I turn around just as the locker room door slams closed. My heart dive-bombs into my stomach. “Was that Dacen?” My voice is hoarse.
I close my eyes and grit my teeth when Tyler answers. “I think so.”
God damn it.
The door to Coach’s office opens and he sticks his head out. “Oh good, I thought I heard you both. Can you come here for a minute?”
No, I can’t come here for a minute. I do not have time for this shit. I grumble under my breath and follow Tyler into Coach’s office. We sit down at the two chairs across from his desk. There are bags of equipment on the floor and all he has on his desk is a first aid kit, a whistle, and a few folders. He pushes one toward each of us.
“What’s this?” I pick up the folder and leaf through it, while Tyler does the same with his.
“It’s information about a summer camp I think would benefit the two of you leading into your freshman year. It’ll look good that you’ve gone, and will of course help you continue to improve.”
Tyler flips through the pages and nods. “Cool, thanks. I’ll show it to my dad tonight.”
I stare down at the pages and run my eyes over the words but don’t absorb any of the information.
“Ryne?”
I look up at Coach. “Um, yeah, thanks. I’ll look it over later.” I shut the folder and set it back on the desk. Coach eyes me as I slip out of the chair and stand. “I gotta go. I need to pick up my sister on my way home.”
“Ryne?” Coach repeats as I start to leave the room. He nods down at the desk when I turn around. Right. The folder. I swipe it off the desk and head out.
38
Dacen
Alittle over a week later I sit in study hall flipping through some notes in my planner. I took those personality tests Mr. Martin showed me. Some of the suggested careers were stupid. Not stupid jobs, but really not a fit for me at all. No, I don’t want to be a politician, a flight attendant, or a lawyer. What caught my eye was the suggestion around event planning and fundraising. I must be the world’s biggest idiot for not thinking of something like that on my own. I mean, I thrive on organization. I eat, sleep, and breathe checklists and plans and keeping myself organized. Putting my skills to use to help other people is perfect. I could slap myself upside the head for not coming to this conclusion sooner. It’s exciting and I can’t wait to research it more. I want to tell Ryne about it. I think he’ll laugh—good-naturedly—and tease me about my planning obsession. Well, maybe like a week ago he’d have laughed.
Things have gotten weird between us ever since I asked him if we went on a date. It must have really freaked him out, I don’t know, because shortly afterward I overheard his conversation with Tyler, downgrading me to fuck buddy status. I mean, seriously? A fuck buddy? I know he’s got some weird issue with dating but to call me just a fuck buddy? It was harsh. He’s been in some kind of funk since then, more than his normal moodiness. He won’t talk about it no matter how many times or different ways I ask. It’s frustrating. His constant refusal to acknowledge that we’re dating and have been for a while now is also frustrating. I don’t get it. I can’t decide if he’s that dense or he truly doesn’t want it and doesn’t see things like that between us. I don’t know anymore. Maybe I really am an idiot and this is all one-sided, namely Dacen-sided.
When school’s finally over for the day, I stop at my locker to swap out my books, grabbing what I need for homework tonight. Ryne isn’t waiting for me here like usual. I frown as I shove my books into my bag and zip it closed. I try not to let it bother me as I head to the locker room for practice, but that’s always easier said than done.
“Hey, Dacen.” I spin around and Tyler jogs down the hallway to catch up with me. He smiles when we start walking again. “How’s it going?”
I shrug. “Okay, I guess. You?”
“I’m good. You sure you’re okay?”
I nod and glance at him. He’s still smiling but his forehead is creased with concern. “Yeah, definitely. Have you seen Ryne this afternoon? He seems kind of off today.”
Tyler laughs lightly. “I’m sure the asshole is around somewhere. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He’s probably still hungover from this weekend.”
“What was this weekend?” I glance at Tyler again and now he’s definitely frowning.
“His birthday was Saturday and we all got a little trashed. Not the best decision but whatever. You only turn eighteen once, I say.”
I stop in my tracks. Ryne’s birthday was this weekend? I had absolutely no idea. We even had breakfast together and he didn’t mention it. Tyler turns around with his brows raised when I still don’t move. “I, uh, forgot something in my locker. You go ahead.” I pivot around on my heel and walk away in the other direction. When I round the corner I crash into Ryne.
“Whoa there.” He grabs my arms and steadies us both. Once he gets a look at my expression he drops my arms immediately. “What’s up with you?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me your birthday was Saturday.”
He presses his lips into a firm line and shoves his hands in his pockets. “You didn’t tell me when it was yours.”
I uncross my arms and ball my hands into tight fists at my sides. “Yeah, but that was before.”
His brows pinch together and he swallows hard. “Before what?”
