blythe

  This was such a bad idea. It’s bad enough riding in his car on the way to and from school. But now, I’ve just sat through three hours of Walker dominating on the football field, looking hot. Sitting beside him, with his hair damp from his shower and smelling amazing, was really messing with me.

  “Are you sure you want to do this right now? Isn’t the team going somewhere to celebrate your win?” Aren’t there a thousand girls waiting for you to grace them with your presence?

  “Why wouldn’t I want to hang out with you? Besides, I think everyone is going to the diner anyway,” he answered casually, like I usually spent my Friday nights hanging out with Mike and the guys. Like Abby and I were best friends or something.

  We’re not.

  “That’s okay, isn’t it?” he asked, suddenly. Maybe he was picking up on my this-is-out-of- my-comfort-zone vibe.

  I shrugged and worked at nonchalance. I could do this. I can get a shake with the popular crowd. Right?

  I felt a little green. Invisible. That’s what I’m good at. I should never have allowed myself to fall for Walker in the first place. Even knowing he never really liked me and was just messing with me at the beach, I couldn’t help my feelings for him, my attraction to him. But how could I have ever thought we would work in the first place. Tonight, honestly this whole week, but especially tonight, had proven Walker is truly out of my league. He was never meant to be invisible. He is made for the spotlight. He’s got looks. Talent. Charm.

  And all I’d have of him- memories of us at the beach.

  I just needed to remember that.

  The diner was already full to capacity with fans and players alike. All kids from our school. I recognized most of them, but I was pretty sure none of them even knew my name. Walker opened the door for me and I felt his hand, warm on my lower back as he guided me through.

  Dang tingles!

  The entire place erupted with cheers as soon as Walker crossed the threshold. He grinned, accepting the adoration of his fans, but I noticed the tips of his ears turn red from all the attention.

  “Walker! Over here, man,” Mike shouted from a booth in the corner. It was one of those curved ones that seated eight or so and people had shoved more chairs than were designed to go there around the exposed edges of the table. One seat was empty. Waiting for Walker. Right beside Abby.

  I hesitated. Okay, I came to a complete halt. There was no way I was ready for this. It’s one thing to watch him flirt and be flirted with from afar, but standing on the outskirts of the popular table when we weren’t at school- not my idea of fun.

  “That’s cool, man. I’m gonna find a spot for me and Blythe.” I saw as Mike, seeming confused, glanced in my direction for the first time. Probably ever. Ugh.

  “Oh, no, that’s ok-”

  Walker cut me off. “No backing out now, Bly.” He stepped in front of me, blocking my body from view of Mike and everyone in the corner.

  “You can sit with everybody, I’ll just,” my voice trailed off as I took in the packed diner. “Sit somewhere else.”

  Walker’s brows lowered. “Are you kidding? I owe you a shake.” His voice lowered and his hands came to rest on my shoulders. “I invited you here. I’m not just going to leave you.”

  “Why are you doing this,” I whispered.

  Walker reached out and lifted my chin with a knuckle. “Let’s get a shake, huh?”

  I couldn’t move. I felt rooted to the tacky linoleum floor. I wanted to stay there forever and stare into Walker’s blue eyes. Eventually, I nodded and the spell was broken. Walker put his hand at my back again.

  “Walker! We made room, dude!” Mike shouted again. I glanced toward the table at the back and sure enough, another spot had opened at the exclusive table in the corner.

  Walker turned to me. “Is that cool?”

  I nodded, not trusting my voice. We made our way to the back of the diner amid back slaps and calls of congratulations for Walker. He smiled and acknowledged everyone, surprising me with his humility. Not that I expected him to be a jerk about it, but I didn’t know guys his age could be so gracious.

  I took a deep breath as we reached the table. Mike and Jason were there, as well as a couple of offensive lineman, Hayden Taylor and Alex Michaels. Abby, Deidre, and Mandy rounded out the group. The one chair was still empty beside Abby as well as a space beside it on the bench seat. I glanced at Walker, knowing there was no way he would fit next to Hayden on the bench, so I slid into the space before he could. But that meant he had to sit beside Abby, and while I think Abby is nice, the look she shot me when I came in with Walker was not.

  “Hey guys, you know Blythe, right?” W
alker said as he plunked down in his seat.

  “Sure. Hey, Blythe,” Mike gave me one of those chin nods guys do that works for ‘hey’, ‘yes’, ‘what’s up’, and ‘I got your back’.

  “Hey, Mike,” I greeted him by name, even though I’m certain he hadn’t known mine until Walker said it.

  Beside me, Hayden, held out his fist. I tapped it with my own and received another nod before he pushed some fries in my direction.

  Huh.

  “Blythe?” Deidre said to the table at large, her nose wrinkled. “What kind of name is that?”

  “It means cheerful,” Walker answered around a mouthful of Hayden’s fries.

  I turned toward Walker, my mouth gaping open. How did he know that?

  “What?” he asked, a fry halfway to his mouth.

  “How did you know that?” I asked.

  “You told me,” he answered.

  “I did? When?”

  Walker shrugged. “Yeah. It was a long time ago. Before. What kind of shake do you want?”

  What? I shook my head, trying to clear it. How did he remember something like that from that long ago?

  “Blythe. What kind of shake?” he asked again, nudging my knee with his under the table.

  “Oh. Um. Strawberry, please.” I stuttered, completely flustered.

  “Okay,” he said, then turned to a waitress I hadn’t noticed standing over his shoulder, “a large strawberry and a large chocolate shake.”