Page 65 of Walk With Me
“I thought you were getting on top of everything?”
I wish!
“Nope. Not at all. The worst part is I miss Eden so much it’s distracting me from getting everything I need to get done so I canactuallyspend some time with her.”
“I didn’t know you were feeling this way, S. What can I do to help?”
“Do all my homework, babysit my neighbor’s kid, spend time with my parents and take over the cheer squad?”
Becca’s eyes go wide. “Um…”
“I’m joking. I’ve just got to hold on a little longer. I just need a good night’s sleep.”
“And maybe some…” She finishes her sentence with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
The sigh I let out says everything. I’d kill for a bit of eyebrow wiggle with my girl. In the minuscule time between activities I have to complete, my mind wanders to the day by the equipment shed, and the wonderful precise rolls of Eden’s hips.
Oh damn.
Becca snorts. “Earth to Sloane.”
Grinning, I shake my head. “Sorry. Lost in a memory.”
“Okay. There has to be a way to lighten your load.”
The only thing I can think of would be to give up babysitting. I just feel bad though. Especially when Ms.Elliot is a single parent trying to deal with her mom, work, and, of course, her young son.
Becca knocks my shoulder. “Here’s a crazy idea. Why don’t we split the captaincy?”
“How would that work?”
Even if I could drop one practice, it would help.
“Look. We’re a well-oiled machine. You can take the lead during gym class. Any additional practices I can take. Daniella has really stepped up over the past couple of weeks and would make a great second. You’re not reliant on cheer for college, and before you interrupt with an argument about being the best captain Holcroft has ever seen, you’re already that. Even if it weren’t the case, you need to step back on something, Sloane. Eden isn’t the thing I want you to step back from.”
“Me either,” I slip in.
“So. Is it decided? We’ll share the captaincy?”
My body is already relaxing at the mere thought of having one less thing to think about.
“Are you sure? What about your time with Bella?”
Becca smiles. “Bella is at every practice anyway. I get some eye-candy and then we get it on after.”
“I didn’t need to know that part.”
“Two minutes guys,” Daniella calls.
“We’ll talk about it later,” I say, making sure my laces are tight.
“Okay. Let’s just get through tonight. I’ll help you slip out a little earlier this evening. I don’t think we can get you out of the party altogether. People miss you.”
“Deal. Now let’s go and cheer the hell out of this game.”
The music strikes up and it’s go time. I have to concentrate with everything I have. Not only could I mess up the routine, I could get hurt if I’m distracted, hence why I drank an unhealthy amount of caffeine today.
It’s going to be a long night.
