Page 11 of I'm Gonna Get You Back
“I don’t remember asking for your advice,” I huffed.
“Fair enough.” A pause. “But I’m still right.”
I pursed my lips, trying not to laugh again. “You know, you’re a little infuriating.”
What I really meant was “fascinating.” I itched for my camera, wishing I could train it on him again.
“So are you.” He finally smiled, and my god it was worse than I’d imagined. It was warm and a little self-conscious.Shy, I concluded immediately. He was confident but alsoshy.
Time to go.
My feet squelched in my shoes as we walked back to the trailhead near the parking lot. Most of the team had cleared out already, but Coach watched us pointedly as we approached.
He gave Reid a disappointed once-over then said, “Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean you can slack on your training.”
“Dad, she—”
“We’ll talk about it later. Go stretch. You too, Suarez.”
When we were out of earshot from his dad, I said, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”
The anxiety slipped off Reid’s face as he shrugged. “Worth it.”
My skin went hot where our elbows brushed. Before I could start stretching, Josh approached.
“Rousseau!” he called. “Nice hustle today.” He flashed Reid an easy grin that sharpened when it landed on me. “Youdisappeared.”
I didn’t respond, but Josh didn’t get the hint and just hovered there, waiting.
“What do you want?” I asked, my voice bored.
“We need to talk.”
My pulse spiked as I noticed the varsity girls whispering to one another behind him as they watched us. “No, we don’t.”
“C’mon, don’t be like that, Clare-bear,” Josh said.
“Don’tcall me that.”
His jaw ticked. “You liked it last night.”
My entire face flamed. I didn’t want to be having this conversation at all, but definitely not in front of Reid. Josh pushed his damp, dirty-blond hair off his forehead and reached for me.
I backed away several steps. “Just leave me alone, okay?”
His face turned sour. “Fine. Whatever. Be a bitch.”
“Hey.” Reid didn’t need to raise his voice to draw our attention.
“Bro, no offense, but this doesn’t concern you,” Josh said, rolling his eyes.
Reid lifted his chin ever so slightly. If I had been filming, I’d push in there for the close-up to capture the subtle movement. “I’m not your bro. Full offense.”
Josh blinked, shocked that anyone would talk to him like that. Hewas used to the protection he got from his dad being the principal. His chest puffed in response. “Okay, now I get why you don’t have any friends.”
Reid smirked. “Now I get why Clara wants nothing to do with you. Look at us both learning.”
Josh’s cheeks went red all at once. “What’s your problem—”
