Part 16 (2/2)

Was he confused or just surprised I'd been invited to one. I mean, it was his fault I hadn't gone to Ben's pool party.

”You know,” I kept talking. ”Just a barbeque.”

”Where?”

I thought of lying and saying it was Rachel's thing. I mean, anyone would believe that. Rachel was the social one, constantly dragging me places. People didn't think it was weird I was there because they didn't notice I was there.

”Actually, Justin Parker invited me. I don't think you know him. He plays baseball.”

There was a really long pause. You know, the kind that makes you want to say, ”h.e.l.lo?” even though you're ninety-nine percent sure the other person is still there.

I tried to picture Chris on the phone piecing everything together. Was he angry? Annoyed? I'd told him I wasn't hanging out with Luke and technically that was true. But of course he'd be there, I mean it was at his house and all.

”Parker as in Luke?”

In the background, I heard a car horn.

”Yeah. Justin's his brother.”

”So, you're going to be hanging out at Parker's house?”

The horn sounded over his phone again.

”Well, yeah. That's where the barbeque is.”

”Babe-” The horn blared, someone was laying on it now and not letting up. The neighbors must love them. I heard the squeaking of a screen door and Chris shouting, the phone still inches from his mouth. ”Hang on, alright? I've got someone on the phone.”

The door slammed shut and he was back. ”You know, I thought you said you weren't hanging out with Parker.”

”I'm not. I'm hanging out with Justin.”

”Amy.” I could hear the frustration in his voice. ”He's probably sucked his brother into helping him get on the team by getting on your good side. They're going to try to get info out of you and twist you into helping him get the spot on the team.”

”No. It isn't like that. Justin and Jared invited us on the spot after dinner last night while we were shopping for a phone for Rachel.”

”Who the h.e.l.l is Jared?”

”Justin's twin. It was just one of those spur of the moment things after dinner.”

”Wait, you had dinner with these guys?”

”Not really. They joined us when we were done. And then, you know, walked us to the plaza. ”

Even I realized that was starting to sound like one of those non-date date things.

”Chris, it was just an accidental meet-up and invite.” I had a quick flash of why am I defending myself followed by a steady wave of just keep the peace. ”It's not like-”

”Are you almost ready?” The voice in the background was very clearly female. Very clearly Cheryl.

I suddenly felt less than a dire need to explain. Far less. Actually, I was beginning to wonder if maybe I should be the one demanding answers.

And then I thought, Why bother?

”So, it's no big deal. You go do whatever it is you and Cheryl are doing and I'll see you tomorrow at the scrimmage.”

I heard the m.u.f.fled sound of his phone being covered and voices... annoyed voices.

”I have to go, but let's talk about this. Monday. After the scrimmage.”

It wasn't even a question.

”I may be hanging out with Rachel.”

”Don't be like that-”

”Chris,” the whine sounded over the phone again. ”We're going to be late. Can't you talk in the car?”

”You know what, fine. Monday.” I answered as if I was there with them. ”I really have to get my run in this morning. You guys have fun.”

”Ah...”

I took that as ”Okay. Thanks. You too,” and hung up.

I don't know if my inner diva was coming out, but it felt good to a.s.sert myself. Even if I'd been a little rude.

And besides, I was looking forward to going to the Parkers'. The twins were fun, Tom was my boy and-as much as I hated to admit it-I wouldn't say no to another mom-hug from Mrs. Parker.

It was time to stop putting everything on hold for a guy who may or may not have a girlfriend. Actually, for either guy who may or may not have a girlfriend. It was becoming apparent my power of invisibility was beginning to fail-well, with people not related to me-so, I might as well start having a life of my own.

Chapter 21.

Perky McPerky-I'm sorry, Rachel-picked me up early that evening. She busted in and changed my hair, clothes, and lack of makeup in a twirl-a-whirl of fas.h.i.+on the cast of What Not To Wear would have been proud of. All the while overflowing with excited happiness. And why wouldn't she? She was in the middle of one of her love-at-first sight binges. On top of that, she'd actually managed to fall for a guy who did the same thing.

The drive to the Parkers' consisted of a rapid-fire interrogation about Jared and his family between lip gloss reapplications. I doubt I could have told her anything she hadn't already learned since it sounded like she'd spent most of the day either on the phone with Jared, IMing Jared, texting Jared, or Twittering about Jared.

And the best news? Katie's parents really had shown up to claim her.

I almost wish we had been there for that. I had to wonder what kind of parents raised a girl who appeared so perfect, but was really just a fruitcake looking for a Bundt pan to cling to.

Jared met us at the door, barefoot, tan and taller than Rachel. I guess I could see the appeal. He had the Parker lopsided smile thing waiting for her and she lit up at it.

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