back against it, looking out across the plush front lawn, away from Megan. His legs were crossed at the ankle and his blond hair shone in the sunlight.
He looked up, spotted her, and smiled. He had come to pick her up from practice. There had never been a more perfect moment in all of Meganâs life.
But oh God. What was she going to say to him alone in the car for the whole ride home? Sure, he had driven her that morning, but then Finn had been in the front seat with him and the two of them had kept each other occupied. What was she going to do? How was she going to survive this without making a complete idiot of herself?
âHey, babe!â Evan called out.
Huh?
Hailey jogged past Megan and Aimee, nearly knocking her sister over as she barreled down the pathway and directly into Evanâs arms. He lifted her off the ground and mauled her with a long, almost pornographic kiss. Megan couldnât tear her eyes away.
He has a girlfriend, Megan thought, her good mood instantly obliterated. Of course he has a girlfriend. Just look at the guy.
But why did it have to be her ?
âMy sister the PDA slut,â Aimee said under her breath.
âGet a room!â called one of Haileyâs friends from the door behind Megan, earning a round of laughter from the rest of the team.
Hailey detached herself from Evanâs face and shot them all a self-satisfied smirk. She took Evanâs hand and pulled him away from the car so she could get in. Evan opened the door for her and the moment Haileyâs butt hit the seat, she flipped down the visor to check her makeup in the mirror.
âHey, Megan. You coming?â Evan called out.
Haileyâs head snapped up and she glowered out the window.
âUh . . . yeah,â Megan replied, forcing her feet to move. âSeeyou tomorrow,â she said to Aimee. She looked at the ground and wrapped her wet hair up into a makeshift bun as she headed for the car. Evan opened the door for her, but she couldnât even look at him as she dropped into the backseat. How could he like Hailey Farmer? He was supposed to be perfect.
âSo, how was your first day?â Evan asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.
âIt was all right,â Megan replied.
âSame old same old,â Hailey said at the same time.
Hailey shot Megan a look in the rearview mirror and Evan laughed. âActually, Hails, I was talking to Megan,â he said, reaching out and putting his hand over Haileyâs. âWe all know how your first day went.â
He and Hailey exchanged a knowing look and laughed.
âWell, she made the soccer team,â Hailey said.
âCool, Megan. Congrats,â Evan said.
âThanks,â Megan said.
âSo, where did Coach put you, anyway?â Hailey added. âWe know youâre not playing center.â
Meganâs skin burned and she stared out the window.
âIâm playing left,â she said.
She saw Haileyâs sly smile in the rearview mirror. âOh, well, left is very important,â Hailey said. âYouâll be like my wingman.â
Megan rolled her eyes and stewed. It was one thing to be comeback-free around a girl like Hailey, but having it happen in front of Evan was ten times worse. Why couldnât she just stick up for herself?
âDonât mind Hailey,â Evan said. âSoccer is her life.â
Hailey shot Evan an irritated look that he didnât notice. âWeâre pretty fast up front,â she said, glancing over her shoulder. âI hope you can keep up.â
âCome on, Hails. Leonard would never have taken her if she wasnât good,â Evan said.
Megan could have kissed him. If there werenât a million obstacles, both physical and psychological, in her way, of course.
âIâm just saying,â Hailey said, raising her hands. âI just want her to be prepared, thatâs all.â
âDonât worry about me,â