A couple hours and a large bowl of homemade ravioli later, Becca and Daisy are honking for me. I thank my aunt for the meal and hurry down the steps so they’ll ease off the horn.
Mrs. Winthrop’s SUV is parked against the sidewalk.
“Get in, loser, we’re going hunting!” Becca calls out from the car window.
“What are we hunting for?” I ask when I slide into the cabin.
“For boys, obviously,” Becca says.
“Don’t you already have a boyfriend?” I ask Becca after Daisy pulls the car onto the main street.
“Duh,” she says and turns around to look at me. “But you two don’t.”
“I think I’m quite fed up with boys at this point.”
Someone snorts from the front. “Sweet, sweet, Calla, you haven’t even begun.”
“No flies on the wall in here,” Becca says and holds up two fingers on top of her head as if she’s wearing a pair of horns. “So, what’s the 411 about you and Tall, Dark, and Broody? After he bailed you out?”
I’m surprised the rest of the town hasn’t already heard about my arrest. I’m not sure what Alcott did on my behalf but it must have been big. As for what happened between Luke and me, well, I’m still trying to figure that part out.
“Nothing,” I lie, “but Lily told me today she wasn’t going to back down.”
“On what?”
“She isn’t going to stop until her brother and I are together.”
Daisy and Becca look at each other before back at me. “Listen, not to sound like a bitch or anything, but Luke doesn’t really seem to be into you. I mean it was nice to get his friend to be your lawyer, but that doesn’t exactly scream ‘in love’ to me.”
I nod, the truth of our kiss on the tip of my tongue.
Becca continues, “I thought it was hot and stuff at first. Like, ooh, here’s this hot mysterious guy who’s heartbroken and here you are broken and weird, just ready and willing to glue him back together again…but it doesn’t really seem like he wants you to glue him together. You know what I mean?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” The fact I’m able to follow Becca’s lingo is baffling to me.
If I try to add up all the small moments Luke and I have together to try to have some sort of overall understanding, my head will explode.
I lick my dry lips, wishing with everything in me that the small movement didn’t make me think of Luke.
All annoyance from the conversation is completely overtaken by shock when we pull up to parking lot closest to the soccer field.
True to Daisy’s words, it seems like the entire town of Diablo came out to support the high school soccer team.
“You’re going to want this.”
She shoves a pair of red sequined horns in my face. With my eyes scanning the filled parking lot, I didn’t even notice Daisy and Becca put on matching headbands.
My brow furrows and Becca says, “Don’t judge us.”
I’d never—only God judges.
My friends cheer when I place it on my head.
“Excellent, now let’s hunt,” Daisy says.
We get out of the car and grab each other’s hands so we don’t get lost within the crowd. One of the teachers is standing at the gate checking for tickets, one of the few ways the school is actually able to fundraise.
Our school ID’s get us in for free and Becca leads the way, pushing and weaving through the crowd. “Snacks?”
We all nod and head to the snack shack on the other side of the bleachers. The line is ridiculously long, but as we watch those leaving with hot chocolate and other snack items we decide the wait is worth it.
We’ve been waiting in the line for about five minutes when we catch a glimpse of the person holding up the line.
Lily Hale is wearing the gaudy horns and a red cape.
I can’t help but laugh at the sight.
As if sniffing me out, she turns over her shoulder and sees me waiting in line. She waves us up. Becca drags us past the line of people waiting without any hesitation.
“Order whatever you want,” Lily says. “Daddy’s paying.”
“I never say no to the Devil’s money,” Becca replies and starts firing off her order.
I don’t hesitate to follow directions and order a hot chocolate.
“That’s quite the ensemble,” I tell Lily when we’re waiting off to the side for our number to be called out.
“Yeah,” she says and twirls in her cape. “I figure if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”
“What would the Devil think?” Becca jokes.
Lily shrugs.
“He’d probably be a fan of mine.”
“Is your brother going to grace us with his presence?” Daisy asks.
The girls look at me and I shrug.
“He’s somewhere around here, I think,” Lily says.
“Calla tells us you’re not going to back off of trying to play cupid.”
If looks could kill, Becca would be on the floor right now.
Wait, I don’t really mean that.
“I’m doing just that. I have a strong inkling that they should be together.”
“And why’s that?”
I wish Daisy didn’t ask.
Lily smiles softly. “They’re more alike than they realize.”
Our order number is called out and we all approach the stand to take our food.
Off to the side, some of the younger soccer players are circled near the gate separating the field. Ryan Gunderson catches my eye and waves me over. Becca follows my gaze and brings the group over to them.
“You benched?” she asks them when we approach.
Half of the guys nod while the others roll their eyes.
“But it’s pre-season,” Lily says around a mouthful of chocolate chip cookie. “Shouldn’t all the good players be on bench?”
They don’t seem insulted by the accusation
“We’re playing Greenfield tonight. It’s all hands-on deck.”
As if that’s supposed to tell me anything. Lily and I share a glance.
“Greenfield is a local rival. They’re the only team within an hour drive,” Becca explains. “It’s a rural town, so soccer is all they have to do. Meaning, they’re pretty damn good.”
The boys scoff. “Not that good.”
Daisy rolls her eyes and mouths, “Pretty good.”
Ryan gently elbows me to get my attention. “Hey, did you ever think about what I asked you?”
I nod, and then I sense an uncomfortableness wave over the group.
A heavy hand touches my shoulder and my entire body tenses.
As if it belongs there, the hand glides over my shoulder blade and cups the base of my neck in a gentle grip.
All eyes turn to me as Luke Hale tucks me against his side, making room for himself in the group.
My spine is taut, my teeth grinding.
The heat of his body against mine burns through my layers and makes me fidget. Sweat gathers at the base of my neck, and he brushes away the damp strands.
I try to jerk away from him, remembering his dismissal from last night. He doesn’t seem affected by my rejection.
“Calla?”
Ryan.
“Sorry,” I tell him. “Yes. I thought about what you asked.”
Luke’s thumb rubs a small circle against my exposed neck.
My breathing deepens. My chest burns.
I unzip my jacket.
Pull at the neck of my shirt.
Completely irritated at my own traitorous body for still being affected by him despite his continuous dismissal of it.
What is he doing to me?
“And?”
Luke helps me by turning my head toward Ryan.
Everyone looks back at me.
“No. But The New Revised Standard Version is a great translation of the Bible. I couldn’t find anything else, sorry.”
Ryan approached me a couple days ago asking if I had any old religious studies assignments
he could cheat off of and I told him I’d look. I knew what my answer was right away but wasn’t in the mood to tell him when he originally asked.
One of Ryan’s teammates smacks him on the back of his head.
“Do your own damn work, Gunderson.”
A voice comes over the speakers, announcing the beginning of the game.
I take the distraction as an opportunity to shimmy out of Luke’s hold. Roll my shoulders back when I’m no longer pressed against his side.
The players say their goodbyes and head back toward the field house.
Daisy and Becca nod toward the bleachers.
I take a large step forward, wanting to make my escape.
Luke grabs my hand, pulling me back.
“Can I speak with you?”
My friends conveniently slow down their pace, practically craning their necks to try to hear my response.
My mouth dries and eyes close.
His fingers are interlaced with mine. Feeling secure and warm.
I’d rather conjure up a dream about us than relive last night. That way, when I wake up disappointed, I’ll know it was only a dream.
“No.”
I pull my fingers out of his grip.
I shuffle after my friends toward the bleachers and to the section reserved for students. Though the field is half dead and damp due to the chilly air, the ambiance is exciting. Rows of devil horns take up every section of the bleachers, and we manage to find an empty row near the top.
Luke hasn’t followed us yet.
We sit on the cold benches and huddle together for warmth.
A small group takes center stage, the man in the middle holding a megaphone.
“How’s everybody doing?” The sheriff asks, and the crowd whoops. “Good, good, glad to hear it. Before we watch the Devils win tonight’s game”—the crowd cheers—“we want to give a formal update about our investigation. Unfortunately, there has not been any further development in the case, so we’re going to pull back the volunteers. We feel confident it’s not the work of a serial killer and it was an isolated incident. That being said, we still caution everybody to go back home after the game and avoid staying out too late.”
With that, the officers disperse.
They’ve only been here for a few days yet I’m happy to see them go, especially…
Daisy sighs.
“I’m going to miss watching him during the mile…even though he’s a dick for arresting you.”
I watch as Officer Valencia leaves the field, and I sincerely hope to never see his face again.
Another voice echoes throughout the stadium, announcing the start of the game and people thrust their fake pitchforks in the air in support of the home team.
The opposing team runs out onto the field in green uniforms and you can hear the three parents cheering from all the way on the other side of the field.
When the home team runs out onto in their red and white uniform, the crowd is absolutely deafening. I feel a bit uneasy, unsure what to do.
“Have my babies, number 87!”
“I love you, number 87!”
“I’m going to hit that tonight!”
It takes me a minute to realize all of these shouts are all coming from the same person.
“Look how fucking hot he looks in those shorts,” Becca says when she finally settles down.
“Are you okay?” Daisy asks sarcastically. “I don’t think he can hear you.”
“Oh, I think he hears her all right.”
Freddie looks up into the mob of horn-wearing viewers and spots his girlfriend. He waves up to her and she blows kisses back to him. He catches them and puts one in his nonexistent pockets.
“Wow that was disgusting,” Lily says.
“Don’t worry, Lily, you’ll get a boyfriend you’re obsessed with too one day and then I’ll be the one laughing.”
Lily wears a smug expression though she bobbed her head side to side in thoughtfully. “Boys are stupid.”
“Here, here,” I tell her.
“My brother might be an idiot, but he’s not disgusting,” she clarifies.
“That’s great, Lily,” I say.
Tyler follows Freddie’s gaze up and waves at us so I wave back.
I don’t have to look to know Lily is rolling her eyes.
The game begins, and I quickly realize I don’t actually have any idea what is going on. Freddie and Tyler walk to the middle of the field to meet the opposing team. The four boys, including a referee, shake hands and then toss a coin. Eventually the opposing team kicks the ball, and then our players are kicking at the other teams’ shins.
A familiar tingle runs up my spine, and my eyes look over without permission.
Luke is climbing the metal stairs toward us, his long legs allowing him to take two steps at a time.
By the time he gets to us, he’s all I can see. The game completely forgotten.
My traitorous friends make room on either side of me, allowing Luke to have his pick of seats.
He takes a seat on my left, closest to his sister.
I put my hands on both sides of me, gripping the edge of the seat. My knuckles aching from being clenched.
I count to three each time I breathe, try to stabilize my pulse.
I sneak a glance at him from the corner of my eyes. His eyes are focused on the field, as if he actually cares. It annoys me.
He’s the most infuriating person I’ve ever met.
Tyler steals the ball and everyone begins to chant.
I open my mouth to cheer, when Luke’s fingertips brush against the back of my hand. My mouth freezes in an open circle.
I do my best to ignore him, to stay completely focused on the game. The game my friends are playing in. My actual friends. Not someone who paints a picture resembling me, gives me the best first kiss of my life, and then wants me to get out of his car.
I squeeze my fingers around the lip of the metal.
But Luke’s hand completely envelops mine and I’m a goner. His warm fingers wrap over my own, stopping the shaking.
My chest expands as I take in a large breath.
I don’t look at him.
He doesn’t say anything to me.
Daisy looks over me and speaks to Lily.
When she pulls back to sit back in her seat, her eyes flick down and see Luke clasping my hand. Her eyes are sparkling when she winks at me.
I shake my head at her.
And that’s the game we play for the rest of night.
When Freddie scores a goal, Becca hauls me up out of the seat to celebrate. But as soon as I sit back down in the seat, Luke grabs my hand once more.
The rowdier the crowd gets, the more we jump out of our seats. Each time, Luke lets my hand slip from his with no problem. Never forcing me to hold onto his or touching me anywhere but my hand.
There’s less than a minute left in the game, and every single person in the stands is sitting on the edge of their seats. Even Lily seems to take an interest. The score is tied and if we lose, Becca says we’ll never live it down.
The commotion on the field is too much for me to follow. Daisy does her best to explain the game to me, but I fall short. All I know is, Tyler has the ball and he’s racing down the field. An opposing player slides and tries to steal the ball, but Tyler weaves around and keeps his lead. The clock on the scoreboard is at thirty seconds, and everyone is standing up to make sure they’re able to see the last few moments of the game.
Head to head with the boy blocking the goal, time seems to slow down. Tyler fakes to the left, and the goalie falls for it.
Tyler kicks the ball into the net.
The entire stadium jumps in unison and this is the most excitement I’ve ever felt in my life. Devil-horned wearing students grip each other in tights hugs and Becca is already running down the stairs to meet her boyfriend.
I scream out Tyler’s name, proud to say I know him. Daisy jerks me into her arms, and together we scream in each other’s ears.<
br />
Plastic pitch forks are almost poking out eye balls, but no one seems to care.
I turn left, ready to continue the excitement, but instead find myself looking into a chest.
Luke’s amused eyes are gazing down at me.
I clear my throat and turn back around.
Becca is already halfway down the steps.
Daisy motions for me to follow her and takes my free hand, pulling me toward the stairs. My feet move fast and I pray with each step that I don’t fall and slip.
Becca climbs over the fence and straight into her boyfriend’s arms, her legs wrapping around his waist.
The rest of us run through the opening in the fence.
Daisy lets go of my hand to run and celebrate, taunting any of the other players she comes across.
The weight of my hand in Luke’s suddenly feels a whole lot heavier. I still don’t understand what he’s doing. He keeps his intentions completely to himself. Every time he’s around me, he makes something happen, seduces me into something I’ve never done before, and then pulls away, leaving me cold. And once again, I played into his manipulation. He captured me with as little as his hand holding mine. A warmth and comfort I’ve never known but am close to getting addicted to.
Classmates whiz by, throwing up the middle finger to the opposing players, before joining our team in the center of the field, high-fiving everyone.
I face Luke head-on, slip my hand out of his. Take a step away from him to judge his actions.
His hand falls back to his side, his fingers clenched.
“You never let me finish,” he says, his rough voice barely audible over the crowd behind us.
“What?”
“Yesterday. You never let me finish what I was going to say.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. Unsure if I even want to know what he was going to say.
“I didn’t want you to leave.”
My exhale is shaky.
“It was the right thing for me to do.”
“Calla—”
I shake my head.
“No,” I say. “We were finally coming to an understanding and I pushed it. Now we’re both confused, so, let’s un-confuse it.”
He frowns.
“Calla—”
“No,” I say. “No, Luke.”
I leave.
When I approach my friends, Tyler picks me up by my waist and whirls me around. I squeal in both surprise and delight. I’m still laughing when he places me back on the ground, sets his hand on my shoulder, and continues his conversation.
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