Page 98 of The Cheerleader

“That’s right,” Carol says. “Mack told me about it.

“I think it’s going to be a big one,” Judy says. “Definitely the place to be.”

“I’ll be there,” Liz says, touching my arm. “We’ll be there.”

The fans are filing out, and Liz jumps up and down yelling, “Huskies! Huskies!” She waves her pom-poms, and the others join in and get the departing fans riled up.

A familiar-looking guy in the crowd stops and then grins as he comes toward me.

“Vinnie?” I’m surprised that he seems amiable and sober. But I gravitate towards Josh standing next to me just in case.

“You remember me.” He gives me a quick hug, and I back up awkwardly and uncomfortably. “Sorry. I’m Italian. I can’t help myself. What a game. Your boyfriend was unbelievable. What a player.” It confuses me for a minute that he’s so normal and friendly, unlike his behavior at the beer fest, where he got arrested, and at the Deep Throat movie.

“My boyfriend? Oh, you mean Bryan? He’s not my… we’re not together.”

He laughs. “You sure about that, Susie?”

I nod, not sure of anything. Still in disbelief how different Vinnie seems in the light of day. He’s kind of handsome with dark hair and eyes, a winning smile, and more confidence than most boys I’ve met not named Bryan or Dane.

“If that’s true, then maybe we could—” He stops talking abruptly and steps back from me.

“Great game, Bryan.” He puts out a hand for Bryan to shake as Bryan walks up behind me and stands at my shoulder, not touching, but he seems proprietary anyway.

Liz comes rushing over, and Bryan shakes Vinnie’s hand. I’m surprised, though he doesn’t smile at the guy.

“I see you’re sober.”

“Most of the time. I wouldn’t be graduating with a Civil Engineering degree next semester if I let loose too often.”

Bryan nods. Vinnie gives me a last big smile then turns to leave, saying, “Maybe we’ll see you around.”

“Was that the guy from Deep Throat?” Liz asks.

“Yeah. A rugby player. A guy with a lot of balls,” Bryan says with a note of respect.

A couple of the other guys from the team come over and start talking up the party to the cheerleaders. Liz turns her attention to them.

“See you later at the party, Bry.” She bounces away, still full of energy like it’s only half-time.

Bryan turns to me. “Come to my party.”

“Of course. Everyone’s going.”

“I meant as my personal guest.” His voice is low and deep, and his face is smudged with that black stuff under his eyes.

I feel more attracted to him than ever. My chest clenches as my heart throbs unnecessarily hard.

I stare at him, mute, because too many thoughts rush around my head, causing a buzz of crazy emotions to churn. How can he ignore the fact that Liz will be there too?

The horror of that thought is quickly followed by elation that he chose me as his personal guest, like maybe I mean something to him—something more than his tutor, maybe more than a cute cheerleader.

Or maybe personal guest is his euphemism for a girl he wants to sleep with.

“I’m not sleeping with you,” I say.

He grins, but it’s an evil grin, so I don’t count it as a smile. “I’m glad you’re still thinking about my invitation.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. You know we’re strictly friends.” That’s not strictly true because the way we kiss shouts otherwise. Without thinking it through, I add, “Like you and Liz.”