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“Yeah,” I grit through my locked jaw. That was close.
“I mean,” he continues, “this is only the second time you’ve come out with us, and I know it’s because you’re hanging out with her.”
“Aw, have you missed me?” I try to change the topic.
“You wish.” He cracks open the beer. “Seriously, it’s kind of weird that you aren’t hanging out. It’s our senior year, we’re supposed to be out enjoying it.”
“I’m here now, aren’t I? And I haven’t been hanging out with just Sawyer, I’ve been with the whole family. It’s what you do when you suddenly have one.” I finish my beer and toss the empty can in the back of the truck.
“Yeah, I get that,” Ryan says. “But your dad doesn’t really expect you to spend all your free time with the family, does he? I mean, it’s not like you’ll be living under the same roof after this year, so why push the whole family thing anyway?”
“He’s not pushing the family thing, he just doesn’t want us to be strangers since we all live together. And Jen and Sawyer are cool. I don’t mind hanging out with them.”
“The fact that Sawyer’s smoking hot probably doesn’t hurt either.” Ryan smirks before taking a swig.
“You’re really going there?”
“Oh, come on. Sister or not she’s the hottest girl I’ve ever seen. You don’t expect me to believe you haven’t noticed she’s gorgeous?”
“I’m not blind.” Denying it would only draw more scrutiny.
“So, maybe hanging out with her isn’t exactly a hardship.” He elbows me, a sly grin on his face. “Maybe you secretly enjoy it.”
“Not going there.” I warn.
“You don’t have to. I can fill in the blanks myself.”
“That right there is exactly why you can’t date Sawyer.” I point at his chest.
“Fine, let her date some random douche.” He finally takes the hint. “So, if I can’t take Sawyer to the dance, who should I take? Who are you gonna take?”
“No one. I probably won’t even go.” I vocalize the thought that’s been running through my mind all evening.
“What? You have to go, you can’t miss our last homecoming. Carter’s talking about everyone staying at his house afterward with their dates. Plus, you’ll probably end up being voted the king so you can’t get out of it.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, rubbing my hand over my face. “I don’t want to be the damn king. And I can’t think of a single girl I want to take to the stupid dance.” Actually, I can think of one, but I can never admit that to Ryan or anyone else.
“You gotta find someone. As your best friend I can’t let you miss this.” Ryan’s always been more social than me, and given that it’s our senior year I can’t see him letting this one go.
“I’ll think about it, okay? But can we drop it for tonight? I just want to hang out with my teammates off the field and enjoy our win yesterday.”
“Yeah, okay. But if we’re celebrating, you need another beer.”
“You gonna drive if I have one?” I’m usually the designated driver since I have a one beer limit during the season, but I’m feeling edgy and wouldn’t mind a second.
“Fine.” Ryan hands me the beer he just opened. “Let’s go find the guys.”
By the time we get back to the group the girls have wandered off to find a place to pee, and I take advantage of their absence by reliving our last game almost play for play. By the time the girls get back we’re so absorbed Jessie doesn’t have an opening to talk to me. It’s exactly the kind of evening I was hoping to have, free of dating drama, and even thoughts of Sawyer since I keep my back toward the group she’s hanging out with.
I feel relaxed for the first time in weeks, right up until it’s time to head out, and Will spots Sawyer wandering around the campground looking sort of confused.
“Yo, Wes. I think your new sister is lost.” I follow the direction of his gaze and see Sawyer wandering the perimeter of the campground. I jog over to her to see what’s up, and the second her eyes meet mine she visibly relaxes.
“I think I need a ride.” Her cheeks turn a bright pink as she speaks.
“Your friends left you?” I demand. She flinches, and I immediately regret the way that sounded. It’s not her I’m pissed at. “Sorry. That came out kind of harsh.”
She nods, accepting my apology.
