I hang up with my mother and shove my phone back in my pocket. “I’m really sorry,” I tell him. “My mom is coming to pick me up now.”
“Now?” His face falls. “You really have to go?”
“She’s worried about me walking home alone.”
He wipes his hands on his blue jeans. “I would have walked you.”
I know he would have. Andhismother isn’t sitting around worrying about him walking me home, then walking home himself. Because his mother isn’t crazy likemine.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“It’s okay.”
And then he reaches under the table with his left hand and finds mine. He gives it a squeeze, and then suddenlywe’re holding hands. Oh my God, we’re holding hands! He grins at me, and I grin back. The only thing ruining it a little is that my hand is getting super clammy. I sort of want to pull it away from him and wipe it on my jeans, but I’m not sure how I would explain that one.
“Hey!” One of the other guys on the team is smirking at Liam. “Cass! What are you doing under the table? Hands where we can see them, buddy!”
Liam laughs, but his ears color slightly and he pulls his hand away from mine. My heart sinks in my chest, and at that moment, my mom texts me that she’s outside and I better get my butt out there ASAP.
“I gotta go,” I say to Liam.
He chews on his lip. “What if I tell her I’ll walk you home?”
“She’s outside. I really gotta go.”
“Okay.” He stands up so I can get out of the booth. He rubs at the back of his neck. “I’m glad you came.”
I smile up at him. “Me too.”
All his friends from track are staring at us. He ducks down his head and smiles self-consciously. “Maybeanother time then?”
I nod, trying not to let on how disappointed I feel right now. He’s not even asking me out for another night. But it’s not like we’re never going to see each other again. We’ve got math class together tomorrow. It’s my favorite class of the day now, and I don’t even like math. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you,” he says.
I wait one more beat, hoping he’ll change his mind and lean in to kiss me, or at least suggest going out again. But he doesn’t.
Chapter Fourteen
OLIVIA
Iam so mad at my mom.
I was havingsucha great time with Liam. He’s, like, the first boy I’ve ever had a big crush on. And he actually seems to like me back. And she ruined it. For no reason!
“Are you going to give me the silent treatment the whole way home?” Mom asks as she turns onto Maple Street.
I fold my arms across my chest. “You know Liam asked me specifically to come tonight.”
“And he’ll ask you again.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
“I’m sure he won’t be discouraged that easily.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Give me a little bit of credit, Olivia. Givehima little bit of credit.”
