Page 48

Finally the tournament ends, and players start to slowly file out from the back room. Quite a few stop to chat with Dad. He seems to know almost everyone by name. I’ve noticed some of them don’t buy anything but instead come in carrying satchels and boxes of game supplies. It’s a weird business strategy to encourage people to use the space without requiring them to spend money in the store, but it certainly makes for a jovial atmosphere.

Many of the players wave goodbye to me, and one jokes that I should’ve been back there singing show tunes to give him good luck. It’s strange that many of them knew about me long before I showed my face in this store, but I appreciate that they’ve all been nice.

Nathan comes through the game room door alone and agitated.

“What’s wrong?” I ask. My thoughts immediately jump to Sophia. Maybe they got in an argument?

“Lucas texted that he had to catch up on homework, but I don’t know. It’s not like him to blow off Pokémon like that.”

“I’m sorry. Maybe he really did have a lot of work?” I frown. “Or he’s with Hoshiko…”

“And didn’t tell me? Do you think so?”

“I’m not sure. She hasn’t said anything to me about it either.” I shrug. “Though I have to say, I’m surprised you’re thinking about Lucas with Sophia around.” I try to give a small innocent smile, as if I’m not digging for dirt.

He shrugs. “It’s cool that she came by to hang out.”

“Where is she? Did I miss her leaving?”

“She went to the bathroom, but she’ll be back out in a second.”

“Cool.”

Sigh. I guess things are still going well between them. Just then my phone rings with a call from Mom.

“Hold on.” I answer the phone. “Hey, Mom. Are you on your way already?” Most days Mom picks me up from the store after I finish my shift.

“I’m caught up here at the Davidson’s house. The kitchen cabinets were installed upside down and the husband is having a fit. It’s going to be a late night.”

“Ugh, I’m sorry. I’ll ask Dad instead.”

“Okay. And, while I have you…your father called me today.”

“Yeah?” Hope bubbles up in me. Maybe Dad called her to say he thinks I should be allowed to go to homecoming?

“He told me you’re dating one of the boys who works at the store? Someone named Nathan?”

I yelp. Nathan turns to me in concern, but I wave him away and walk to the other side of the store.

“No! We’re not dating.”

“He sounded pretty certain. Are you sure there’s nothing to tell me?”

“I’m sorry Dad called and told you that, but Nathan and I are just friends.”

“He also told me you’d say that.”

I heave a huge sigh. “I promise we’re not actually dating.”

There’s a moment of silence on the phone and I assumeshe’s deliberating. “I believe you.” She chuckles. “Joel’s enamored with the guy, though.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s over the top.” I roll my eyes.

“He wants Nathan to start driving you to the store after school. He said it’s a waste of gas for him to pick you up when this boy is driving to the same place—which I guess is true—but I don’t know, Riley. Did you put your father up to this?”

I stumble and catch myself on the nearest shelf. Dad wants me to ride with Nathan? A trill of joy runs through me at the idea of more opportunities to hang out and make fun of his music choices, though I’m surprised Dad suggested it. I thought he liked the extra time together. I can’t imagine a few miles a day would use that much gas.

“I definitely didn’t ask him,” I tell her fervently. “I had no idea he was even thinking about that.”