“What about you, Mya? Can I count on you to be there, cheering us on?”
“Oh shoot, did you say Friday? I think I’m washing my hair.”
“I think I’m washing my hair,” he muttered beneath his breath, rolling his eyes. “If you don’t come, you can’t come party with us afterwards.”
“Whatever will we do?” Mya clutched my hands, feigning disappointment.
“We could always hang out at The Alley?” I suggested. “Or maybe get drunk down by the river again, that was fun. Oh, I know, we could—”
“Okay, okay, you both made your point. But let’s face it, whatever you do, wherever you hang out, it’s not going to be half as much fun as being with me.” Asher’s amused gaze lingered on Mya until he winked and walked off, not bothering to wait for Cameron.
“You really shouldn’t encourage him,” he remarked.
“He can handle it,” Mya scoffed, her eyes tracking Asher’s retreating form. She could play down the chemistry between the two of them, but she wasn’t fooling anyone.
Jealousy stirred in my chest, which was crazy. Because I didn’t want Asher like that. But I couldn’t deny his attention softened the blow of Jason’s rejection somewhat. Not to mention the part of me that worried if Mya and Asher hooked up, I’d lose my two closest friends to Raiders.
“Hey, are you okay?” Mya nudged me again and I flashed her a weak smile.
“Me? I’m good.”
“Everything’s going to work out, Flick. I can feel it in my bones.”
“Speaking of bones,” Cam cleared his throat, “I’d better go before Coach breaks some of mine for being tardy. I’ll see you tonight?” he asked Hailee.
“Of course. Bye.”
He pulled her in for one last kiss and disappeared after Asher.
“What?” she said, noticing us both glaring at her.
“You two are so cute it’s disgusting.” Mya grinned.
“So disgusting,” I added around a smirk despite the sinking feeling in my stomach.
I wanted that.
Wanted someone to look at me the way Cameron looked at her.
But I would never get it so long as I was stuck on Jason.
“Felicity, sweetheart, is that you?” Mom’s voice filtered down the hall as I kicked off my shoes and dropped my keys on the sideboard.
“Hey, Mom.” I entered the kitchen.
“How was book club?”
“Good, thanks. No Dad?”
“He needed to stay late at the office.”
“Again? He’s always working.”
“Sure is. You know how it is, got to keep that roof over our heads. Well, you will soon enough.” She chuckled.
“So I’ve been thinking,” I said, sliding onto one of the stools. “Since its senior year and all, that I might like to do some volunteering.”
“What a wonderful idea.” Mom came over to the breakfast island to join me. “I’m sure me or your father can arrange some work experience with—”
“Actually, Mom, I was thinking I might do something else.”
“Something else?” Her brows pinched. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure I understand.”
“I just realized there’s so much I’ve always wanted to do and time’s running out, so I thought now might be a good time to experiment.”
“Hmm, that sounds kind of distracting, sweetheart. You have book club; that’s outside the box.”
Dear God, if she though book club was outside the box, I had no hope getting her on side for my new plan.
“It’s not exactly giving me major life experience though, Mom. I want to learn something new, try new things. Before I know it, college will be here, and I’ll have a full schedule of classes. I don’t want to leave high school with any regrets.”
“No, you’re right, you’re absolutely right.” Her bright smile gave me a smidgen of hope. “I bet if your father speaks to Killian at the bank he could help out or I could ask Mrs. Fenton if she has anything suitable.”
My bubble burst almost as quickly as it began inflating.
“Mrs. Fenton from the care home?” Disbelief filled my voice.
“That’s the one. I’m sure the residents would love to have a visit from you.”
“That wasn’t quite what I had in mind, Mom. I was thinking something more along the lines of working with… animals.”
“Animals?” she barely contained her surprise. “But why on earth would you want to work with animals?”
“Well, I did always want a pet, remember? And imagine how much fun it must be working with all cute little puppies and kittens.”
“Cute and dangerous, Felicity. And don’t even get me started on the allergies.”
“Mom, I don’t have allergies.”
“Because we raised you in a pet free environment.”
“I’m not sure it works that way.”
“It seems like an awful waste of your time when you could be getting real hands on experience in the workplace.”
She didn’t get it. She never had. Which is why I’d never veered from the plan. Their plan.
It was just easier that way. But now I’d considered a different plan, I couldn’t just switch it off. If my brief time with Jason had taught me anything, it was to go after what you wanted.
“I think it’ll be good for me,” I said defiantly, feeling something stir in my chest.
“I’m not sure I agree, sweetheart. And I can only imagine what your father will say; but if it’s something you really want to do,” she gave a resigned sigh, “then I suppose it would be okay, as long as we’ve checked out they have up to date health and safety policies.”
“Really?”
“You’ve worked hard for the last three years, Felicity. You deserve some downtime.”
It wasn’t exactly a gleaming endorsement, but I’d take it.
“Thanks, Mom, it means a lot to have your support.” Whether or not she’d feel the same if she knew the truth was another matter.
“Sweetheart, all I want is for you to be happy,” she reached over the counter, “you know that, right?”
I nodded over the lump in my throat. She wanted me to be happy... doing what had made her so happy. But I wanted more. I realized that now. I wanted to chase my own dreams even when they led me down the wrong path. I wanted to make mistakes and learn from them. I didn’t want to settle for average anymore; not when I could have amazing.
There was still one fatal flaw in my new plan—I wasn’t sure I would ever be brave enough to tell my parents.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jason
“Let’s go number one, you’re slacking,” one of the assistant coaches yelled across the field. I cussed under my breath, pumping my legs harder, pushing through the wall of pain closing in around me.
I was fucking tired.
Thanks to Thatcher and the shit with Felicity, I was barely sleeping. My muscles ached and my head pounded but it was practice and I had a job to do. Giving anything less than one-hundred and ten percent was not an option.