Lexi shrugs. “Whatever it is, it’s weird as hell from the outside looking in.”
I imagine that’s true. Seeing as how it’s also weird as hell from the inside looking out. If that’s a thing …
“Let’s not talk about him, then,” I suggest.
She’s thoughtful, then her eyes light up. “We could always talk about costume shopping.”
Confused, I pop a brow at her, unsure why she’s grinning so profusely. “Come again?”
“Halloween’s a week away,” she reminds me. Not that I need a reminder. Between my neighborhood and school, the over-the-top decorations make it impossible to forget.
“You telling me you still trick-or-treat, Rodriguez?”
She rolls her eyes. “I wish. One neighbor straight up slammed the door in my face the last time I tried. Granted, this was just last year, but still. Super rude.”
Another laugh slips out and, lucky for her, I don’t have water in my mouth this time.
“What I mean is, Monster Bash is coming up,” she explains. “It’s always the weekend before Halloween.
I’m still just as confused. “Um … Monster Bash?”
“Yeah, it’s a massive Halloween party this kid Marcus throws every year. Never in the same place, but it’s always someplace creepy and secret. Costumes are required. I don’t usually do the social thing, but Halloween’s kind of my jam, so I make the exception.”
Her face is all lit up with excitement, which makes turning down her invitation that much harder.
“Gonna have to pass. Not only do I not have cash to shop, I also just really don’t want to,” I admit with an apologetic grin. “Plus, I’m guessing the Golden boys will be there?”
So much for not talking about them anymore.
“They show up to all the parties,” she answers, which isn’t surprising. “But you won’t have to worry about them. You’ll be with me and I’ll make sure you don’t even notice them. Should be a ton of guys there. So, who knows? You might just find someone to sweep West right out of your head.”
I’m thoughtful for a second and the amount of time it takes me to think things over doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Please, please, please!” she begs. “I’ll even buy your costume if you say yes.”
Rolling my eyes, I cave. Partially, anyway.
“But there’s no time. I have to take pics at tonight’s game, and I work tomorrow morning.”
“We’ll make it work,” she insists. “We can hit a few costume shops right when school lets out, and the party isn’t until late tomorrow, so it won’t mess up your work schedule.”
As soon as the words leave her mouth, Parker and crew slow-walk it past Lexi and me. I hadn’t even seen them come out to the courtyard, but here they are, staring down on us before exploding with laughter the second there’s a little distance between us.
I hate each and every one of those robots.
“Ignore them,” Lexi insists, clearly holding out hope she’ll convince me to go. “Just say you’ll come with me,” she begs.
I’m firm on my ‘no’ for about thirty seconds, and then give in.
“Fine.”
She squeals. “You won’t regret this.”
“Mm hm. I bet!”
Her response to the sarcasm is to give me the finger before she goes back to eating. Me? I’m filled with dread as I stare at the back of Parker’s head. West’s entire legion of demons will likely be there, but I kind of owe Lexi. She did help me steal all those pants.
Translation: I’m screwed and there’s no way out of it.
Glancing down at my phone, I hop to my feet. “Gotta run. Dr. Pryor wants to see me before fourth hour. I’ll see you in gym.”
Lexi nods. “For sure. And if your boyfriend comes looking for you, I’ll tell him where to find you,” she teases.
I roll my eyes playfully. “Yeah, okay. You do that.”
There are still a few minutes left of lunch as I approach Dr. Pryor’s door. She waves me inside and her expression’s blank, giving nothing away.
“Have a seat, Ms. Riley.”
I do as I’m told, nervously clasping my hands in my lap. She sifts through a stack of papers until finding what she needs. After scanning one sheet for a moment, she slides it across her desk.
“A permission slip,” she announces.
“For what?” I ask while looking over the paper, confused.
“You’ve been invited to join the football team on a little excursion.” She says that with a smile. One I don’t even come close to matching.
“I don’t understand.”
Pinching the bridge of her glasses, she removes them and looks me in the eyes.
“I’m sure you’re aware of our boys’ record this season,” she says. “So, it’s not unusual for the athletic department to plan ahead when the odds are high we’ll make it to regionals. We’ve already secured transportation and booked a block of rooms.”
During the brief pause that follows, I can’t help but wonder what this has to do with me and the permission slip in my hand.
“Listen, I’m going to level with you,” she continues with a sigh. “In a perfect world, I’d ask how you felt about this, ask if you were up to it, but … the school will need photos and you need to do everything you can to stand out in Journalism Club. So, that means this assignment is all yours.”
I say nothing, because nothing I say will change this decision she’s made. A decision that will stick me with West and his crew for an entire weekend.
“Figured I’d tell you sooner rather than later,” she adds, “so you can make the necessary arrangements.”
When she lowers her head, closing the discussion with that final statement, it’s like a nail hammered into my coffin. On my way out of her office, I reach for my phone to text Jules. If the boys make it to regionals, I’ll need her and Uncle Dusty to look after Scar sometime next month.
Here I am, backed into the corner again.
Nice.
West
“Your ma tells me you boys are undefeated. Keep that up and they’ll draft you straight to the NFL on graduation day.”
My grandfather—the legendary Boone
