Page 27 of We're All Liars
“Yeah. I didn’t want to know.”
“The dude has been a dick all year. And now that he’s in charge, he’s even more of a tool. Savannah said that sophomore year, he told her uniform skirt was so short it belonged on a low-cost prostitute who should be on the corner because that’s all it made guys think about.”
Um. I know he’s a jackass but damn. “Yeah. Should’ve shit in there too.”
He chuckles.
“Y’all didn’t.”
“Not me.” The laugh Neil lets out answers the question. I just shake my head and do the same—laugh. However, when it dies down, an awkward silence stretches between us. And I hate it. He’s my best friend, but there’s something uncomfortable remaining between us. I peek over as Neil takes a sip of his beer, a confident assurance radiating from him. I hate everything that’s happened this year. But I’m thankful to see him happy and not cowering down and hiding in the science lab.
Neil’s smile beams as he glances around the parking lot. “Are y’all coming back to the house?”
“Yeah. If that’s cool with you.” Of course, I know it is, but I still want to make sure. We haven’t exactly been as close as we were when his guest bedroom was pretty much my room.
“Yes,” he exclaims excitedly. “I’ve missed having you around. Savannah being there is awesome, but I miss my best friend.” Neil pauses. “And I’m worried about you.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Same. But not about me.” I take an assessment of him as I ask. “Are you okay?” He’s the one who’s had a life-altering moment this year.
“I started seeing a therapist. Again,” Neil admits quietly, like he’s embarrassed. “I’ll never outright tell her what happened that night. But she is helping me deal with everything. She actually told me the same thing you did back when you said I shouldn’t go to NAU just because Savannah was going. And I gave it some thought and decided Yale and Dartmouth are my top picks. So now I’m just waiting to see who accepts me on Ivy Day.” He motions over to Savannah. “I was so worried to tell her. I thought she was going to hate me. But she wants to come with me. She applied to schools within a reasonable commute of my choices. So we each will follow our own plan but together and away from here. Does that make sense?” He laughs as I nod, and he continues with a little less humor in his tone. “We both agreed that we want a change of scenery after what happened.”
“Don’t blame you a bit. And I’m happy for you and Savannah.” I’m so fucking happy for them, but mostly him. Because Neil has someone who will be there for him. His parents never were. And I haven’t even been lately because I’ve been stuck on my own issues and up Morgan’s ass.
“Have you decided what you’re doing after graduation yet?”
I effortlessly seek out Morgan, my thoughts not so easy to sort through. Because I’m over here doing exactly what I told Neil not to do. Because I’m not going anywhere without her. “I don’t know.” She hasn’t mentioned uni other than to say she won’t attend NAU because her dad is affiliated with it.
“Well, thankfully we have time, right?” Neil says.
We should. There’s still another semester left in the new year. So why does it feel like I’m running out of time and need to do something fast before everything slips away?
26
CADE
The week passed by in a chaotic blur. Coach kept preaching about maintaining a steady pace, getting to the finish line, and not wearing ourselves down. And I tried, but I’m fucking exhausted, and it’s only halftime. Archbishop Mathis is putting up a harder fight than last time, and that was when I had a game-ending injury in the last few minutes. There’s still a nip of pain in my knee, but nothing that alarms me.
“Watch the fucker. He’s getting desperate. And we know what happened last time he was in that spot.” Topher points at the jackass that made the dirty hit last month. Sanders. And the asshole is staring me down. I wouldn’t know his name if it wasn’t on the back of his jersey. The only problem we have is one will lose and one will win. But he made it personal last time. He won’t get another chance to take a cheap shot on me again.
“I can handle him.” Part of me had hoped the Wildcats wouldn’t face the Eagles in this rematch. But I’m actually grateful now. It’ll make the victory even sweeter. Last game we won home field advantage. This time we’ll secure our spot in the state championship.
Coach calls a huddle and gives us the same pep talk he always does before, during, and after every game. I try to keep focused, but I’m ready to get on the field and get this shit done.
Shortly after the third quarter begins, it’s time for offense to take the field. As soon as the first play is called, the ball is snapped and the stupid lug is fighting his way to me but is held off by my right guard. Quickly handing off the pass to Zulich, he’s about two yards short of the first down when he’s tackled.
Coach wants us to run the clock down, especially since the game is tied. I want to put numbers on the board. I trust my defense enough to let them do their job so that’s what I do. Instead of calling the play to just push through the pile and get the yards, I Hail Mary that shit into the end zone where Becks is wide open and waiting. Touchdown. Saint Juliet takes the lead.
Which means I’ll have an even bigger target on my back. And when I spot Sanders walking my way, I don’t miss how he moves straight into my path. In no time, he’s on me, his shoulder pad slamming against mine.
My automatic reaction is to shove him. “Back the fuck up.”
He quickly turns, his chest crashing into mine, his helmet hitting mine. “What are you gonna do about it, bitch?” Whistles start blowing, players surround us, and I think he says something like “I’m gonna fuck your other knee up next” before we’re pulled apart, neither of us quick enough to throw a punch.
Coach is at my side, yelling for me to get off the field. And after a few minutes, we’re all back on the sidelines, and special teams head out to secure the extra point.
“What the fuck was that, Crawford?” Couch shouts at me.
“He was in my fucking face.”