Page 19 of The Cheerleader

“Come on back to the table and sit with us. You should get to know the guys.” She winks.

I half-laugh. “Sure, but I’m kind of tired, so I’d rather not stay long.”

She nods. A couple of the other girls come over, including Judy.

Judy says, “I’m staying.”

A guy stumbles, almost knocking me against the glass deli case.

“Excuse me. You’re not leaving, are you, pretty girl?”

Liz says his name, but I don’t catch it.

“Soon. It’s been a long day.” We wind our way back to the table, and he follows us.

“Come on,” he slurs. “You gotta have more stamina than that. Work hard, play hard.”

I smile, but I’m not interested. He’s too drunk to take seriously, even if I like his bright blue eyes and lopsided smile with twin dimples.

Judy leans in as we sit. “Watch out. He’s the team’s lady-killer. Notorious for sleeping with every girl he can.”

“It figures. And here I thought I was special.”

Liz laughs, but Judy scrunches her brows together, and I’m not sure if she doesn’t get my sarcasm or if she gets it and disapproves.

Then she pats my back with real sympathy, and I realize she takes me seriously.

“I was kidding,” I murmur because I don’t want to embarrass her. “I’m not interested in him. At least not that way.” I shrug.

Judy nods.

Keith is the only male cheerleader who showed up tonight. Or maybe he was the only one invited. He leans in, a sly smile impressed on his face—it’s the kind that makes you think he’s got a secret joke in his head, and he’s laughing at us all.

“What’s wrong with him?” he points a thumb in the direction of the handsome drunk, asking me loud enough for everyone to hear. “Are you not interested in…” he arches a brow in expectation.

I feel my cheeks go pink instantly because I know what he means, but I’m not going to say it.

Judy says, “Is she not interested in what?”

He laughs and then whispers in her ear loud enough for me to hear. “I’m asking if she’s a lesbian.”

“Wh-What?” Judy sputters, clearly shocked at the suggestion.

I’m over my embarrassment because I can sense the reason for Keith’s joking about such a thing might have more to do with his inclinations than mine.

Smiling at him, I say, “I’m not interested in guys right now because I need to figure my life out. But just wait until I’m ready. I’ll be a hell of a lot more than interested.” I wiggle my brows and he laughs.

“Of course,” Judy says. “When the right guy comes along.”

Before Keith can make a wiseass remark to that, because I know he will, I jump in. “Let’s talk about Keith’s love life, not mine. It’s probably a lot more interesting.”

“No, we—” Judy says, but I quiet her with a wink. I’m not sure she gets the drift—I mean about Keith’s inclinations—but she nods and goes along with me, looking happy to be included in an inside joke of some kind, even if she doesn’t get it.

Having heard everything while she seemed to be listening to some guy I don’t know, Liz turns to me with a wide grin. “Keith’s love life interesting? You don’t say?” Keith makes a comically sour face. “I thought your love life was a secret locked down in a vault with no key.”

“It is. For now.” He gives me a friendly elbow. “I’m more interested in the little princess’s love life or lack thereof.”

“Princess? Me? I didn’t think there was any such thing at UConn.”