Otherwise, this entire journey was a waste of time. Not that I was even sure we should stay. When—if—the others saw us here, it might be awkward. It might—
“Rowe, let’s go.” Nate nodded at the line of people moving toward the small stadium.
“Celeste?” someone called, and my stomach tumbled as I spotted Chloe up ahead. She started moving through the crowd to get to us.
“What are you doing here… with Nate?” She cast him a wary look.
“So, funny story. We thought we’d come and surpri—”
“Wanted to come and support the guys,” Nate said with a shrug.
“Oh.” Her gaze moved to me. “And the two of you came together?”
“Celeste?” Harleigh appeared, frowning. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Maguire,” Nate smirked. “It’s good to see you.”
“What is going on?”
“They came to support the guys,” Chloe explained, suspicion glittering in her eyes. Surely, she didn’t think there was something more going on between me and Nate Miller.
“Let me guess,” Harleigh sighed, pinning Nate with a hard look. “This was your idea.”
“What can I say, Maguire, I am nothing if not predictable.”
“You shouldn’t have—”
“Harleigh,” Chloe said, shooting me an apologetic glance.
My heart sank.
“Fine. Fine.” She conceded. “Just… try to stay out of trouble.”
Nate dragged a finger over his chest. “Cross my heart.”
“Come on, you can line up with us.” She stormed off, clearly annoyed. Nate shrugged again, taking off after her. I couldn’t figure him out. He acted like he didn’t care what anyone thought about him, but if that was true, he wouldn’t be here.
“I’m sorry we didn’t invite you,” Chloe said, breaking the awkward silence.
“Why didn’t you?” I lifted my chin in defiance.
Things were complicated, yes, but we were still friends.
At least, I thought we were.
“I… Harleigh thought…”
“She didn’t want me to come,” I said quietly.
The truth hurt, but I’d expected it. Ever since moving out, Harleigh had started to pull away. She’d promised me it wouldn’t happen, but deep down, I knew it would.
It was ironic really, that my brother, the boy who had been so mean to her in the past, was now part of their circle more than I was.
But as my gaze flickered past Chloe and beyond the cross to the football stadium beyond, I had to wonder if a certain boy inside also had something to do with their sudden cold shoulder.
Zane
“Holy shit,”Kye said, something in the crowd catching his eye.