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Spencer’s eyes widened. “You knew her?”
“I hated her! She beat me out for this scholarship?—”
“Me too!” Spencer pumped our linked fists. “We were neck-and-neck for valedictorian, and I thought I had it, but then she won that debate prize, and?—”
“That was my scholarship!”
We screamed at each other, and half-collapsed laughing. He kissed me again, and it felt good, so good, giggles still bursting out through our joined lips. When our laughter died out, we were still clumped together, holding each other up, weak-kneed with mirth.
“I didn’t know you were smart,” I said. “I mean, not that smart. Valedictorian smart, or almost, whatever.”
“Oh, yeah. Huge nerd.” Spencer flashed me a grin. “Mom made me study, plus if I hadn’t hit my growth spurt, I’d have had zero chance of a sports scholarship.” Our eyes met, and he tipped me a wink. “So, yeah. We’d have hated each other. I’d say it’s lucky we met when we did.”
I cuddled up close to him as a cool breeze blew in. Spencer felt me shiver and draped his jacket around me. A sudden pang hit me, a bolt through my heart — if I went for that New York job, I’d leave all this behind me. All of my memories, my childhood, my home. I might not see these streets again, or the zoo, or that goose. Or Spencer, maybe. I’d be leaving him too.
“Hey. You okay?” Spencer drew me in closer. “It’s getting cold out here. Let’s find somewhere to eat.”
I nodded and we headed back for his truck, but I couldn’t help stealing one last glance behind us, at the spot where the swings were, where Spencer had fallen. I had my own memories of that park, that swing set — skinned knees, dropped ice creams, little-kid heartbreak. This whole town was like that, full of my past, but was it the memories that hurt to move on from? I’d still have those wherever I went. What I wouldn’t have was Spencer, if I left this place.
He opened my door for me and our eyes met. His smile was bright, warm, and I smiled back.
Was it this place that felt so much like home, or was it Spencer?
I pushed the thought aside. That wasn’t our agreement. We were friends, was all, with some sweet benefits — but once those were done with, we’d still be friends. I wouldn’t lose that, wherever life took me.
So why did it hurt so much when I thought of saying goodbye?
CHAPTER 15
SPENCER
Ispent my first game back like I’d told Izzy, mostly sidelined. Riding the bench. My leg felt just fine, and I told Coach as much, but he didn’t want to hear it. He brushed me aside. A small, spiteful part of me hoped it would be a disaster, that without me to carry them the Ice Bears would founder. But I cheered as loud as anyone when that didn’t happen. I ended up getting just five minutes’ play, a quick little cameo near the end of the game.
And, yeah, yeah, that’s Nash. That’s Nash on the ice. He’s looking, uh, whoa! He’s right in the action! He’s got the puck and he’s moving, he’s— And it’s Rodriguez, HE SCORES! That’s a nice assist for Nash his first game back, looks like he’s still got it, and Rodriguez is on fire.
I scored one more assist in those frantic five minutes, and then I was back warming the bench. My sour mood had sweetened, and I realized I’d been worried. Not that I’d stay benched the rest of the season, but that my magic would somehow be gone. Knocked out of me, maybe, by the blow to the head. But, no, of course not. My magic was Izzy. She was my rabbit’s foot, and she was watching at home. Texting me, maybe, to tell me good job.
The game finished up six-two for the Ice Bears, and I ducked Dan’s invitation to go out with the team. Izzy had texted to tell me congrats, and that goose from the zoo could eat its heart out.
“What’s so funny?” said Dan, trying to peek at my phone.
“Nothing, just?—”
“It’s his girlfriend,” said Enrique. “What did I say? That’s why he’s ditching us, to go see his girl.”
I rolled my eyes and jammed my phone in my bag. But I didn’t deny I was running to see Izzy. She wasn’t my girl — that wasn’t our deal — but it felt good, in the moment, to think of her that way. Heading home to my girl, who wouldn’t want that?
I rolled in to find Izzy hunched over her laptop, working on what looked like a cover letter. Reading over her shoulder, I caught words like self-starter, motivated, experienced. Good fit for your team. When she heard me behind her, she looked up. She smiled, closed her laptop, and pushed it away.
“Great game,” she said. “You were on fire out there.”
“For all of five minutes.” I frowned over her shoulder at the lid of her laptop. Who was that letter for? That job in New York? If they hired her, how soon —
“You showed them you’re ready. It’ll get better from here.” She leaned up and kissed me, but just a quick peck. When I tried to hold onto her, she squirmed away. “No, we can’t. Leon’ll catch us.”
“Leon? He’s here?” I squinted around.
“He’ll be here,” said Izzy. “He’s on his way. You know that party he had?”
