One of the Girls (Friendzone #1) Read online

  “Yeah. Okay.” What the crap was wrong with me? It’s not like I never talked to pretty girls. But I’d never talked to this pretty girl, and apparently it was more than I could handle. She was turning my mind to mush. My mouth was getting drier by the second, and my tongue felt like a lump of sawdust.

  “I’ll see you later, Nick.” Mia headed for the door, walking backward. “Just know that regardless of what happens with the team, I thought you were pretty awesome today.”

  “You too,” I replied.

  Mia giggled, and her face scrunched up. “Thanks. I think.” She opened the doors and disappeared inside. Why the heck did I say You too? Because she evaluated us so awesomely? Someone should kill me now.

  More guys were trickling into the parking lot. I finally got my head together and sprinted for my car before someone could see me. I had to duck down and wait while a few of my teammates drove by. Hopefully they were too distracted to wonder why my car was here. I was laying my seat back for a better hiding position when my phone dinged with a text message.

  Sean: How’d it go?

  Me: It’d be better if I wasn’t in the parking lot, waiting for everyone to leave.

  Sean: LOL. I wondered why your car was still here.

  Me: Do you think anyone else noticed?

  Sean: Nah. We’re a bunch of self-absorbed meatheads.

  Me: Text me when it’s safe.

  Sean: Better wait a minute.

  I laid anxiously in the driver’s seat, sure someone would catch me. After a few minutes, I poked my head up to see if the coast was clear. I was looking in the rearview mirror when Sean banged his hands on the passenger window, scaring the life out of me.

  “Boo!” he yelled.

  “Ahh!” I screeched and threw my hand over my heart. He cracked up as he opened the door and slipped into the seat next to me. “Jerk,” I muttered.

  “You screamed like a girl.”

  “You snuck up on me, dillweed.” I punched him in the shoulder, and he winced but wisely stopped taunting me. Then I grabbed the lever to raise the seat back and did a quick survey of the parking lot.

  “Everyone’s gone.” He laughed. “Your secret’s safe. Now, are you going to tell me how it went? Or do I have to beat it out of you?”

  “It went.”

  “That’s it?”

  I sighed. “It was weird being the only guy. Maybe this was a bad idea.”

  Sean grabbed me by the shoulders. “Did Mia talk to you?”

  “Yeah. She even followed me out of the building to tell me how awesome I was.”

  “Then, mission accomplished.” He gave me a proud smile.

  I gripped the steering wheel and leaned forward to rest my head on it. “I still won’t know if I made the team until Monday morning.”

  “Dude, you made the team.”

  “You can only say that because you didn’t see my herkie.” I tipped my head sideways.

  He grinned. “No. I can say that because you’re hard-core. And what the heck is a herkie?”

  “You know when the girls do that thing where they jump, and it looks like they’re trying to clear a hurdle?” Sean stared blankly at me. I shook my head and laughed. “Never mind. Trust me when I say, I didn’t nail that one.”

  Sean laid his hand on my shoulder and spoke with a gentle, soothing voice. “Don’t worry, Nick. You’ll earn those pom-poms. I have faith in you.”

  I shrugged him off and stuck the key in the ignition. “Get out of my car, before I find you a pom-pom and shove it where the sun don’t shine.”

  He roared with laughter. “Can’t. When I saw your car, I told Whitman I didn’t need a ride. You have to drive me home now.”

  “Fine. Buckle up.” I turned the radio on and rolled the windows down. It was a beautiful day. Soon it would feel like fall, and I wanted to enjoy the last little bit of summer while I could.

  I pulled up to Sean’s house. “Ross’s parents are out of town. Guess he’s having a party tonight. You want to hit it?” he asked.

  I reached over to turn down the music. “Sure, why not?”

  “Cool. Pick me up at eight.”

  “Why do I have to drive?”

  “Because I don’t have a car. It’s the only reason I keep you around.”

  Sean shut the door and walked off toward his porch. I yelled out the window, “Be back at eight, loser!” He gave me a thumbs-up without looking back.

  A few hours later, I was in my bedroom, finishing a math assignment. My mom did a knock and walk. “Well?” she asked.

  “Well, what?” I knew exactly what she was referring to.

  “How was the…” She peeked into the hall and lowered her voice. I could hear my dad rustling around in the loft. “…you know.” Mom nodded her head emphatically.

  I sat up on my bed, legs crossed, leaning back on my arms. “It was good.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Just good?”

  “I don’t know. It’s hard to tell. I think I was better than most, but they’re only looking to fill four spots.” I shrugged. “Maybe having one guy would be weird. Maybe they’d rather pick a freshman so they don’t stack the team with seniors. A lot of the girls are graduating this year.”

  “Hmm. I think if they don’t take you, they’re being foolish.”

  “You have to think that; you’re my mom.”

  She smiled and crossed an X over her heart. “I swear I’m not biased. Now, come down before your dinner gets cold.”

  My stomach growled on cue. “What are we having?”

  She smirked. “Gazpacho.”

  “Haha, funny. I thought lame jokes were supposed to be a dad thing.”

  “What can I say? He’s rubbed off on me. We’re having chicken and rice.”

  “Okay. I’ll be down in a second.” I shut my math book and hit the bathroom, then trotted down the stairs.

  “Hey, son.” Dad was setting the table.

  “What’s up?”

  “You feeling okay? Grandpa said you missed practice.”

  I looked to my mom, hoping she’d field the question. I didn’t know what or how much she’d told him. “He’s fine,” she answered on my behalf. “I took him to get his sports physical.”

  Dad set the last cup next to a plate and gave me a questioning look. “I thought you did that a few weeks ago?”

  “Uh, nope.” I fumbled vaguely.

  Mom covered for me once again. “The doctor got called away on an emergency, and the office rescheduled us. I didn’t say anything because I know he’s not supposed to be playing without the physical.”

  “Oh.” Dad accepted the fib easily. “Well, don’t tell Coach what you were doing, or you’re likely to get in trouble.”

  “Hah—” Mom covered a laugh by coughing.

  Dad had no idea just how right he was.

  Chapter 6

  I really didn’t want to go to Ross’s party. But I didn’t want to stay home on a Friday night, either. Cassidy tried to convince me that if I bailed, I’d be letting Cole win. Why should I have to stay home so nobody feels awkward? Her logic was faulty because Cole wouldn’t feel awkward anyway. He’d be too busy groping Sarah under the guise of dancing.

  I skipped out on makeup and pulled my hair back in a ponytail. Combined with my jeans and gently worn Coke T-shirt, I looked utterly plain. Maybe Ross would stalk someone else. The doorbell rang as I was shoving Chapstick and money into my front pocket. I slid my phone into my back pocket and headed into the foyer. My mom had answered the door and was chatting with Stacie.

  “Where are you ladies headed tonight?” Mom asked.

  “A party at Ross Grantham’s house,” I replied, walking up behind her.

  She assessed my outfit and wrinkled her nose. “You’re wearing that to a party?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Mom, it’s a party, not prom. Someone will probably spill a drink down my front anyway. You wouldn’t want me to ruin a nice outfit, would you?”

  She frowned. “I’d rather you not
go to a party where there might be drinking.”

  “Even if there is, you know I won’t be having any. And neither will Stacie or Cass. Right?” I looked to my ride.

  “Definitely not. I promise.” Stacie jingled the keys in front of her.

  Mom sighed. “Be safe. And smart.” She leaned in to kiss each of my cheeks, as if she were a French aristocrat or an old-time movie star. I indulged her ritual, then walked out the door. “Wear your seat belts,” she called. “Remember, you’re a lady. Please behave like one.”

  “Bye, Mom!” I yelled, only slightly humiliated. Stacie was well acquainted with the be a lady lecture. I quickly slid into the passenger seat and shut the door.

  Stacie pulled away from my house. “Does your mom ever look less than perfect? I bet she rolls out of bed with her makeup on and her hair done. Just add jewelry, and voilà!”

  I laughed. “Are you kidding me? She sleeps with this weird wrinkle mask junk on her face. It’s supposed to be some miracle anti-aging serum or something. I don’t know how she can stand it. Seems uncomfortable to me. And her hair is way hard to tame. It’s always frizzy and fro’d out first thing in the morning. If you ran into my mom before she showered, you might mistake her for an escapee from the circus.”

  “I don’t believe you.” Stacie narrowed her eyes.

  I put my hand up. “I swear on my pom-poms!”

  “Huh. I’d never have guessed it to look at her.”

  “That’s because the only people who’ve seen her pre-shower are me and my dad.”

  Stacie shot me a wicked grin. “You should get a picture. That’s epic blackmail material.”

  I mimicked my mother’s voice. “Ah, but I’m a lady. And a lady never blackmails people.” It was silent for a beat before the car filled with laughter.

  We swung by Cassidy’s, then headed to Ross’s house. His street was already packed full of cars, and it was barely eight o’clock. Kids were spilling onto the yard, red Solo cups in hand. We could hear a loud, thumping bass from the music inside.

  “Wow. Looks like a rager,” Cassidy said, rubbing her hands together. I wouldn’t be drinking, but I might have been wrong about Cassidy’s plans for sobriety.

  “I give it two hours before the cops are here,” Stacie replied, glancing around.

  “Yeah, way to be subtle, Ross.” I shook my head. “What an idiot. He should rein this in before he gets busted.”

  Cass’s face scrunched up. “Guess I better get my party on.” She skipped ahead of us.

  Stacie and I looked at each other and back at Cass before yelling in unison, “Remember, you’re a lady!”

  She turned to curtsy. “Always.”

  Stacie chuckled. “I’ll bet you ten bucks we have to carry her out.”

  “No deal,” I replied with a laugh.

  Ross’s house wasn’t huge, which made the hundred or so people inside feel like a thousand. It was loud, stuffy, and smelled of sweaty teenagers. Between the music, laughter, and general foolishness, I was already close to sensory overload. I peered at Stacie, ready to suggest other plans. But she looked happy, so I held my tongue.

  We hadn’t made it ten steps past the door when Ross spotted us and pushed through the crowd. “Hola, señoritas,” he purred, rolling his r with dramatic flair. His breath reeked of beer.

  “Good crowd,” Stacie replied appreciatively.

  “This is nothing. You should check out the basement.” He puckered his lips, trying to be sexy. “I have a cushy love nest in a nice private corner, if you want to join me later.” His voice held an odd mix of lechery and nervous hope.

  Stacie pinned me with a hard stare, waiting for my clear-cut rejection. “You know, love nests are really hard on my spine…” I started with the lamest excuse ever. She frowned angrily, so I amped up the sass. “…and private corners just aren’t my thing.”

  Ross shrugged. “Your loss, babe. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

  After he stumbled away, Stacie clapped me on the back. “The beginning was a little weak, but you pulled off a solid finish. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

  I grunted. “Not with Ross.”

  “Well, practice makes perfect, so keep up the good work. I’m going to find a soda or a water. You want one?”

  “Sure.”

  “Be right back.” Stacie disappeared into the crowd, leaving me to wander alone. In Stacie time, right back meant twenty or thirty minutes, after she’d stopped to chat with a dozen people. I spotted an open seat on a couch across the room. Nick and his friend Sean were on the other half, talking to a couple girls who looked young—sophomores at best.

  I cut through the throng of people dancing on an expensive-looking rug and stood in front of Nick. “Is this seat taken?” I asked over the music, nodding to the cushion beside him.

  His eyes got big and he blinked a few times, as if he was processing the right way to respond. Eventually, he smiled and patted the couch. “It is now.”

  Phew. For a second, I thought he’d tell me to take a hike. The panic that rose during his brief pause reminded me why I never said no to people. Even if Nick had been sweet about it, I’d have felt totally dejected. Over a stinking couch cushion!

  “Thanks.” I smiled.

  “Any time.” He smiled back.

  Sean pulled himself away from a particularly flirtatious conversation and glanced at me. Then he did a double take and his eyes widened, the same way Nick’s had. He seemed totally surprised that I’d asked to sit with them. I know we weren’t really friends or anything, but it’s not like I thought I was too cool for them. Maybe they thought that I thought I was too cool for them. Maybe they just thought I was strange. Or perhaps I was overanalyzing things, like usual.

  “Hey, Mia,” Sean finally said. His look of shock had vanished, leaving his regular playful grin. “What’s up?”

  “Nothing. Stacie went to find beverages, which means I’ll be twiddling my thumbs for the next half hour.”

  Nick chuckled at my joke, even though it wasn’t all that funny. Sean smirked. “How about I go find her for you?”

  “Oh, that’s not necessary. She’ll make it back someday.”

  “I was about to get a drink anyway.” He stood and wrapped one arm around each of the perky underclassmen. “You ladies care to join me?” Before they could answer, he started guiding them toward the kitchen. The shorter of the two looked positively delighted. The taller, cuter girl was sporting a face full of disappointment. She cast a quick glance at Nick but let Sean whisk her off anyway.

  “Well, isn’t he the ladies’ man?” I laughed.

  Nick gave me an impish grin. “He certainly tries.”

  I searched my brain for a talking point, but I’d never really conversed with Nick at length and was unsure what to say. I spit out the first thing that came to mind. “Did you make it home unspotted?” I’d spoken loudly to be heard above the music. Nick looked over his shoulder and surveyed the space around us. Suddenly, I realized that I might have been a little too loud. “Ooh. Sorry,” I said quickly. I winced, feeling my cheeks heat.

  “Don’t worry.” He waved me off. “The coast is clear. Besides, I’m not sure anyone could have heard you over all this noise. And to answer your question, the only one who caught me was Sean. But he already knew where I was, so he doesn’t count.”

  My forehead wrinkled and my eyebrows rose. “You told him what you were doing? What did he think about it?”

  Nick chortled and held out his fingers, ticking off responses as he said them. “First, he reminded me that I was a guy—not that I needed reminding. Then he told me he didn’t think my legs were nice enough to pull off a cheer skirt.” I snickered when he gave me a dry expression and pointed to his jeans. “I mean, come on. These babies would look amazing in a cheer skirt.”

  “Agreed.” I laughed.

  “After that, he tried to convince me that the whole football team would give me crap for being gay.” He paused, worry flashing acr
oss his face. “In case you weren’t sure, I totally like girls.”

  I held back my laughter this time but couldn’t suppress a grin. “I figured as much.”

  Nick seemed relieved to hear me say so. His insecurity was adorable. Actually, he was just cute in general. His charm was endearing and his smile infectious. Until today, I’d probably have assumed he was another cocky jock. But from what I could tell, he was genuine, funny, and easy to talk to. A breath of fresh air compared to most of the guys I associated with.

  “I almost chickened out when he brought up how angry Coach would be if I quit. Especially given our special relationship.” Nick’s face soured before he shrugged in resignation. “But I decided I’d deal with my grandpa when and if I need to. After completing the obligatory-best-friend-devil’s-advocate routine, Sean got on board with the cheerleading idea—even if he thinks I’ve completely lost it.”

  “I’m impressed by his open-mindedness,” I teased.

  He grinned. “It helped my case when I pointed out that I’d be trading the company of sweaty dudes for beautiful women.”

  Nick’s eyes danced, tiny crinkles forming at the sides. What would have sounded like a line from anyone else sounded heartfelt coming from him. I know the compliment included all the girls on the squad, but the way he was looking at me…it felt awfully personal.

  My whole body grew warm. Something flip-flopped in my belly. A tingle shot through my chest. I didn’t know what was happening, but I kind of liked it. I had a sudden urge to reciprocate the fuzzy feeling he’d given me. That’s when I knew I couldn’t sit on my good news until Monday.

  I leaned toward him and lowered my voice. “Can you keep a secret?”

  In a room that smelled like eau de gym class, Nick’s sweet cologne assaulted my nose. It caught me off guard, but I quickly gathered my senses and cleared my throat. Until he scooted closer. Instantly, my head fogged up. My thoughts slipped through my ears, landing somewhere in the deep recesses of the couch cracks.

  “I’m excellent at secrets.” He gave me a wry grin. With less than a foot between us, the tingling in my chest spread to my lips.