The Romeo Club

“I want you each to join a club or group at school. We need to start pulling you out of your comfort zones and force you to try new things.” With a wave, I headed toward the stairs. But before I made my escape, Trey caught up to me.

“So, I wondered if I can watch the rest of those dance shows tonight.”

“Sure. Just let me put my stuff away and get cleaned up.” After I threw my things in my bedroom, I took a quick shower then stopped in the kitchen to grab a pop and a cookie. Once I got situated on the couch, I turned on the reality show.

The first couple came out. Trey leaned back, a sneer on lips. “If this dude’s pants get any tighter, they’ll have to give the show an X rating.”

I giggled. “Him? Geez, that chick’s shirt might as well be a pair of band aids.”

“I bet if you were on here, you’d probably wear some leopard print bikini with a tail.” He nudged me in the ribs. “You could have some jungle themed music and swing from ropes.”

“You wish.” I took sip of pop then set the can down.

“Yeah, then I could take pictures and embarrass the hell out of you.”

“Like you should talk. You’d be the guy in a leather-thong with your ass cheeks hanging out.”

Trey launched himself at me and caught me in a headlock. He rubbed his fist in my hair.

“Hey, stop.” I laughed, struggling to get out of his grasp. “You’re missing your show.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” He released me.

“Um—maybe.” I nodded toward the new couple wearing matching teal outfits.

“God. Kill me now.” He fell backward covering his face with the back of his hand. “Too. Much. Spandex.”

I busted out laughing. We sat admiring the cool and not so cool costumes. After a few minutes, I glanced at him. “So, why Portia? I mean, she doesn’t really seem like your type.”

Trey shrugged. “She’s nice.”

“And beautiful.” I bumped him with my shoulder. “But seriously, you have nothing in common. I figured you’d go for someone, I don’t know, less flighty and more down to earth. Someone who can have an intelligent conversation with you.”

He bit his fingernail then snorted. “Like you should talk. Rex isn’t exactly Mr. Conversation. The only thing he ever talks about is sports. And if he’s not talking about baseball or football or track then he’s trying to give you a tonsillectomy with his tongue.”

I opened my mouth to protest. Is he right? Did Rex ever really talk to me about anything meaningful?

“Yeah, but in his defense, sports is what we have in common. I mean, I like them too.”

“But you’re into other things—like video games, Sci-Fi flicks, gardening, swimming. I know you’ve been dating him for a while, but do you two ever talk about real things? Does he even know you?”

“Of course.” I folded my knees and drew them to my chest. For the rest of the show, I pondered whether Trey was right. Did Rex know me at all? Heck, did I really know him?

Chapter 11

Hot cheese strung out in front of me as I took a bite of pizza. The cafeteria buzzed with conversations and laughter. Rex sat beside me, his hand rubbing my shoulder as he talked to Bart Sandersville.

“Did you see Klemintz steal home last night?” Rex said. “He should’ve been tagged out.”

Bart snorted. “You’re just pissed because the Tigers lost again.”

They bantered back and forth about the game, then switched to talking about the Mets. And after that, they switched to golf.

Oh God. Trey’s right. My boyfriend had a one track mind. Maybe he was just consumed by it today. My mind wandered back, trying to think of other conversations we’d had recently. Let’s see. We’d talked about spending time together. My soccer practice. His track practice. The Tigers game. His golf outing with his dad. His football scholarship in the fall. Every last thing we’d spoken about had to do with sports.

I glanced across the crowded room to where Trey sat with the Nerd Herd. They seemed so confident and okay with who they were. They had no problem being the “dorky guys.” For the first time, I wondered if maybe they should be giving me lessons in how not be shallow, or better yet, how to embrace showing off my inner nerd. As if sensing my gaze, Trey looked up and waved. I smiled and waved back.

“Del, tell Bart about the goal you made against Oakley last week.” Rex tapped my arm. “My girl has mad skills on the field.”

“And in the room?” Bart winked.

“Don’t be a perv.” Rex kicked him under the table.

My face burned. What the heck did Bart mean by that? With a sigh, I pretended to ignore the comment and went on to tell him about my penalty shot.

***

The bus bumped along the road, jarring my knee against the metal side of the vehicle. Kenadi sank down next to me, propping her legs on the seat in front of ours. We had an away game in Cedar today, which lucky for us was only a twenty-five minute ride. Any longer with this bus driver at the wheel and someone would have to peel us off the ceiling. I swear she hit every pothole, curb, and pile of road kill on the street.