As we walk out, Coach Richards looks up from the field. “Josie Walters,” he says.
Mr. Richards teaches history and though I never had him for a class, I know who he is. And now, apparently, he knows who I am.
He gives me an approving nod. “Nice job today. You two are a good team.”
“Thanks, Coach,” Garrett says, answering from behind. “We are.”
I hate letting him get the last word, but even I can’t argue that.
Chapter Twelve
The dinosaur costume is hot. And I don’t mean sexy.
It’s also itchy. Like, bug itchy.
Can ticks live on fake fur?
The thought makes me itch more.
“How are you doing?”
I recognize Bryan’s voice. A second later, a hand waves in front of the eye slits. I get a flash of dark wavy hair and worried brown eyes.
“It’s a thousand degrees in here and the head weighs more than a bowling ball.”
“Hang on.”
Something shifts and the pressure is off my neck.
“The head wasn’t on right.”
“Thanks! I must have knocked it loose during the dancing.”
Today, I was Dina the Dancing Dino. It’s a new costume character for story time. Doing the Hokey Pokey with miniature yellow arms and huge stuffed feet is a little humiliating, but so worth it. The kids laughed their butts off and so did I. “I thought Ciera was going to bring me down that one time.”
“I was ready to catch you.”
Inside my oversize head, I smile. Bryan is the kind of guy who would, too. “Is it time for me to reemerge as a sweatier and more dehydrated version of myself?”
He laughs. I like that about Bryan. He laughs when he’s supposed to. Not when I insult him—as if I ever would. He made me another origami animal this morning. Something with a really long nose. Maybe an aardvark? I’m afraid to ask, because why would you make an aardvark? But I thanked him in generic terms.
“Two minutes. Brandi wants me to get some photos.”
A low groan slips out. I’m not sure what time it is and I don’t want to be late to the café. “I have a meeting thing, so as long as it’s quick.” I lift my flappy felt-covered hands. Dina the Dino is permanently smiling. “Should I move?”
“You’re perfect where you are.” I hear a click and hold still.
“Brandi had an interview this morning,” Bryan tells me. “For your replacement.”
“Oh yeah?” My voice sounds tight, and I clear my throat. I’m glad she’s interviewing. My dancing dino days will be over soon, and I want to help Brandi train my replacement. “Anyone promising?”
“Not sure,” he says, and I remind myself to stay still as I hear more clicks from his phone camera. “That should be enough.”
“Thank God. Can you help me out of this?” I turn so he can reach the hook at the back of my costume. “Do you know what time it is?”
“It’s one o’clock,” a voice says.
Not Bryan’s voice.
Shit.
“Blondie,” I say.
“Deeno,” he says.
“It’s Dina,” I correct with as much self-respect as I can muster. Then I turn and whack my tail into something.
“Careful,” Bryan says.
“I’ll meet you in the café, Garrett.” My voice is sharp.
I hear a full-throated laugh in response. “Nice tail.”
My face is burning. “Bryan, can you help me, please?”
His hand is on my arm as he leads me to the activity room. He undoes the top hook and unzips the costume while I twist the lumpy head free. The heavy yellow material puddles around my feet while deliciously cool air prickles over my arms and legs. My blue tank and stretchy gym shorts are both on the damp side. I push back sweaty bangs and unwind the messy bun of my hair, finger combing it quickly before pulling it into a high pony. “Thanks.”
“So who was that?”
“A guy from school. We’re doing a project together.”
“Oh.” I see the hesitation in his eyes. He’s only a year older than me, but he’s in college. He’s not like the goofball boys at Cholla. I’ve talked to him enough to know that he’s serious about school, serious about the future. And now he’s wondering what kind of girl I am. What am I doing with someone like Garrett Reeves? But I’m not with him. And we’re not doing anything. Except…how do I answer a question that hasn’t been asked?
Apparently by babbling, which is what I begin to do. “It’s a broadcasting project,” I say. “He’s a baseball player. Was. And there’s a contest. It’s sponsored by ASU, which is why we’re meeting, because there are requirements. For the broadcasting thing.” Before I can mention my father and revenge, I bite my lip. Hard. I want to pull on the dinosaur head and bury my face in itchy fur. “I’ll hang up the costume,” I tell him.
His smile is back. “I’ll take it. You go.”
“You sure?” I’m flushed with heat and embarrassment but he looks at me as if I’m, well, beautiful.
“I’m sure. I’ll see you Wednesday?” he adds.
“Wednesday. And thanks again for the, uh…for the origami.” I give him one last smile and head out. I make a mental note to look up a picture of an aardvark when I get home.
Chapter Thirteen
Garrett is sitting at a booth with two water bottles.
I slide in across from him, setting my purse and a cream cardigan down beside me. I planned on wearing it to meet Garrett, but I’m still too warm, even with the air conditioning on full blast. “You were supposed to wait for me here.”
“You were supposed to be on time.” He slides one of the water bottles toward me. “For you.”
“Thanks.” The icy bottle feels good on my fingers. “That was…nice of you.”
“Relax, Walters. It doesn’t mean you owe me a kidney. I figured you might be thirsty. After seeing you, I was having Halloween costume flashbacks.” He downs half his bottle in one go. His hair is damp, too, but I’m guessing his is from a shower.
“So who was the guy in the
