An hour later, Hannah and I are in the back seat of Ethan’s car, Colin in the front passenger seat.
“He didn’t tell you anything?” I ask Ethan incredulously.
Ethan chuckles. “You act like we’re friends. We only speak to Nolan now because of you guys.”
I hate the elitist tone Ethan paints of Nolan. “You’re teammates.”
Ethan scoffs. “He’s also first string. We’re second-string sophomores, and neither of us will ever play with him, and wouldn’t even if we were first-string.”
“Nolan’s only ever been nice anytime I’ve been around him,” Hannah says.
“Yeah, aren’t we going out tonight because of him…?” I ask.
Neither one responds, and for a minute I want to carry this out further, make them take the insinuation back or prove it.
Their words are a passenger in my thoughts as we continue driving.
My phone vibrates in my purse, and I reach for it, expecting to see something from Nolan, but discover a text from Lanie.
Lanie: How are you? How’s your ankle?
Me: Good as new. I’m on my way to another Camden tradition.
Lanie: Another chance at barfing?
Me: I hope not.
Lanie: Are you going with Nolan?
Me: Hannah.
Me: Hannah and the guy she’s dating (Ethan) and his friend Colin. NOT a double date.
Lanie: Does Nolan know?
Me: Know what?
Lanie: That he has competition.
Me: You have taken things so far out of context.
Lanie: Post a pic on your socials. Motivation does wonders for the male ego.
Me: Why are you making me sound so desperate?
Lanie: Is Colin cute?
Me: Not like that.
Lanie: Don’t worry. I’ll get all the details out of you when you come home for Christmas.
Me: Keep your hopes and expectations low.
Lanie: For my little sister? No way.
As we park, I mentally sort through the mess of clues Nolan has given me. “Does the hint breakfast food mean anything to you guys?” I ask.
“Maybe we’re going to have to eat again?” Colin asks.