“I’ve known both you boys for so long, I know that if you got in trouble, it was probably your idea in the first place.” She pointed a finger at Christian.
“Oh, please tell me more,” Maizie said.
“This one time, when the boys were about twelve, I found them Saran Wrapping Jayce’s little brother to the light pole when it was freezing outside.” His mom said. “I didn’t know until my neighbor came to ask me if I was aware of what was going on outside.”
“What?” Maizie looked at him in shock and amusement.
“Okay, that was my idea. But Cooper thought it was fun.” Christian scratched the back of his neck.
“His mom didn’t find it funny,” Christian’s mom said sternly.
“And somehow, I was the one who got in trouble,” Jayce cut in.
“Because you’re a terrible actor. It must run in the family.” Christian grinned remembering the grad dance.
Maizie’s cheeks turned red, and she looked away.
“I’m going to go get Emi,” his mom said and went back into the house with the bandana.
“I guess you’ve always been a bad influence,” Maizie said, barely loud enough for him to hear.
A dagger skimmed his heart. “What?”
“Nothing, there’s your mom,” Maizie said quickly.
“Why can’t I see?” Emi grappled with Christian’s arm. When they lifted her, she let go of Maizie and climbed onto Christian’s shoulders like a monkey.
“You weren’t supposed to do that,” he chuckled, gently putting her on the ground.
“You weren’t supposed to lift me a million feet into the sky!” she exaggerated and ran to her mom.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Maizie watching him, but she looked away quickly, and his heart plummeted. Dang it, Maizie. How could she affect him so much with one look?
“I’ll get Caroline,” Maizie said and walked away. It took way too long for them to return, but when they did, Maizie was pushing Caroline forward instead of leading her.
He hardly stopped the chuckle from escaping.
“Oh, good. There you are.” Caroline gripped Christian’s shoulder. She barely touched Maizie as they lifted her only four inches off the ground.
“Ahhh!” Caroline screamed as Jayce and Hugh wiggled the board, and he and Maizie tried to drop away from her. But Caroline refused to let go of his shoulder.
“Let go,” Jayce said. “You’ve got it.”
“No!” she screeched. Instead of letting go, she jumped in Christian’s direction, landing on him with a crash. Her knee connected with his face, sending searing pain through his cheekbone. He moaned and tried to move, but it was impossible with Caroline on top of him.
“Oh no, are you okay?” Caroline ripped off the blindfold and leaned over his face.
“Yeah,” he said, still holding his throbbing face.
“Let me see.” She pulled his hand away, still lying on top of him.
“Oh my gosh, I think I gave you a black eye,” Caroline gasped.
“He deserves that one,” Jayce said, and Hugh laughed. Maizie was silent. Too silent. He needed to get up.
He tried to wriggle out from under Caroline to look for her, but Caroline pushed him back down.
“I’m sorry,” Caroline said but made no move to get off of him.
