Page 73 of Resisting the Fall

There was a glint of mischief in her eyes. “What else is on that list of yours?”

I just smiled. “Maybe I’ll show you once you’re home.”

MAVEN

We made our way up the stairs of the bleachers, searching for seats in the crowded stands. Thanks to my train from New York being delayed thirty minutes, we’d missed the entire first quarter and part of the second.

Mom spotted a row near the top and, with Penny’s hand in hers, led the way.

“Why do we have to sit all the way up here?” Penny asked. “Last time we sat closer.”

“Last time we got here before the game started.” My mom sidestepped along the row to avoid hitting anyone on the row in front. “And since it’s homecoming, it’s extra crowded.”

I took the seat next to Penny. “Sorry, Sweet P. It’s my fault we’re late.”

Penny’s frown lessened. “It’s okay.”

Once we were situated, I searched the crowd for Ben. He didn’t know I was coming, and being that I’d prefer to keep it that way, I needed to make sure I stayed out of his line of sight. Thankfully, the Walkers were on their usual bench two sections over toward the middle of the bleachers. Ben was seated on the same row as his family but farther down next to Tate. Wait. There was a woman sandwiched between the two of them. She turned her head slightly to speak with Tate, and I glimpsed her profile. I leaned toward Carson. “Is that Liv Rawlins?”

Carson’s gaze followed mine, knowing exactly where I would be looking. “Yeah. She’s apparently back for a while and staying with the Walkers.”

Huh. That seemed odd. “Do you know why?”

Carson shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

Maybe she just needed somewhere to stay. There was nothing Ann and Tom loved more than being of service to others, and Liv had been friends with the Walker boys in high school.

The cheer of the crowd sent our attention back to the field. A maroon-and-gold-clad Autumn Ridge High player carried the football, weaving through several defenders before finally being tackled at their twenty yard line.

In celebration, Carson gave his signature whistle.

Penny sent her dad a very effective scowl.

Carson chuckled. “Sorry, Penny. Should I warn you next time?”

She rolled her eyes with his teasing, but her scowl dissolved into an affectionate grin.

Without thinking, I looked back toward Ben to find him glancing in our general direction, his gaze searching. Shoot. He must have heard Carson’s whistle. Before I could lean back, using my brother to block me from view, Ben’s eyes locked with mine. His brow furrowed at first, but then his head quirked slightly and a smile lifted onto his lips. He said something to Tate and gestured with his chin in our direction. I quickly set my gaze forward, pretending I wasn’t hyperaware of Ben standing in my periphery and making his way down the row.

“Say no,” I said to Carson, who sent me a confused look as Ben started up the stairs toward us.

“To who?”

“To Ben,” I hissed.

Carson noticed Ben right as he passed us and took a seat on the row behind.

Ben placed a hand on Carson’s shoulder. “I’m not sure if you got my text, but we saved seats for you guys.”

“Where are your seats?” Penny asked before Carson could respond.

Ben pointed. “Right there, in the middle.”

Penny’s eyes brightened, and she sent her dad a pleading look. “Can we go sit with them?”

Oh great! Carson now had to choose between what Penny wanted and what I wanted. “It looks pretty crowded,” he said. “I’m not sure there’s room for all four of us.”

“You two can go.” I didn’t want Carson to have to make a choice. “Mom and I can stay here.”