Until my lungs are gasping for air and I’m drenched with enough sweat, I’ll have to take another shower. I finally slow to a walk, resting my forearms across my head to open up my lungs.
I feel better. My problems are all still there—Maeve, football, my parents, college—but I feel like I put some distance between myself and them. They’re not smothering me anymore.
I halt on the sidewalk when I reach Natalie’s house, and then start up her paved walk. I ring the doorbell, and her mother answers.
“Oh, hello, Weston,” she greets, giving me a smile. “It’s lovely to see you. Such a disappointment about the game last night, but I have no doubt you’ll beat them whenever the game is rescheduled.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Jacobs,” I reply. It’s eerie, how happy and normal she appears the few times I’ve been to their house. According to Natalie, it’s because her father is home on the weekends. “Is Natalie here?”
“Yes, she is,” she replies. “One moment.” Mrs. Jacobs steps back from the open door, and I hear her call Natalie’s name.
Natalie appears a couple of minutes later.
“Hey,” she greets, studying me curiously.
“Hey,” I respond. “Can we talk for a minute?”
“Sure.” Natalie steps outside of her house, closing the door behind her. I follow her over to the porch swing and take a seat next to her.
“I’m sorry. About last night. Kissing you.”
“Why?”
“Why am I apologizing?”
Natalie rolls her eyes. “Why did you kiss me, Weston? After making it very clear we were over.”
“I was drunk, and I was having a bad day,” I admit to her.
“I already knew both those things. You were crushing cans of beer like it was water, and the whole squad heard you barking orders on the field. There was something else going on. Is it your parents?”
It would be easy. So, so easy to blame this on them. But I can’t. “No. I mean, they won’t be there next week for the make-up, which sucks, but that’s not why I kissed you.” Natalie doesn’t say anything, but she keeps looking at me expectantly. I cave. “I was trying to make another girl jealous. Or get revenge, maybe? I don’t know. I was in a bad place. Still am, to be honest.”
Natalie looks stunned. “You were trying to make another girl jealous? There’s a girl you like? Have actual feelings for?” Her voice grows more incredulous with each question.
“Yup.”
“Who is it?” Natalie asks.
“It doesn’t matter. We’re over. Whatever was between us—well, it’s long gone.” I think.
I can tell Natalie wants to ask more questions. Her eyes are brimming with them, but she doesn’t.
“I’ve got to go. We’ve got a team meeting in a bit. I just wanted to clear the air. Make sure we’re still good.”
Natalie snorts. “I’m not pining over you, Weston. I mean, yeah, if you were interested, I wouldn’t turn you down, but we’re good. I won’t be crying myself to sleep over your mystery girl.”
I huff out a laugh and stand. “Okay. Bye, Natalie.”
“See you, Weston.”
I turn and head back down her walk. After my talk with Natalie, one problem is already close to catching back up to me.
I can’t outrun Maeve Stevens forever.
Probably because I don’t really want to.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE