“Was?” she asks. “Does that mean you’re not sure about your decision anymore?”
“What I did was awful, I know. I hurt him. So saying ‘I’m sorry, can I get you back?’ won’t do.”
She widens her eyes in surprise. “Oh my God. You’re getting back together!”
“If he wants me back.”
Insecurity takes hold of me. He told me he’d wait, but honestly, I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t.
“Charlie, my brother is crazy about you. I’ve never seen a guy more in love with someone than he’s in love with you.”
I smile weakly. “I feel the same way about him. You have no idea how agonizing the six weeks have been. Which proves that I’m the stupidest girl alive for ever letting him go.”
“I’m not going to say you weren’t, but I’m also not going to hold that over your head. I’m guessing you want my help with wooing my brother back?”
“Yes. I want to sweep him off his feet.”
Jane laughs. “Sure. It’s nice to see a girl making the big, romantic gesture for a change instead of the guy with the boombox outside the girl’s window.”
“Right? So what should I do?”
She eyes my cast and furrows her brows. “You know Saturday’s game is the last one in the season, right?”
“Yeah, I’m aware. I’ve been following the games on TV.”
“I have an idea, but it’ll require Andy’s assistance and a cheerleader uniform.”
My eyes widen. “Oh boy. I’m afraid to ask.”
TROY
Six weeks have gone by since I moved out of Grandma’s house. I haven’t talked to Charlie at all during that time, but I’ve seen her on campus on a few occasions. Those instances were brutal, and it just made the wound in my chest bleed more. Thank God for football, which has kept me busy. The Rushmore Rebels are kicking ass and taking names. Today’s game is the last one of the season, and it feels monumental. It’s the end of an era.
The rush of winning games doesn’t compare to being with Charlie though. Nothing will ever compare. Ben has been keeping me updated. He’s turned into our biggest supporter and believes I’ve given Charlie enough time to wallow in her guilt. His words, not mine. Their parents aren’t getting a divorce after all, and my mother has moved on as well. She’s dating a young Hollywood producer. It probably won’t last, but at least her new boyfriend isn’t married.
A ping from my phone warns me of an incoming text.
Charlie is going to Golden Oaks this Sunday. That’s your chance.
I smile at Ben’s message. He’s the best spy. I text him back saying I’ll be there. Despite our breakup, Charlie continues to visit Grandma. I’ve increased my visits too, but I’ve purposely avoided going when I knew Charlie would be there. It was an effort to keep my distance from her, but I didn’t want to ruin everything by putting the second part of my plan in motion too soon.
On the day we broke up, I had every intention to beg her not to end things. But on the drive to Littleton, I realized groveling wouldn’t work. Charlie’s protectiveness would kick in big time. So I retreated and bided my time, waiting to strike when her resolve to stay away had weakened. According to Ben, the time is now.
Coach expects us in the locker room in half an hour. Andreas and Danny are already making noise in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. As usual, they’re also chatty and loud, but all I can hear from my bedroom are muffled voices as if they’re whispering.
When I walk into the room, they stop talking at once and glance at me.
“What are you girls gossiping about?” I grab a box of cereal and fill a bowl.
“Nothing,” Danny replies.
“I can’t believe this is your last game of the season,” Andreas says. “I’m already so fucking sad.”
I watch him through slits. “Right. Because you’re a big, emotional guy.”
“Hey. There’s a heart beating underneath all this muscle, bro.” He presses a hand against his chest in an exaggerated gesture.
“Yeah, yeah. Just don’t cry in your Cheerios, okay?”
Andreas turns to Danny. “Do you see the shit I have to put up with? You’d better treat me better, bro.”
Danny shakes his head. “Sure, Andy.” He turns to me. “Is Jane coming to the game?”
I stand straighter. Danny’s never asked about Jane before. “I think so. Why?”
He shrugs. “No reason. Just curious.”
“She asked for six tickets, actually. I wonder who she’s bringing with her.”
“Maybe your grandma and her two boyfriends,” Andreas pipes up.
I groan. “Fuck. You’re probably right. I can’t deal with them.”
“Why? Because they’re sharing her?” Danny laughs.
“That’s not the problem. The issue is that they love to talk about their sex life.”
Andreas wrinkles his nose. “Ew. Why did you have to say that? Now I’m picturing your grandma doing the Eiffel Tower.”
“Thanks for putting that image in my head, jackass,” I say.
“You started it.” He grabs an apple from the fruit bowl. “Come on. Let’s go. Talking about geriatric sex is not how I envisioned starting my day.”
“Like it was mine,” I grumble.
I banish that disturbing visual from my mind and think about Charlie. My heart immediately picks up speed. Tomorrow is the day. If I can’t convince her to give me another chance, then that will be it for us. Which means I can’t fail.
49
CHARLIE
I’m staring at my reflection in the mirror, thinking I must be crazy. I’m in the middle of the cheerleaders’ locker room, getting ready to perform in front of thousands of Rushmore Rebel fans. This is the grand gesture Jane came up with. With the help of Andreas and his connections, I’m now an honorary cheerleader.
I pull on my skirt, trying to cover more of my ass. Man, their outfit is skimpy.
Vanessa Castro, the soccer player I met at the party I went to with Troy, comes over and stands next to me. “You’re looking good, Charlie. The uniform suits you.”
“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” I run my hand over the microskirt.
“Me neither,” Heather, Vanessa’s twin and cheerleader captain, pipes up. “I don’t know how you’re going to perform the routine on crutches.”
“Please, Heather. All Charlie has to do is stand still and shake the pom-poms while you dance around her. Simple.” Vanessa smirks.
“Why are you even here? Don’t you have a game or something?”
Vanessa looks at me, then back at her sister. “I couldn’t pass up the chance to see this performance. Besides, my game isn’t until much later.”
“I think it’s very sweet that you’re doing this for Troy,” Jackie, a petite brunette, tells me. “He’s such a dreamboat.”
“You think every guy on the team is a dreamboat,” Heather points out.
“But they are. Why do you think I became a cheerleader?” She shakes her ass and winks at her friend.