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“And…right on cue. Here come the groupies,” Eric laughs, then shakes his head.
All the girls in the booth nearest the door have vacated their spot, approaching the team with hair flips and flirty smiles. They’re the girls I would look ridiculous ever trying to imitate. The girls I spent most of high school thinking Caleb would go for. Always knowing what to do and say and wear. Confident.Cool.
“They’re probably asking where Caleb Winters is,” Amanda comments with a scoff.
My eyes fly to her.
“Yet youalsonoticed he’s not here,” Eric comments, a smile twisting his lips up.
Amanda glances at me. I must look confused. “Caleb Winters is a senior on the baseball team. He pitches, I think?” She glances at Eric, who shrugs. “Throws the ball. Whatever. I don’t go for the jock type, but he’s stupid hot. And never hooks up with anyone, so getting his attention is kind of a challenge. If he took one look at me and decided to pay attention to anything except baseball… I’m not saying I would take him up on it, but—”
“But you would round some bases,” Abby interrupts, laughing.
Joe and Eric both roll their eyes. But I would bet the large amount of money I’m now in possession of that neither of them are anywhere near as uncomfortable as I am.
I assumed Clarkson was too large for everyone to know who Caleb was. I assumed the social structure was like Landry High’s, where certain groups kept separate and didn’t pay each other much attention.
Wrong on both counts.
I take a bite of pizza to avoid having to contribute to the conversation.
I should tell them who the boyfriend I mentioned earlier is. If we become friends, which I’m hoping we will be, they’ll find out eventually.
But I have no idea how to say anything now, without it being incredibly awkward. Maybe I should wait until after we’re eating. I can laugh it off right before I leave. If I say something right now, we’ll have to spend the rest of lunch in the aftermath of Amanda mentioning she’s thought about having sex with Caleb. It sounds like she’s never even talked to him. But still, it’s weird. For me. And for her, if she knew I had sex with him a few hours ago.
“Hey, Lennon.” I glance up from my pizza. Garrett is walking by.
“Hey, Garrett,” I respond. I can’t ignore him, and I don’t want to. He didn’t have to acknowledge me, and the fact he did makes me feel more welcome.
“Lennon,” Drew greets as he passes by next, shooting me a quick grin before he follows Garrett.
“Hi, Drew,” I reply.
Two of the girls with them glance back at me, looking confused. More players pass by. And every single one of them greets me by name. Even the ones whose namesIdon’t know. Or remember, I guess. I must have met them all last night.
The four people I’m sitting with are all staring at me with wide eyes, by the time the baseball team has all passed by. Honestly, they’re not the only ones. People at other tables are staring too.
“Does your dad coach the baseball team or something?” Amanda laughs. “You’re on a first name basis with all the players?”
I pick at my crust. “I barely know them.”
“You barely know them?” Both of Eric’s eyebrows are raised. “It seems like they know you.”
“Just from the party last night,” I reply. “Aside from Garrett and Drew, that was the first time I met most of them.”
“You went to the baseball party last night?” Abby leans forward. “I’m so jealous. They’re super secretive. Invite only. I only find out about them days later. How did you know there was one last night?”
Awkward or not, I have to tell them now. I toss a burned bit of crust to the side, trying to decide what to say.
“Winters!”
I’m the last one at the table to look toward the door. Abby is no longer waiting for an answer. She’s focused on Caleb entering the pizza place with Elliot right behind him.
“That’s Caleb Winters,” Amanda whispers to me.
I nod in response, watching Caleb say something to Elliot. If this wasn’t so weird, I’d find it funny.
I know the exact second Caleb spots me. I haven’t texted him since I thanked him for leaving his keys. Didn’t tell him I was coming here after the documentary.
