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“That was Sawyer’s mess,” I chimed in, not wanting Cullen to get the blame. “The boys were so tired after yesterday’s game.”
“Yes, I bet,” Dad said. “It was a very physical game.”
“The hot tub is good for recovery” I said directly to Coach, like I was the head sports trainer and an expert in the subject. “Really good for their sore muscles.”
Coach nodded but directed a glower at Cullen, and he spoke through gritted teeth. “Come on, son. You had clear instructions.”
“It’s no problem,” Dad said as Cullen picked up his hoodie. “Are you sure you won’t have coffee, Abe? Some breakfast?”
“Dad makes the best pancakes,” I piped up.
“Thank you,” Coach said, “but we’ve got plans. A busy day.”
“Thanks for letting me stay,” Cullen said, looking at Dad but his eyes darted to me, a suppressed smile making my heart flutter.
“Of course, Cullen, you’re welcome anytime,” Dad said with a laugh, “though, I doubt we’ll see much of Sawyer today.”
“Only when he needs food,” I said, giggling to lighten the tension.
Coach didn’t seem to find it amusing, reverting to a gruff, “Let’s go then. Things to do.” I wondered if Coach ever stopped being a coach and became a regular Dad. And whether ‘things to do’ meant a five mile run or a thousand sit ups. My heart was plunging because I knew how Cullen was treated. Though Dad had no idea.
Cullen swooped down to retrieve his swim bag, which was empty because he’d hung his towel and swim shorts out on the line by the hot tub. I was about to remind him, but Coach didn’t seem to be in a mood to wait. Cullen paused by the front door where Coach Mercer was standing like he was a doorman. “See ya, Sierra,” he said, “say bye to Sawyer.”
“See ya,” I fluttered my fingers and smiled. “I will.”
From our kitchen, you could see the driveway where both Cullen and Coach’s cars were parked. As I stacked our hot chocolate cups into the dishwasher, Coach waited for Cullen to drive away before starting his engine.
“That’s odd, isn’t it?” Dad mused, putting the cardboard boxes into the recycling bin. “Cullen had his car. Why did Abe need to come and get him?” I closed the dishwasher door to find Dad looking at me curiously.
“Is Mom at yoga?” I asked.
“Is there something I don’t know?” Dad asked, knowing that I knew full well that Mom had an early morning class every Sunday.
My heart rate lifted—there were several things Dad didn’t know, including that Cullen and I had kissed. Butnobodyknew about that.
“Is Cullen on a curfew?” Dad asked.
“I don’t think so,” I said. “It’s just that Coach told the team no parties. The boys weren’t supposed to go out.”
“Bit harsh,” Dad said, somewhat bemused. “So, he came over for the hot tub and fell asleep on the couch? Doesn’t seem like a big deal.”
“The final is a week away,” I said, my heart now jumping all over the place.
I’d wanted to sit in the hot tub and eat marshmallows.That’s why Cullen had come over—to bring me marshmallows.
An unease made me shudder at the prospect that Cullen was going to be in trouble because of me.
––––––––
Iheated up the pancakes, drizzled them in maple syrup and banana slices just the way Sawyer liked them, and I knocked on his bedroom door.
“Yeah?”
I opened it, poked my head in and asked, “Want some pancakes?” Well, Sawyer never turned down food, so I didn’t wait for an answer, barging right on in, stumbling on some clothing on the floor. “We kept you some.”
“Cool. Thanks.” Sawyer’s room was in darkness, but he’d been scrolling on his phone. I switched on the light, frowning to see his floor covered in clothes and towels and his backpack and stuff that shouldn’t be there. No wonder he always kept his door closed. He propped up his pillows and sat up and rested the plate on his bed cover.
“Did you hear Coach earlier?” I lowered my voice. “He came to get Cullen.”
