The Good Girls

Chapter 29

UMA ADJUSTED HER UDUB CHEERLEADER costume and tumbled out of her car, which was parked a few doors down from Freddie's house in South Auaradon, one of the prettiest areas in town. She could already hear the bass pounding inside, and a bunch of kids were standing on the lawn, drinking out of not-very-covert red Solo cups. One of the kids was Corey Travers, who was on the boys' varsity soccer team even though he was only a freshman. "Hey, ladies!" he called out. "Great game!"

Uma and Vanessa—whom Uma had picked up on the way—beamed. Corey was referring to their game against Franklin, which had taken place earlier that day. They'd totally dominated, and Uma felt great about it, especially since it had been her first game as captain.

Vanessa, who was dressed as a Viking—naturally, given that "Viking" was her nickname—elbowed Uma in the ribs. "He's cute."

"He's jailbait!" Uma laughed.

"That doesn't stop you," Vanessa teased, her eyes glinting. Then she glanced at Harry, who had finally climbed out of Caitlin's passenger front seat and was walking a few paces behind them.

Uma blushed and swatted her head, knocking Vanessa's helmet off-kilter. Vanessa just laughed and sauntered into the thick of the crowd, tossing her long blond braids and waving around her plastic shield.

Uma stopped to let Harry catch up to her. He'd been silent on the ride over, and he looked sort of pinched and sour as he trudged through Freddie's yard. "Ignore her," she said quickly, hoping that Harry didn't take offense at the jailbait comment. "She's really nice once you get to know her, I promise."

"Mm-hmm," Harry said.

They stepped inside, and Harry's lips pressed together as he surveyed the crowd. He looked uptight and annoyed. Uma poked him playfully with one finger, but he just stood there, looking uncomfortable in the lumberjack costume she'd cobbled together for him out of stuff in her garage. This wasn't his scene. If it were up to Harry, they'd be in his basement tonight, watching Dr. Who and making out.

"Check out that skeleton!" Uma crowed in an overly positive voice, pointing to a life-sized version on the porch. Then she beamed at a kid inside with a brown alien mask on. "And isn't that a character from Star Trek: The Next Generation?"

"A bad version of him, yeah," Harry said sourly.
Uma grabbed his hand. "Come on. Let's get some beer." Maybe Harry would cheer up once he was a little buzzed.

The living room was packed and sweaty, and most of the kids were already drunk. Several boys were doing kegstands in the corner, and a huge group was toasting with neon-green Jell-O shots. Uma kept a smile pasted on her face the whole time, but she could sense Harry's distaste. Cam Washington, who was also on the boys' soccer team, came up to her and slapped her hard on the back. "Congrats on the two goals today," he slurred, his breath smelling boozy.

"Thanks," Uma said in a chipper voice. She gestured to Harry. "You know Harry Hook, right?"

Cam glanced at Harry, his eyes at half-mast. "Uh, no. Don't think we've met."

Harry's jaw hardened. He stared at Cam's outstretched hand but didn't shake it. Uma knew exactly what he was thinking: Cam had met Harry a zillion times. He was one of Gil's good friends and was always at their house. He was implying that Harry wasn't important enough to remember.

Then another voice boomed. "Uma!"

Uma looked across the room. Gil, dressed as David Beckham circa his Manchester United days, sat on a chair, his bad ankle propped up on an ottoman. By the look of his spinning eyes, Uma guessed that he'd had several beers already. She gave him a little wave, and he waved back. "Are you going to sign my cast?" he asked loudly, holding up a big Sharpie.