Page 15 of Catch
“Sutton, can I talk to you a minute?” Parker asked.
I turned and found her about five feet from me. I looked at Max.
“I’m going to grab a beer. Do either of you want anything?” he asked.
My mouth was dry and swallowing was impossible. “I’ll take a water,” I said. Parker shook her head and Max slipped away quickly. “What’s going on?”
“I’d like to sit down and chat with you sometime if that’s all right. I know it’s been a long time. If you don’t want to, I understand.” She touched my arm briefly but pulled her hand away when I lookeddown at her fingertips on my skin. As though she recognized my waffling, she added, “I want to know what your life has been like since high school. It sounds like it’s been an amazing ride.”
My anxiety was at a ten when I first arrived and now I couldn’t feel anything at all. Maybe the initial shock of sharing space with her was over. Our relationship was half a lifetime ago and maybe we really could be friends. It would be good for Grayson, the team, and honestly, good for me. I loved her deeply a long time ago and I did want to know about her life since we split.
“Yeah, that sounds nice. I’d like to hear what you’ve been up to as well.”
She found a pen on the table and wrote her number on one of my charity flyers. “I know you’re busy with the season starting up, but let me know when you’re free to have coffee or lunch.” She turned as Max approached with a beer and a tall water. “Bye, Max. It was good to see you again.”
He handed me the water as we watched her leave. “How do you really feel about that?” He faced me and waited for my reaction.
I felt defeated when I looked at him. “I honestly don’t know right now. I’m too overwhelmed. But we both know I’m going to call her anyway.”
Chapter Seven—Turnover
Past
We met Parker’s new friends at a mall by Hilltop High. It was so hard not to grab Parker’s hand or pull her close.
“This is my best friend, Sutton McCoy. She’s the quarterback for Oak Grove.”
“Hi,” I said.
One of them stood. She was pretty and had an adorable smile with pronounced dimples. “I’m Emilia. It’s nice to finally meet you.” She gave me a quick hug.
“Hi. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Amanda looked me up and down and smirked. She nudged Kirsten with her elbow. What was it about cheerleaders and their bitchiness? “You’re tall,” she said.
I shrugged. “I model in my spare time.” Even though it was a total lie, Hayley would be so proud of me. “But not during football season.” Their eyes widened and I could tell they were trying to figure out if I was lying or not. I fluffed out my hair and struck a pose.
Parker snorted. “She’s just playing around although she totally could,” Parker said. She winked at me. “Modeling is way better than pageantry.”
“You were Miss Mountain View, weren’t you?” I asked.
Parker held up two fingers. “Twice.”
Amanda and Kirsten looked at one another. “That’s really cool.” They were clearly impressed by the pageant wins and not my sports career, which told me exactly what I needed to know about them.
Amanda and Kirsten were obviously the type who gave all cheerleaders a bad name. Despite the bitchiness, I could understand why Parker joined cheer. Her parents gave her an option. She could either cheer or join their youth ministry. Cheering was easy, and even though she didn’t like it, it kept her occupied. And with Emilia on the team, it made fitting in a lot easier. It made my heart happy that she knew somebody else going to her new school. Parker told me she’d told Emilia about us. Emilia thought it was great and said our secret was safe with her. After two minutes with Amanda and Kirsten, I doubted the rest of the squad would react the same.
“Are you dating anyone, Sutton?” Kirsten asked.
Sbarro smelled delicious and I regretted succumbing to peer pressure and ordering an Orange Julius like the rest of Parker’s friends. Kirsten’s question rattled me. I held my finger up as I swallowed. “Not at the moment.”
“Even with all those yummy football boys around?” Amanda asked.
I laughed a little too loud. Clearly, Parker hadn’t told them I was a lesbian. “After you play football with them, they don’t smell so yummy.”
“We should find you somebody. Parker already has a few guys interested. It’s just a matter of time before she figures out which one she likes,” Amanda said.
Red splotches appeared on Parker’s cheeks. “It’s only because I’m the new girl.” She refused to look at me.
