Natalie says “He’s from Glenmont” as I say “She’s from Alleghany.” Once again, we sound synchronized.
“Oh, shit.” Parker chuckles.
I explained the Glenmont-Alleghany rivalry to him, so he understands what that means. But it’s not something you can fully comprehend as an outsider, as evidenced by his amusement. Natalie and I are both stone-faced. Tessa just looks confused. Evidently, Natalie didn’t mention the rivalry toherfriend.
“You guys are good to be in the same room together, right?” he asks.
When mine and Natalie’s response is to continue glaring at each other, the seriousness of the situation seems to sink in a little.
“I’m sure Natalie knows how to play nice,” I say, in a tone that suggests the opposite.
She scoffs.
“Oh-kay…” Parker replies. “I can bring you upstairs. Show you where to put your stuff. The girls already claimed the biggest rooms, of course.”
I take that to mean I’ll have to deal with Natalie more than just tonight. That she’s thefriendspending the weekend. Fan-fucking-tastic.
“Tyler just showed up,” Tessa says, looking toward the front door.
Parker follows her gaze. “I should go say hi. I’ll be right back,” he tells me, then heads toward a tall guy who must be Tyler.
“I’ll be right back,” Tessa adds, then follows after Parker.
Leaving Natalie and me —alone.
I grip the strap of my duffel bag. “How do you know Parker’s cousin?”
“College.” Natalie looks amused. I realize why when she adds, “I never introduced myself.”
Busted.
“Would you rather I called youAlleghany’s head cheerleader?”
She smirks. “No, I just think it’sinterestingyou looked me up.”
“Better than being offended you knew who I was, and I didn’t know who you are.”
“Well, once you’ve heard a guy is a pompous prick twenty times, his name starts to stick in your head.”
“I suppose I’m the pompous prick?”
“You said it, not me.”
I exhale. “You’re staying here? All weekend?”
“I think you got knocked on the head one too many times trying to find your receivers, Stevens,” she tells me. “That’s what Parker just said.”
“Thought you might be reconsidering.”
“I was here first. If anyone should be reconsidering, it’s you.”
“You were here first?What are you, five?”
“Right,” she drawls. “You can’t get over high school, butI’mthe immature one.”
“I’m over high school.”
“You over losing to Alleghany every year too? ’Cause from where I was standing on the field, you took that pretty hard.”