“Really?”
“Really,” Danielle confirms. “You were great—Dad should let you play.”
Tears prick at my eyes, mingling with the sweat crowding my lash line. Danielle squeezes my hand. “We have a plan to convince him.”
“Dani’s making enchiladas,” Heather says proudly, beaming at my sister. Literally the only thing Danielle has ever learned to cook is enchiladas, and somehow they’ve become Dad’s favorite food. If he had a choice of a last meal, that would be it.
A game-day glare slides across Danielle’s face. “And I don’t know this quarterback boy of yours, but if he can’t convince Dad you should play football, you better believe I will.”
“So…” I say, trying to add it all together. “We’re going to lull him into complacency with cheese and enchilada sauce and then attack?”
Danielle’s face breaks into a grin that is seven shades of wicked. “Exactly.”
Sunday afternoon, Danielle’s enchilada sauce is simmering and Dad’s texted Mom to confirm he’ll be home for dinner. He’s missed family dinner night before for a case, but the combination of enchiladas and “Grey what’s his name” is apparently worth pulling strings to get a night off.
Nerves flutter in my stomach, and I have nothing to do. I set the table, including an extra place for Grey, furnished with the rolling chair from Danielle’s desk. I fixed my makeup. Cleaned my half of my and Ryan’s room. Evenwashed my jersey and game-day tights, because there’s no way in hell I’m returning something grass-stained and nasty.
Finally, around four, the doorbell rings. I jump, thinking it might be Grey, over early. But I know the car in the driveway—Addie.
Ryan answers the door and calls my name before scurrying away. When I see her, it’s clear why he’s so quick to duck for cover. My best friend’s face is puckered into a sour-lemon expression, eyes ablaze, her long arms crossed tightly over her chest.
“Where thehellhave you been?”
I pull the door closed and give her an apologetic smile, which only makes her launch into another assault rather than letting me answer.
“I have things totellyou, O-Rod, and you go all Casper on me and freakingvanish. You’re my best friend—there should never be any vanishing. Ever. Especially whenboysare involved. There’s a code about that, I swear.You broke the code.”
Addie wants to be a DA like her mom. They’re both hella good at making an argument and I totally gave her all the material in the world to eviscerate me. I automatically feel like an asshole, and I am, because my vanishing was a symptom of my lying and just… ughhhhh. “I’m sorry! I’m grounded. No phone, computer, or car until tomorrow.”This softens her face. I snag her wrist. “What did I miss?” I arch a brow. “Nick?”
At this, she squeezes her eyes shut, face lighting with a smile before they flash back open, all her anger gone. “Yes, Nick.I have so much to tell you—wait, can I tell you?” She glances at the house behind me.
I shrug. “You’re probably the one person my parents don’t care about when it comes to me breaking my grounding sentence. Yes, please, tell me everything!”
“Wait—first, what happened? I mean, why are you grounded?”
“Football,” I say grimly.
Addie’s eyes go wide. “The form?”
“Yep. Never got it signed. Never told them. Dad found out from his boss, who was at the game.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Exactly.”
“So are youjustgrounded or…?” She trails off, but I know exactly what she’s most worried about.
“Off the team. No more football.”
“But… but you’re good. Butsoftball. But Grey—wait, what happened with Grey? Does he know? Does his mom know?”
“He knows, so I’m sure she knows, and, by tomorrow morning, the whole freaking school will know.”
Tears sting Addie’s eyes. God, I don’t deserve her. “I’mso sorry. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have marched over here. I’m so—”
“It’s fine,” I say quickly. “Grey’s coming to dinner tonight to help convince Dad. Danielle’s even in support of me playing.”
“He’s coming to dinner? On a Sunday? To confront Cop Dad?” Addie’s eyes grow wider with each building question. “He must really like you.”
