Still, I wished for more.
And I thought I always would.
***
“Think fast!”
I looked up in time for Ricky to toss a can of Coca-Cola my way. I grabbed it swiftly and turned the cold aluminum over in my hand with a look of wonder spreading over my face.
I hardly ever got to drink soda. Only when I snuck over to Ricky’s house, which wasn’t often. Maybe once every couple of months, if that. I wished it could be more frequent—I loved being at Ricky’s house—but I had to be careful. I couldn’t let Dad suspect anything. He’d never allow me to leave the house again.
“Thanks, man,” I said, popping the tab.
I relished the hiss of the released carbonation as I lifted the drink to my lips. Then, after I took a sip, I held it in my mouth for a moment, savoring the sweetness and letting the sugar coat my teeth and tongue.
Ricky laughed as he plopped down next to me on the cafeteria bench. “You are so weird,” he said lightheartedly.
I laughed with him, even as embarrassment warmed my cheeks.
“So, Molly and I are gonna go hang out at McDonald’s after school,” he said.
Molly was Ricky’s girlfriend. She was a sophomore and thought she was a real big shot for dating a guy a whole year older than her. I didn’t care for her much, to be honest, but Ricky seemed to like her enough.
I guessed that was how it went when a girl wanted to stare at you all googly-eyed in the hallway.
You settled for whatever you could get.
And I guessed I was a little jealous.
I was jealous of Ricky often … but I didn’t hold that against him.
“Okay,” I said, taking another sip of Coke.
I had already finished my measly peanut butter sandwich, and my stomach growled at the sight of the turkey and cheese sandwich Ricky had pulled out of his backpack, along with two apples, a bag of pretzels, and another can of Coke.
“She’s bringing Laura,” he went on slyly, like he was onto something here.
I slid my gaze over to stare at the side of his head. “Okay,” I drawled again, unsure of where he was going with this.
“And you know what Laura told Molly?”
“I don’t know, but I have a feeling you’re going to tell me.”
He turned to meet my gaze with a huge grin. “She has a littlecrushon you.”
I didn’t know why, but I hadn’t expected that. Girls didn’t like me. They didn’tnoticeme. I was invisible next to the football players and guys with cars.
“Really?”
“Uh-huh,” he said with a smug nod. “Molly said she talks about youall the time.”
“Aboutme? Why?” And why was my voice so damnhighall of a sudden?
“Why?” Ricky mocked with a snort. “God, Max, you know, for such a smart guy, you’re pretty freakin’ dumb sometimes.”
I didn’t say anything to that because, right now, I agreed.
“So …” He smirked and lifted a shoulder in a carefree shrug. “You wanna come?”
