the inuendo.
“We’re just friends,” she said. “He’s like my brother.”
Zara grinned. “It sounds like we have our in.”
Callie’s eyes widened. “An ‘in’? I don’t think he’s tight enough with Beckett to set up a date right after he and Merritt split.”
Something about this morning stuck out. “What’s going on with them? I can’t believe they broke up before homecoming.”
Callie shrugged. “I heard he told her he wants to focus on football, but Carson said he thinks it’s more than that.”
I looked between the two, Beckett and Merritt. If there was a predestined couple, it was them. Quarterbacks and cheerleaders were like magnets in the world. They found each other, for whatever reason. Maybe because a cheerleader’s main job was to stroke the football team’s ego. Among other things.
But how could I be a follow-up to Merritt? She looked like a teen model in her short white shorts and high flouncy ponytail. She probably didn’t get boob sweat in the summer and didn’t need to know how high a store’s sizing options went. If Beckett could have all of that, why would he be interested in all of this?
I sighed. “I don’t know, guys.”
“It’s an opening,” Zara said. “The main thing is you show that you’re different from her.”
I snorted. “That should be easy.”
“Look at me,” Zara snapped. “If this is going to work, you have to stop that whole self-deprecation schtick.” Her black eyes gleamed severely. “You have everything you need to get him to fall for you. There is nothing wrong with you.”
I didn’t believe her—not one bit—but I nodded. “Okay.”
“Good.” She nodded, then turned to Callie. “Your boy’s going to get us an in. Can we trust him to keep it a secret?”
Callie nodded earnestly. “I’d trust him with my life.”
Zara turned back to me. “In the meantime, how much do you know about flirting?”
I put my head in my hands just thinking about this morning. “Well, if this gives you an idea, I saw Beckett at the doctor’s office this morning, and I said ‘um’ more than actual words.”
She put her forehead in her palm. “We’ve got some work to do.”
I nodded. “A colossal amount.”
“Let me think,” she said. “In the meantime, enjoy the show. See what you can figure out about him besides how cute his butt looks.”
My cheeks turned pink, but I kept my gaze on him. There was plenty to study besides his butt. On the field, the players were running lines, back and forth, their muscles working in unison. I watched Beckett bend to touch a line painted in the turf, his calves and arms flexing with the movement.
Whatever Zara’s plan was, it had to include magic. In the meantime, I needed to do some research of my own.
Five
I walked into the house and dropped my backpack on the bench by the front door. I could hear noise coming from the kitchen—Mom cooking—and started up the stairs.
Two voices came through the open doorway to Aiden’s room. His girlfriend had been a fixture at our place for the last two years, and as much as I hated going to someone younger for help, I needed their advice.
I peeked my head through the open door and caught them lying on top of the blankets, their heads together as music played softly through the speakers.
They did that sometimes. Just sat quietly together like there weren’t any words that needed to pass between them. They’d all been spoken.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hi,” Casey replied, sitting up.
Aiden propped himself up too, leaning against the gray headboard. “What’s up, sis?”
I picked at my nails. “I need some...advice. About relationships.”
His smirk earned him a glare, which he ignored.
“Step into my office,” he said, pointing to the giant beanbag chair near his desk.
“Uh huh.” I pulled out the rolling desk chair, sitting there instead.
Mischief still glinted in his eyes, but Casey had a kind smile on her face. Even though she went to the public high school in Seaton, I knew her better than most of my classmates. But she was Aiden’s girlfriend before she was my friend.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“There’s this guy, and I don’t know how to get his attention,” I grinded out the words, hating every minute of this. I was the older sister. Shouldn’t I have been imparting sisterly wisdom on him?
“Easy,” Aiden said. “Don’t.”
My brows came together. “What?”
“If he’s not already interested, he’s not worth your time.” He gave me an actual smile, not one of the teasing ones I usually got. “Just be yourself.”
“That’s not exactly