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I huff out a breath and lean forward. “Isla, what’s going on? You’ve been avoiding me for over a week.”
“Nothing’s going on, and I’m not avoiding you. I’m busy with school and practice.” She shrugs, her gaze sliding away from me. “Plus, with Elena moving to Boston, I have a lot to think about. I’m under a lot of pressure.”
Unease rolls through me. Why isn’t she talking to me about this stuff? She always tells me about the things that are bothering her. “Have you started looking for a new coach?”
She tucks her chin, fiddling with the corner of her book. “Mom is looking into it.”
“Good. I’m sure she’ll find someone as great as Elena.”
“Uh-huh.”
“What else is new with you?” I rest my forearms on the table between us. “Turner said you were helping him with an essay.”
“Yes, I was.” A hint of a smile plays at her lips. “He got an A.”
I smile too, despite how weirdly nervous I am. “That’s awesome. Thanks to you, he has a shot at becoming an A student.”
“Maybe.” She tilts her head to the side. “What’s new with you? Anything interesting to report?”
I open my mouth to tell her about the dare. It’s time to get it over with. I heave out a breath, but the words won’t come. Because what if I tell her, and it ruins the pact? Fuck, I’m not ready for that. The kiss meant nothing. It wasn’t even really a kiss, and I absolutely didn’t want it.
Because I still want my first kiss to be with her.
“Nothing, really. School, practice, games.” I crook a smile, hoping it doesn’t look as forced as it feels. “Dad is helping me with driving lessons. All good.”
Silently, she examines my face. Then, she pulls her scrunchie off her wrist and twirls her hair into a messy bun. That unreadable look is back. “That’s really good to hear, Michael.”
My heart is lodged in my throat, but I barrel on, determined to break through the awkwardness. “Did you see the announcement? About the Harvest Ball?”
“Yeah.” She laces her fingers. “Some girls in class were talking about it.”
“Aren’t you interested in going?”
She lifts a shoulder. “Not really. You know parties and dances aren’t my forte.”
“But you promised you’d give at least one school event a chance. Have you already forgotten that?” I quirk an eyebrow.
Her eyes flare, her mask finally cracking a little, her jaw clenched tight. She’s definitely holding back, keeping something from me.
“I remember every promise we’ve made.” She tsks. “I’ll think about it.”
Sweat breaks out at my temples, but I continue. “That’s good,” I tell her. “I’d love it if you came.”
She traces her finger over the title of the book, her gaze downcast. “You were at Jones’ birthday party, right? Cade told me it was fun.”
My stomach drops. For just a second—one tiny, stupid second—I wonder if she knows about the dare. The sweat has spread. It’s now dripping down my back, making me fidgety. Does Cade know? Did he tell her? What if he made it sound like more than it was? Or someone else did? The thought alone makes my pulse spike. This isn’t a conversation to be had in the middle of lunch, with people walking around and breathing down our necks, but I don’t want to lie to her either.
I clear my throat. “It was—”
“Lunch is almost over.” Sienna’s voice is like nails on a chalkboard.
Wincing, I snap my mouth shut.
“And I still have so many things to discuss with you.” She plops herself down beside me, her thigh pressed to mine. “Hey, hey, Isla.”
“Hi.”
Asher rounds the table, his movements stiff. As he sits, he shrugs, as if he’s apologizing for not stopping Sienna from butting in.
