in with an entire cheer squad.
All so the cameras might feature him on the show.
He stepped away from the girls, and most of them picked up a conversation with a man in full Native American headdress. But Zoey hung back, standing with Zack and catching her breath. He could feel her shaking off the high-energy silliness as she exhaled. “That was wild.”
“Yeah. The camera guys loved it.” Zack leaned against a stop sign. The line hadn’t moved in a few minutes.
“I’m only like that around them.” She smiled. “I guess it’s good to act crazy once in a while.”
“Pretty harmless.” They were talking like old friends. It was a strange sensation. Zack didn’t have time to think about what to say next.
“So Zack, you’re too cute to be single.” She flipped her long hair over her shoulder, looking straight at him. “You have a girlfriend?”
“I do.” Zack could feel his ship righting itself. These were waters he could navigate. “We’ve been together four years.”
“Hmmm.” She looked unfazed. “I have a boyfriend. Four months.” She grinned and held up her left hand. “No ring, though. I can do what I want.”
Her meaning was unmistakable. Zack took a step away from her and looked back at the line of contestants winding along the sidewalk as far as he could see. Behind him were six black gospel singers, and behind them was a trio of kids dressed as vampires. The gospel singers might be interesting. He’d have time to get to know them in the next few hours. But he had no way to escape the girl beside him. Their places in line were set.
“So your girlfriend.” Zoey batted her eyelashes. “Do you love her?”
“Absolutely. I’m proposing to her this fall.”
“Really?” Zoey’s eyes grew wide. “You’re young to get married.”
“She’s amazing.” He kept his gaze steady. “I want to spend my life with her. I’m old enough to know that.”
Zoey fell quiet as the line moved forward. They could see the gates seven or eight blocks ahead. Her arm brushed against his as they walked. His frustration grew. How could he be any clearer? Once more he took a step to the side and peered at the line ahead. When he turned back to her he kept his distance. “It’ll be another few hours at least.” Why had he jumped at the chance to play to the cameras? He should’ve stayed quiet as the crew passed by, or watched while the cheer squad entertained them. Hopefully Reese would understand. He was caught up in the moment—nothing more, right?
“Zack . . . are you listening?” The crowd noise was crazy loud. Zoey moved closer so their arms touched again.
“Sorry.” He chuckled, trying to keep things light. “I was thinking about my girlfriend.”
“No you weren’t.” She elbowed him lightly in the ribs. “You were thinking about this forever-long line. I said, ‘Don’t worry. At least we have each other.’?” She held her hand out and waited until he shook it. “Deal?”
Zack hesitated. “Deal.” He tried to imagine what sort of deal he was making, but again his words came without thinking. As if they were playing parts in a movie and his lines had already been written.
“Yes, sir.” Zoey grinned. “I think you and I are going to be good friends before this day is over.”
He had no response. He could only hope the day would fly by. So he could get away from the madness in downtown Atlanta, away from the cheer squad and Zoey.
And back home to Reese where he belonged.
IT WAS ALMOST Zack’s turn.
He and the cheerleaders and gospel singers and vampires had reached the Georgia Dome gates sometime after noon. They’d been sitting in section 8B ever since. Sitting and singing and laughing and talking. Zack had gotten to know most of them, and he had found a true friend in one of the gospel singers. Now it was midnight and after a few more groups they’d be up.
“I’m freaking out.” Zoey briefly leaned her head on his shoulder. “How can I sing when I’m so tired?”
Zack shifted away from her. Maybe if he turned the conversation to her, she’d forget about him. “Why’d you decide to audition, anyway? You never said.”
“Me?” Zoey seemed to sense that he wanted space. She turned in her seat and faced him. “All us senior cheerleaders decided at the same time. Like, we can all sing. So yeah . . .”
She looked at her squad, chatting with a group of guys a few rows down. “It’s my dream.” She lowered her voice. “The girls don’t know that. They think it’s all sort of a joke. You know, just to get on TV or whatever.” She blinked a few times. “Truthfully? It’s all that matters.”
Zack had heard her sing earlier. She had the skill to pull off a show like
“It is.” She uttered a sad laugh, and in the stadium lights he saw her eyes well up. “My boyfriend’s cheating on me. He thinks I don’t know.” She looked down, her trembling fingers proof of her uneasiness. “I didn’t want to say that earlier.”
“High school guys aren’t real loyal. Most of them, anyway.”
“I know.” She tilted her head, opening her heart to him whether he wanted it or not. “I need an older guy. That’s what my mom always says.”
Zack ignored that. He glanced at the screen. A countdown clock told him the current group had thirty seconds. Already ushers were approaching their section. “This is it.” Zack stood. “Hit it or go home.”
“I’m so scared.” Zoey stood and followed him. She seemed to lose her balance as they headed for the aisle and caught herself on Zack’s shoulder. “Sorry.” A smile tugged at her lips. “Clumsy.”
He put his hands in his pockets and looked straight ahead. He was grateful when she removed her hand from his arm. The girl was very pretty, but her flirting had gotten on his nerves all day; he was in love with Reese. But somehow against his will he caught himself starting to think about Zoey. Sixteen hours together could do that. He would have to sort out his thoughts later. “You’re close to your mom?”
“Sort of. She’s in rehab. I live with my grandparents.” Her eyes darkened, as if maybe she’d said too much. “See what I mean? This show, making it. That’s all I have. It’s all that matters.”
He wanted to tell her about his faith, about the God of hope who had helped his family survive the last year. But as they shuffled to the aisle and down the stadium stairs, the timing seemed off. He would tell her after this first round.
If her mom was in rehab, she had to be lonely. Zack thought of the hours his mother spent with AJ, the conversations about horses and school and the farm. Zoey had none of those moments with her mother. Maybe she hadn’t been exaggerating. He felt sick. All day he’d worked to avoid her, to discourage her advances. But the girl was in trouble. Maybe he’d figure out a way to introduce her to Jesus. Maybe pray for her.
He focused on the outer flap of the enormous striped tent. Suddenly everything faded. The crowd and the noise, the conversations and random bursts of singing. This was his single moment. The chance to see if this was how he could help his family. And if God wanted him to sing professionally.
