I think back to last year and try to picture who Grace sat with at games. The only person I remember seeing next to her that she knew was her roommate Peyton.
“Huh, I must have missed her in the stands last year.”
“Nah, you didn’t miss anything. She only came to one game, I think.”
“Ah, that makes sense. That’s cool that your sister goes here, though.”
Clay smiles. “Yeah, she’s the best.”
“What about you, Cooper? You got any sisters locked away?” Beckett asks.
“No, and if I did, I would make sure she would stay far away from you,” I quip.
Beckett clutches his chest as if I wounded him, making all the guys laugh.
Shit. I didn’t realize how much I missed the banter that is thrown back and forth in a locker room. Last year and so far this year, I’ve kept my head down and stuck to myself. I didn’t make friends with anyone on the team and saw them as competition. I thought they were beneath me.
Just another way I fucked up, and I didn’t even know it.
A feeling of melancholy fills me. I could have had this the entire time I’ve been here, but I let my pride and cockiness get in the way. I’ve made so many mistakes since I’ve come here, I don’t know how I’ll fix them. I don’t know if there is a way to make it right.
“Hey man, are you okay?”
I look over and see Wyatt looking at me with concern. The guy doesn’t know me, and I honestly don’t know if he’s ever said more than a handful of words to me before. I can’t help but wonder what his story is. I know he’s friends with Clay and lives with him, but that’s it.
“Yeah, man, I’m good,” I lie.
I might not be good right now, but I will be.
seven
“You look hot. Where are you off to looking like a hussy?” Peyton jokes.
My stomach drops as I smooth out my dress again. “Does it look like I’m trying too hard?” I turn to look at her.
She frowns. “I was joking. You look gorgeous. Why are you so nervous?”
“I have a date,” I admit softly.
“Oh my goodness. My little girl is all grown up. Who is this boy? He knows I have no qualms about wearing orange, right?”
I roll my eyes at her. “I’m not telling you. I’ll let you know when I know if he’s worth it. As for wearing orange, how about not threatening murder? I’d rather you were here with me than in jail.”
“Fair enough. Are you meeting him somewhere?” she asks.
I shake my head. “He’s picking me up.”
“So he’s not a freshman if he has a car. Does he go to college here?”
“Yes, Mom. He goes to school here. I have a copy of his ID that I have uploaded into my cloud in case anything were to happen to me. I would send it to you or Grace, but you psychopaths would do a deep dive on the dude that would put the FBI to shame.”
She scoffs. “Grace would be so offended.”
I give her a look. “Fine, not Grace, but you would know about the freckle on his left butt cheek that he had when he was a baby before he picked me up for our date.”
“How do you know about it? Have you given this boy your virtue? I’m scandalized.” Her hand lands on her chest.
“I’m leaving now. You’re being ridiculous.”
