Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 163209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 816(@200wpm)___ 653(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 816(@200wpm)___ 653(@250wpm)___ 544(@300wpm)
“Last but not least,” Dallas said, taking a mailer off the top of the fridge. “William left this for you, Jeremy.” Jeremy took it, mystified, but Dallas didn’t wait for him to open it. “Off you go. Have fun, wear your sunscreen, no drinking and driving.”
They left in a chorus of thanks and farewells. Jeremy passed Laila his keys so he could open his package in the passenger seat, and he laughed in delight at the sight of French language lessons. The set included a slim book, but the bulk of the lessons were spread across eight CDs. He showed it off to Laila, who motioned to the radio. The drive was too short to make any real progress, but Laila and Jeremy were content to echo Bonjour, salut at each other as she circled for a parking spot.
Between the four of them it was easy to carry everything to where the rest of the floozies had managed to snag a volleyball net. Cody and Pat were squaring off against Ananya, Min, and Xavier. To make it even, if not at all fair, Min was riding on Xavier’s shoulders.
They relinquished the net in favor of stuffing their faces, and Pat produced a football from his bag afterward. To no one’s surprise, Jean refused to participate. Cody sat out with him, needing time to recover from the three burgers they’d eaten. The rest set to the game with glee, pouncing on each other and kicking sand everywhere. Cat managed to tackle Xavier before he could score to tie the game, and Jeremy scooped her up for a triumphant spin. As he was setting her down again, he caught a glimpse of Cody and Jean.
Cat noticed the immediate change in his mood and turned in his arms to look. Before Jeremy could decide whether he ought to go over there, Cody pushed off the blankets and started their way. Jean looked confused, not angry, but Cody’s shoulders were tense. The floozies exchanged startled looks as they collapsed to a tight group, but Cody had eyes only for Xavier.
“Jean’s pretty riled up about you getting knocked over, seeing how you’re on a no-touch jersey at practice,” Cody reported. “He asked if your heart recovered enough to take a hit like that and whether it was going to be a problem. Your heart! Turns out he’s been operating under the assumption this was heart surgery.” They waggled a hand toward the twin scars on Xavier’s chest. “Do you want to handle it, or do you want me to run interference and explain it to him?”
“Oh, I’ve got it,” Xavier said. “Sub in for me, will you? Pat’ll enjoy tackling you more, anyway.”
“Jesus,” Cody said, but obediently took the ball Xavier offered.
“Good?” Jeremy asked.
“Good,” Xavier promised as he set off.
They got the game going again, but it was more for show than anything. They missed most of their throws, too distracted sneaking peeks at the other pair. Laila plucked the ball from Min’s unresisting fingers and handed it directly to Jeremy. Jean looked baffled as Xavier tried to explain top surgery to him, which was worlds better than disgust, but then he gave a sharp jerk of his hand in violent rejection. Jeremy started that way automatically, but Xavier laughed as he got to his feet.
He jogged back toward them, and Jeremy met him halfway. Xavier paused long enough to say, “Since it has no impact on how I play, he says it’s my prerogative to fix whatever’s broken. He doesn’t understand why he should have an opinion on my personal life one way or the other.” He smiled, slow and bright, and said, “I like him, Jeremy. Let’s keep him forever.”
That Jean had grasped in seconds what it had taken some of the Trojans weeks or months to come to terms with left Jeremy almost dizzy with relief. “That’s the plan,” he said, and continued toward Jean alone.
Jean scowled as Jeremy dropped down beside him. “He said I didn’t belong on the Ravens. That is not the compliment you all seem to think it is.”
Jeremy smiled. “Sorry. We’ll try to be better about that.”
“I don’t think you will,” Jean accused him.
Jeremy drew a sun in the sand with his finger and admitted, “Probably not.”
Jean sighed, tired and aggrieved, but let it slide without further comment. They watched their teammates cavort around until it was time to pack up and move for the fireworks. The cooler’s ice was dumped in the gutter to melt while the empty bags were tossed into Jeremy’s trunk, and Cody stole the last package of cheese slices to eat on the ride.
One of the local high schools had offered up their football field for people to party in, and the place was packed by the time they made it over there. Parking was free, but entry to the field had a fee. The attendant gave Jeremy a funny look when he asked about receipts, so Laila acquired yellow wristbands for everyone in his group. A security guard ensured all bands were in place before letting them through, and the Trojans pushed forward into the chaos and music.