Damaged: A Violated Trust (Secrets) by Melody Carlson Read Free Book Online Page B

storm out?” I ask cautiously as I squirt mustard on my hot dog.
    “Just a fight, I think.” Libby sticks a straw in her soda. “They have them fairly regularly.”
    “Oh …”
    We go back to the stands and I’m trying not to obsess over what is a real possibility — was the fight over me? Did Emery see him talking to me? Did he tell her he was coming to my house for guitar lessons tomorrow? Or am I just being paranoid?
    We sit in the stands, eating our makeshift meal, and I try not to worry about all this as I watch the cheerleaders down there doing routines and trying to get the pregame crowd excited about the upcoming game. The jazz band is here in full force and Zach is part of it, playing trombone and wearing a goofy hat. So much for his John Lennon image.
    Finally, it’s time to announce the team, and I feel slightly breathless as I hear Harris Stephens’s name over the loudspeaker. “A senior this year, starting quarterback …” The statistics echo meaninglessly through my head as I look down at him in his black and gold uniform. Who knew football players looked so hot in their uniforms? I stare directly at him and I could swear he’s looking straight back at me. I even smile and he smiles back. I am in heaven!
    Okay, this would not be my mom’s definition of heaven by any means. In fact, if she could read my mind right now, she’d probably have the exact opposite place lined up for me. Because I am imagining myself kissing him. That’s right — K-I-S-S-I-N-G! And the warmth that fills me is almost overwhelming. But I try to act natural.
    The opposing team kicks off and I follow Libby’s reactions as each play unfurls, but the whole time my eyes are on Harris — and Harris only. Whether he’s on the field and I’m watching in trepid fear, hoping he doesn’t get injured, or if he’s on the sidelines and I’m staring at his back, at the number on his shirt. My new lucky number is eight! I cannot take my eyes off that boy!
    By the time the game ends — and we win — I am a raving lunatic football fan, yelling, “We’re number one! Tigers are number one!”
    “Come on!” Libby grabs my arm. “What are you waiting for?”
    Just like that, we, along with a bunch of others, are pouring onto the field, which is apparently okay, and congratulating the players. To my surprise, Buck Anderson comes over and gives me a big bear hug, lifting me right off the ground.
    “Great game!” I gasp as he sets me back down on the turf.
    “Thanks! You coming to the celebration party?”
    “I … uh … I don’t know …” I see Harris coming my way now. At least I hope he is, but since Emery is in between us, I’m not sure how this will go down. But he just gives her a stony look, barely tipping his head, then moves past her and — to my utter amazement — comes over to me.
    “Glad you could make it, Haley.”
    Buck looks surprised, glancing from me to Harris like he’s adding this up.
    “Great game,” I tell him, wishing for something wittier to say.
    “Thanks.”
    Now I give him my flirty smile. “You make watching football fun.”
    Harris laughs. “Thanks.”
    “Sorry to hear about your breakup,” I say loudly.
    “Really?” His voice is lower.
    I shrug. “Well, I’m sure it’s difficult, you know, after being together for so long.”
    He slips an arm around me, giving me a sideways squeeze, the way my brother used to do when he was okay. “You’re all right, Haley.”
    I giggle. “Thanks.”
    “Wait for me outside the locker room, okay?”
    I feel another dizzying rush going to my head as I nod. “Okay.”
    As I walk back to the bleachers with Libby, I want to pinch myself. This has to be a dream — a really great dream. And I do not want to wake up!

...[CHAPTER 6].................
     
    “W hat’s going on with you and Harris?” Libby asks with a slightly suspicious look.
    “Nothing,” I assure her. “I mean, other than being friends.And I’m going to give him guitar