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I walked back out of the locker room, where Birdie was waiting, and prayed for the day to hurry up and end.
Six
Diego
I pulled my helmet off,letting the wind hit my sweaty scalp, and went to the water table for a drink. The first day back at football practice had been rough. Usually I spent the summers surfing and that kept me in shape, but I’d been on tour with my sister and Jude for three months this summer. I’d worked out, but it wasn’t the same.
I poured myself some water and then dumped a second cup over my head. Some girls giggled in the stands. I grinned up and winked at them. If they were watching, might as well give them a show.
This was my last year in high school, my last year without responsibilities, as my parents liked to remind me. Why not enjoy it?
I turned away from the stands, seeing the cheerleaders practicing off the field. Kenzie waved at me, and I lifted my hand in return.
“Diego,” Coach yelled. “Get your eyes off the skirts and get back on the field.”
I cleared my throat and braced myself to go run more lines.
After another half hour of running, Coach called us to center field and gave us a pep talk, but I only heard half of it. I just wanted to go home and cool off in the water.
When everyone started walking back toward the school, I followed along, walking between my friends Xander and Terrell.
Terrell bumped his helmet against mine and said, “My parents are going to Boston this weekend to see my sister, which means...”
I grinned. “Party?” He didn’t let loose often because his parents were on the stricter side, so we always made good use of their time out of town.
He nodded. “Seaton Beach? Around nine?”
I lifted my chin. “I’ll get the word out.”
Xander said, “I’ll talk to my brother about a keg.” He and his older brother often got into trouble together because their parents were always busy with their family business. Something in software that made ridiculous money, but not enough to buy time with their children.
“Perfect,” Terrell said just as we reached the locker room. I took a quick shower, changed into some shorts and a T-shirt, then went back outside. Kenzie was waiting by my car with her friend Deena.
“Hey, you,” Kenzie said.
“Hey.”
She frowned. “You look rough.”
“Gee thanks,” I said, cracking a smile.
“Do you mind if Dee and I catch a ride with you? My car’s at the shop.”
“Get in,” I said. Her house was just a few blocks from mine, so it wasn’t a huge inconvenience or anything.
Deena crawled into the back seat, answering her phone as she did. “Hey, baby!”
I gave Kenzie a questioning look. “Who is it this time?”
“New college boyfriend,” she explained.
I nodded and focused on the road, pulling out of the school parking lot. Kenzie and Deena were best friends, but I never really got to know Deena well because it seemed like she was always on the phone with a boyfriend. Always an older guy. Always a piece of crap.
“So Greece,” Kenzie said. “I’ve never gotten a worse sunburn in my life.”
I laughed. “Most people come back with a magnet or something.”
“I have that too. But no romance was happening for me there. My parents had me babysitting my little sister practically the whole time. Once the guys saw me with a twelve-year-old, they steered clear of us.”
