“It’s weird. Seems like he’s always watching you.”
“Oh. Um.” A new wave of heat creeps up my neck and into my face. “I’m sure he isn’t. It’s just that we know each other from school.”
“Seems like more than that.”
We also rounded second base together. I flush at the wayward thought. “We have friends in common.”
“Is that how you met?”
“Kind of. Not really.” I decide to stick to as much of the truth as I can. “It was an accident. Spring break. Community pool. I got dragged into a game he was playing.”
Call me Killer.
I still can’t believe I said that. Or that I didn’t get dragged into anything. I said yes. Me, sensible Mai, climbed onto the shoulders of a guy I didn’t even know. The memory still fills me with a rush of embarrassment. But also, it was possibly the most fun I had in four years of high school.
Grant seems to be waiting for more of an explanation, but I can’t say any of that to him. I don’t want him to think I’m the kind of girl who does reckless. Who liked reckless. A lot. Instead, I say, “I doubt we’ll see each other again after this project is over.”
“Right,” he says. “Why would you?”
My eyes search for Anthony, watching as he kicks up dust striding between cactus and brush. My stomach flutters again. “No good reason at all.”
Chapter Twelve
Mai
“So how is the trail project going?” Josie asks. “Anything exciting I should know about?”
For a split second, I think, She knows! She can read my face, and it’s screaming, Liar! Flingerer!
Is “flingerer” a word?
But she doesn’t know about Anthony or she wouldn’t be calmly stacking papers together for the summer baseball league she’s helping coach. She always thought my Anthony-crush was a mistake. Which it is. I still feel terrible not telling her, but I will as soon as it’s over. She hands me a packet. “Sooooo?”
I realize I still haven’t answered. “Nothing too exciting.” I fold the papers into thirds and stuff them into envelopes. “Oh. I didn’t tell you. Grant Ellison is in the group.”
“Grant?” She frowns, and then her expression clears. “The family friend, right? Lives in Scottsdale. You compete from afar?”
“That’s the one.”
I slide my stool down a foot, avoiding a shaft of sunlight through Josie’s kitchen window. It’s another triple-digit day, and this is the hottest part—nearly five in the afternoon—and even the granite countertops reflect the heat. “My mom told his mom I’d signed up for the trail project, so he did, too.”
“Really?” Josie gives me a speculative look. “I thought he has a girlfriend.”
“Had.”
“Ooh, this is getting more interesting.”
I flip a stuffed envelope on the pile. “We’re working on trails. Not flirting.”
“You can do both. You’re talented that way.” She hands me a new stack. “You like him?”
“I do.” I stuff another envelope and consider all things Grant. Once I’m over Anthony, I think I’ll like him even more.
“You’ve always said he’s your twin in life.”
“Turns out he’s my hot twin.”
“Even better.”
I grin, just happy to be in Josie’s kitchen. “So how is baseball camp?”
“Excellent. Coach is great—gives me a ton of responsibility. The boys are mostly great, too. A few troublemakers but I’ve had practice dealing with ornery players.”
“Your boyfriend, for instance?”
Her smile turns dopey, like it always does when she’s thinking about Garrett. “That reminds me,” she says. “There’s a party Saturday night. We’re invited. The guys will all be there.”
“The guys?” My pulse skips because I know exactly who the guys are.
“They’ve been stopping by to help out at the camp. Cooper, Tucker—Anthony was going to, but I guess something came up in the mornings.”
“Probably working.” I fold the last pages carefully, keeping my eyes down, while guilt gnaws a hole through my stomach. I know she’s wondering if I’m really over him. She’s worried about me, and I’m lying to her.
“You can invite Grant if you want. I’d love to meet him.”
“It’s not really like that. At least, not yet.”
“It might be by Saturday. Even if it isn’t, you’re still coming.” Josie straightens the pile of envelopes. “I’ve rescinded my invitation, and now I’m issuing an order.”
“Isn’t that bossy of you.”
“Coach gave me a whistle. I feel all-powerful.”
My phone beeps with a text. I check the screen, and my breath catches.
Anthony: B there at 6
This is it. Operation Over Him. I shift on my stool and type:
Me: Fine.
“Who is that?”
I look up and find Josie staring at me.
“Oh. Um.” I slide the phone away. “It’s my roommate for next year.” The words spring from some part of my brain that is surprisingly quick with a lie. I had no idea. “She’s bringing an espresso machine for our room.” She actually is, which is why it pops into my head. I’m saved from more lies—or, even worse, the truth—when the door from the garage opens.
Ms. Walters comes in carrying two grocery bags. “Hello, Mai,” she says. “It’s nice to see you. I’ve got plenty if you want to stay for dinner.”
“Thanks, but I need to go.”
I hug Josie at the door. “We’re on for Saturday.” By then, I’m hoping I can tell her everything.
Chapter Thirteen
Mai
He’s parked in the back lot of the library as requested. I park two spots down. I don’t even want our cars to be seen together. I sprint to his car, open the door partway, slide in, and close it so fast I nearly lose a finger. I’m breathing so hard, I’m a little dizzy.
Anthony is leaning against his door, annoyingly relaxed. “You trying out for secret agent?”
“I don’t want to be seen.”
“Then don’t draw attention to yourself.”