Page 51 of Take Her On

“Oh, god,” she groaned. “Why does that statement fill me with such dread?”

The lights changed to green, and Jamie sped off, forcing Maya back into her seat. She turned the music down and glanced at her, eyes glinting with mischief.

“What is going on in that big, inflated head of yours?”

Maya’s uncertain expression—a mix of confusion and fear—made Jamie belly laugh. When Maya joined in, it only made her laugh harder. When she was around Maya, it felt like all her troubles from last year never happened. Like she was floating on clouds where nothing could touch her. She needed more of that in her life.

“Sorry.” She waved her hand. “I think the sugar is getting to me. It’s not even funny. I’m being deadly serious.”

“Now that makes it sound like a real hoot.”

Jamie snorted, hunching her shoulders, trying to swallow her laughter.

“You’re so weird. Do you know that?” Maya shook her head.

“I know, but all the best people are.”

“And there she is, with her big head again.”

Jamie blew out a breath, mounting the car on the curb outside her house. She’d been driving on autopilot and couldn’t believe they were home already.

“A deal,” she began, spinning to face Maya. “You show me how you dance, and I’ll show you how to drive.”

Maya raised an eyebrow. “You want to teach me to drive?”

“Yep.”

“Why?”

“’Cos I think you’ll do whatever you can to beat me and prove me wrong. Right?” Her mouth quirked. “And I think you’ll be both a terrible driver and an awkward dancer.”

Maya squeezed her lips together. Jamie was right; she was very competitive. Losing wasn’t in her nature—look how badly she despised Jamie for beating her.

“I thought you liked driving me around,” she said.

“I do,” Jamie said, a little too quickly. “But this way is more fun. You get something, and I get something and, selfishly, it gives us a reason to spend time together. That’s a very smooth play from me.”

Maya laughed—a real laugh. “As smooth as saying your reasons out loud?”

Jamie nodded, unable to stop the grin from spreading over her face. “Exactly. Very smooth.”

“You don’t even make sense half of the time.”

“I think you like that too. You find my qualities charming.”

Their eyes met, and when Maya didn’t deny it, a fire fanned in Jamie’s chest. She stuck out her hand. “So, do we have a deal?”

Chapter Fifteen

Maya

It was strange how easily life could contort itself into a new normal. Back into classes, back into hanging out with Hannah and Maddie, and back into football—despite all the other things churning in the background.

Her friends were so cute. They’d brought Grandpa a “Get Well Soon” card and a packet of Werther’s. She didn’t know if he’d be able to have the toffees so soon—it might pose a choking hazard, and he was still recovering in the rehab centre—but it was a thoughtful gesture. Her mum was still hovering around at home too, fussing over Grandma, obsessively cleaning everything. It felt harsh to say it, but Maya preferred it when her mum was away. She and Grandma had learned to cope; it threw them off balance when her mum tried to assert herself where there wasn’t any room.

Her mum chauffeuring them back and forth to see Grandpa was helpful, though. But driving was another thing Maya hoped to make her own stamp on—starting with her lesson with Jamie tonight.

First, she had her responsibilities as captain to fulfil.