I roll my eyes. “Jealous of my popularity?”
Chris scoffs. “Hardly. It looks exhausting.”
I laugh. “It is. You guys order yet?” I glance across the table at Charlie and Adam. They both shake their heads.
“Damn. I’m starving.”
“Where the hell have you been all day?” Chris asks. “I texted you earlier saying we were headed to Baylor’s pool, and you never replied.”
“I know. I was training.”
“All day again?”
“Most of it.”
“Should make my job easier in September,” Adam remarks, shrugging. Charlie and Chris eye me dubiously.
“Yes, that’s the reason I’m training so hard,” I respond, rolling my eyes. “To simplify things for you, Powers.”
After we devour several pizzas, we head to the mini golf course. Most of Alleghany High seems to be there already. Unless someone’s throwing a party, evening entertainment is scarce. Natalie spots me and heads over with a group of fellow cheerleaders in tow.
“Now I remember why we’re friends, Cole,” Charlie comments as the girls stroll toward us. “You’re a total hot chick magnet.”
“Haven’t seen much of you this summer, Weston.” Natalie gives me a sultry smile, and for once, it doesn’t have any effect on me. Instead, I mentally add her dimple-less expression to the ever-growing list of things that make me think of Maeve Stevens, right after cola and pink lace.
“I’ve been around,” I respond.
“He’s been training,” Chris pipes in.
“Good. You’re going to make my job easy this season, right Weston?”
Adam rolls his eyes as she copies his line, and I choke back a laugh.
“I sure hope so.” I step away from her to grab my ball and club from the window.
Natalie and a couple of other cheerleaders join our game, which means it proceeds at a snail’s pace. Natalie brushes against me every time it’s her turn, and I get a mixture of amused and envious looks from the guys every time she does.
We finally reach the final hole, and it takes me three attempts to sink the ball into the tiny opening. I step aside to let Adam go next.
I lean against the fake stone tunnel we just emerged from, and pull my phone from my pocket, scanning the notifications on the screen. Nothing from her. I tuck the phone away, only to pull it out again a few seconds later. After another minute of hesitation, I text Maeve.What’s your best mini golf score?
Minus two of whatever you managed, she responds immediately. I feel a wide grin stretch across my face.
Why two?I reply.
One allows for a margin of error and I thought you’d think I was too overconfident if I said threeMaeve sends back.
Margin of error? Are you doing your prep class right now?I ask.
Maybeis her first response. A minute later,Yes.
I sendNerdback, and she doesn’t reply.
We’ve never had an elongated conversation over text before, and I didn’t realize just how much I rely upon seeing her expressive eyes to know what she’s thinking.I’m almost done here, I finally add.We could meet up after, if you want?
Three dots appear and then disappear twice.
I’ve got a lot of packing to do,is how Maeve finally responds. I’m about to slip the phone back into my pocket when the indication she’s typing appears again.And I don’t need any pity invites.