Narrow Paths

Chapter Sixteen

Football practice the next day was brutal. The closer we got to the beginning of the new school year, the harder Coach Greene pushed us. We spent most of our time running drills and trying to get the freshman to understand what they were supposed to do.

After practice, I showered in the locker room. I was in my truck about to start it when my phone went off. I checked it to see that I had a message from Katie.

I wasn't sure if I was more terrified by the fact that Katie had texted me or the possibilities of what the message could say.

Do you think you could meet me at the diner in five minutes? Alone?

I swallowed the lump in my throat. If I went, people would surely see us and it would diffuse the tension at home. Plus, I'd have a chance to talk to Katie.

Sure.

I started up my truck and pulled out of the parking lot, heading toward the diner. I was a bit surprised that I was taking a risk without Darcy having to shove me into it.

She was sitting in the same booth that we'd sat at just days before. She was focused on something in her lap, so she didn't notice me come in. I sat down across from her and rapped my knuckles on the table.

She jerked her head up and stared at me in shock. I'd never seen her look like a deer in the headlights before, but today she was doing a pretty good impression.

She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and stared at me. I smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

"Oh, hi, there. I didn't see you."

"You might want to get your eyes checked, I've been here for half an hour."

"What?!"

I laughed. "Just kidding."

She pulled a face at me. Sherrie seemed to finally notice that we were sitting there, because she came over with two glasses of cola.

"The usual, kids?"

"Of course, Sherrie." I replied. Katie nodded and Sherrie ran off toward the kitchen.

"So, I'm assuming I'm here for a reason."

She bit her lip and fiddled with the straw in her glass. "Yeah."

"And that reason is?"

"Are you dating Darcy?" She blurted, looking up at me with a curious expression.

"Nope."

She breathed a deep sigh of relief and laughed nervously. I humored her by laughing along with her.

"Is that all?"

She shook her head and continued to play with the straw in her drink. I gently kicked her leg beneath the table. She jumped up a little, surprised.

"Well, uhmm.... I was wondering what you were doing next Saturday."

"I'm not sure, to be honest. But I'm going to assume nothing. Why?"

"I'm asking you on a date."

"I know."

"Then why'd you ask?"

"Because I want to know why you're asking me on a date."

"Because I miss you, okay?"

"The feeling is mutual."

"Why did we even break up in the first place?" She asked quietly, lying her head on the table.

"It was because of me. I felt... well, I felt pressured. Not by you, trust me. You're one of the most relaxed people I know."