Better Off Friends

I knew it must’ve been close because the only voice I could hear was Macallan’s, and she was being more intense than usual. When I crossed the finish line, it took me several yards to get down to a jog. I looked next to me and Ian was right by my side.

“It’s go

I could only nod. I hadn’t yet fully recovered.

He patted me on my back.

Ian and I had formed a sort of truce after the near-cheating incident. I was more upset with him for what he’d done to Macallan, though she didn’t seem as bothered by it as I would’ve been. But I guessed that when you’ve been through everything she had, breaking up with a boyfriend in high school wasn’t the worst loss.

“Branigan, Rodgers, good job!” Coach Scharfenberg called to us as we slowly made our way back to the team.

The coaches and officials spent a few minutes going over the official times.

“Hey, you coming out after?” Ian asked me.

“Yeah.” The guys on the varsity team always went out after the meets. It usually involved a lot of food and Gatorade.

“Awesome job!” Andy handed me some water.

“Thanks, you killed it in the two hundred.”

“Totally.” Tim came up and patted Andy on the back. “Although let’s face it, I smoked the relay. As I do.”

I actually had guy friends. Like, real guy friends. Once I’d made varsity (the only sophomore to do so), I’d started hanging out with Tim and Andy, both juniors. They were these cool guys who were really supportive. I would just relax and try not to get too giddy whenever they’d ask me to do stuff.

I did have to break plans with Macallan a few times, but I knew she was happy for me. Plus, she always pla

I stared at the scoreboard, willing the times to be posted. And it was close.

Ian had beaten me by one-tenth of a second.

One-tenth.

In some ways, I would rather have lost by a second. Races this close always haunted me. I didn’t think I had anything left in me, but I couldn’t help but think if I’d only pushed myself a little faster, only two-tenths faster, I would’ve won.

“Good job, man!” Ian patted me on the back.

“Congrats — you earned it.”

I went over to the side where Macallan and Danielle were waiting.

“Hey.” I tried to smile.

“You were great!” Macallan exclaimed, and gave me a big hug. I felt so embarrassed because not only had I lost, but I was covered in sweat.

I shrugged, not willing to accept the compliment. Especially when it wasn’t warranted.

“Come on — you’re a sophomore,” she reminded me. “Second place is amazing. You’ll totally get it next time.”

Yeah, when Ian was no longer on the team.

Macallan grabbed my shoulders and started shaking me. “Earth to Levi! You were incredible. We’re going to Culver’s — frozen custard on me!”

“As much as I’d love to see you open your wallet for a change, I’m going out with the guys.” I playfully messed up her hair.

She swatted my hand away. “Oh, right, guy time. Manly time. Bro time. Oh, wait, is that a smile I see?” She scrunched up her face and pretended she was searching for clues in my face. “Yep, there’s definitely a smile cracking. You know what will probably get a huge grin is quality time spent around dudes. Yep, manly men, doing manly things.”

“Too bad,” Danielle joined in. “Macallan and I were going to have a lingerie pillow fight.”

“Totally.” Macallan’s eyebrows went up and down. “And to think, there was something else I was going to do. I don’t know, it was on the edge of my lips.” She playfully puckered her lips and tapped them. “Hmm, don’t know what it was.”

“You’re awful.” I desperately tried to get the thought of Macallan and Danielle in lingerie out of my mind. That was up-and-down cruel. I sometimes thought Macallan forgot I was a guy. And we have certain responses that are difficult to control.

“I’m only teasing.” She bumped her hip against mine.

Yes, tease was the appropriate word.

“I’ve got to hit the showers.” A very, very cold shower.

“Have fun tonight. Really.” She gave me another big hug. Which didn’t help my current situation. “I’m proud of you and I’ll see you tomorrow. Now go have fun with the boys.”

“Yes, be super manly,” Danielle said.

They both laughed and walked away.

“Dude.” Andy followed me into the locker room. “There’s no way I can ask her to prom, even if I promise to be a gentleman?”

I shook my head. No way.

“It’s pretty cruel that you parade her around me, but it’s all look, don’t touch.”

Join the club, I thought.

Tim and Andy had been working with me on my catching skills. Even Keith had joined us a few times and thought I could play, actually play, on the varsity team the next year.

This was the life I’d dreamed of when we drove to Wisconsin four years ago. Being with a crew, being popular. I didn’t care how shallow it sounded. It was true.

I walked to classes in a group. I hung out with a group. My group. Girls were paying more attention to me.

It was about two weeks after Macallan and I had shared that sweaty hug when I was with my crew at our after-meet di

“California!” Andy started slamming his hands against the table.

Tim joined him with his fists banging. “California, come on!” Soon the entire table was chanting my nickname.

I picked up the milk shake and chugged the entire thing. I didn’t care that I could hardly taste it or that the cold burned my throat. My guys were cheering me on.

“Dude!” Andy laughed. “That was insane. Twenty-six seconds. You totally crushed Tim’s time.”

“Won’t be the last time that happens,” I boasted, ignoring the instant pounding in my head from brain freeze.

Andy straightened up a bit and ran his hands quickly over his hair. He then jutted his chin out. “What’s up, Macallan?”

I turned around to see that Macallan had walked in with Danielle. They took a corner table.

“Dude, come on,” Andy pleaded. “Ask her to join us.”

I couldn’t tell if the lurch I felt was from slamming a milk shake or Andy’s constant insistence on being set up with Macallan.

Andy took my silence as a non-invitation for Macallan to join us. He seemed to concede … but then he popped out of his seat and headed over to her table.

I could only see part of Macallan’s face as Andy approached. She looked confused at first, then gave him a big grin. Andy said something that made her laugh and I jumped up.

“What’s going on?” I put my arm around Andy and gave Macallan an apologetic look. “Is he bothering you?”

“I’m inviting these lovely ladies over to our table.” Andy bowed his head.

Danielle picked up her menu and refused to look up. Her tolerance for “stupid boy shenanigans” was about as high as Macallan’s.

I knew the only way to get Andy to leave was to make him jealous.

“Hey, you.” I pushed Andy aside and sat down next to Macallan. “What are you getting?” I rested my chin on her shoulder for extra effect. “Let me guess, tuna melt?”

“Maybe …” I saw her give Danielle a look that resulted in a conspiratorial smirk.

Quiet settled on the table. Andy excused himself, but I wanted to wait a few more minutes just to make a point that nobody else was allowed to be at this table.

“I’m going to go wash my hands.” Danielle got up and left.

I moved over to her side of the booth. “So what’s going on?”

Macallan shrugged. “Not much. Are you coming to Sunday night supper?”

“I can’t — I’ve got something at Keith’s. But Mom and Dad are still coming.”

She looked down at the menu again. This place had only about three things she would eat, so I didn’t know why she needed to study it so much.