Chapter 27

"Shit, dude, I'm a mess." I grimaced, holding my stomach as I sat up in her bed.

Catelyn came out of the bathroom, running a brush through her soaking wet hair.

"You also need a shower, you look ratchet." Catelyn laughed, adjusting the towel around her. "Go shower, I'll figure out breakfast."

"You sure?" I asked, climbing out of her bed.

"Dude, I'm sure." Catelyn nodded, wincing as she hit a knot in her hair. "The towel on the back of the door is clean and you can borrow clothes it's whatever."

"You know, you're actually pretty cool." I admitted with a laugh, walking towards the bathroom.

"Actually?" Catelyn asked in shock, laughing slightly. "Damn, Carter."

"Okay you know what I mean." I gave her a look, hesitating in the bathroom door. "Like, you used to just be the girl that Austin was hooking up with and frequently compared me to, crippling my self esteem."

"He what?" Catelyn raised her eyebrows.

"Oh yeah, you don't even want to know the times I'd get 'you're just jealous of her body' whenever I'd give him shit for hooking up with you."

Catelyn's jaw dropped and she slowly set down her hairbrush.

"That jack ass!" Catelyn exclaimed. "You know one time he said your name during sex and was like 'oh sorry I was just thinking about how she does this like that' or something ridiculous." Catelyn told me as I walked into the bathroom to get changed.

"Damn, really?" I laughed. "I'm sorry man, that guy... He's gotta get his head straight."

"Tell me about it."

"Wait dude do you have like a garbage bag?" I called with a laugh, thinking about my arm. "Can't get the cast wet."

"Yeah under the counter!"

It wasn't until I was rinsing the conditioner out of my hair that what Catelyn said really clicked...

Austin said I did it better?

But until just a few weeks ago, we hadn't done anything together.

I gasped and slowly turned off the water.

"Catelyn!" I called, grabbing the towel from the back of the door.

I was completely soaked but didn't care as I wrapped the towel around myself and walked out of the bathroom.

"When did Austin say that thing to you?" I asked quietly, my stomach tightening with anxiety about what her answer was going to be.

"Um... Like two weeks ago? Three?" Catelyn guessed, looking up from putting on makeup.

"After the 24th?" I raised my eyebrows, trembling from both the cold and anger, already knowing what her answer was going to be.

"Yeah definitely." Catelyn nodded sincerely.

"Before he broke his foot?" I whispered, my knees shaking.

"Yes. Why?" Catelyn frowned, turning around to face me.

"Did you know he was hooking up with both of us at the same time?" I asked in shock, feeling sick to my stomach.

"He wasn't." Catelyn shook her head, her eyebrows pulling together. "You guys were just a one time thing, right?"

My jaw dropped at the ridiculous notion.

"We were doing whatever we were doing for the past month up until literally last night." I said in shock.

Catelyn's eyes widened, her mouth opening slightly.

"No..." She whispered, sinking low in her chair. "He wouldn't..."

"Well apparently he did." I said quietly, sitting down on the edge of her bed. "Oh my gosh I'm nauseous."

"That bastard." Catelyn whispered, resting her chin on her arms.

But then all of a sudden she stood up confidently and took a deep breath.

"But fuck it. Who needs him? Get dressed. We're going to your house for breakfast." Catelyn announced, smoothing down her t-shirt. "Deal?"

"My house?" I raised my eyebrows, standing up as well.

"Yeah. Your mom called while you were in the shower and apparently your grandma is making pancakes."

"Gran's over? Damn." I sighed. "It's my dad's mom, she's great but crazy." I laughed, walking back over to my clothes.

"Ew no don't put on your clothes from last night, that's ratchet considering the night you have. Borrow some of my stuff, it's fine." Catelyn told me with a smile, pointing to her closet.

"We are not the same size." I laughed, looking at her perfectly toned figure.

"Bullshit." Catelyn laughed. "You seriously think so? Damn, and I thought I had a skewed body image. Carter, you're a babe."

Twenty minutes later we were heading downstairs and I was wearing the world's comfiest sweatshirt and a pair of jeans that fit so perfectly I was genuinely considering keeping for good.

"It's great we're the same size." Catelyn commented as we rounded the corner to the kitchen.

Sure enough, I fit into her clothes perfectly, as if they were made for me.

You have no idea how much of a confidence boost that was, to have physical proof that I was the same size as the body I envied so much?

The house was shockingly clean, considering the chaos that had ensued last night.

My heart jumped into my throat at the sight of Connor sitting at the counter but I quickly pushed the feeling away.

Why did I care? I had bigger and better things to focus on... Example: as a cute guy named Jamie Ryder.

I gasped, suddenly remembering my phone had been on Do Not Disturb since last night and I hadn't checked any messages.

I quickly turned it over and scrolled through a shocking amount of notifications.

My parents were wondering where I was, but I guess that was already solved when Catelyn answered the phone and got us invited to dinner.

Jason was making sure I was safe so I quickly replied and told him not to worry.

Austin fucking Ryan texted to tell me Luke was ok.

I didn't reply. Not even for Luke's sake.

And then Jamie had texted me a few times...

First at 6:02 this morning.

*Hey! Super great meeting you tonight, hopefully see you soon :)*

And then again about ten minutes ago, just before noon.

*Lmk if you're available tonight. My brother works at this mini golf place like fifteen minutes from you and he'll get us in for free, thought it might be fun!*

I was trying to think of something cute and flirtatious to text back when I was suddenly pulled back into the life I was in, rather than my phone.

"Sleep well?" Connor was asking me as Catelyn filled up her water bottle.

"Uh, yeah yeah I did." I smiled. "You?"

"Like a baby." Connor nodded.

"Cool, Carter let's go. Pancakes sound orgasmic right now." Catelyn laughed, screwing the top on her water bottle as she walked towards the front door. "Come on come on!"

"See ya later, Connor." I laughed, quickly following my new friend outside.

See, that wasn't too bad...

Now we just had to see how breakfast with my parents, Catelyn Lewis, and Gran would go.

"Good morning!" I said happily as we walked into the kitchen.

"It's one in the afternoon, child, on what planet is that morning?" Gran called back, glancing up from the stove.

"California." I replied instantly. "Still 10 am there."

"And it's 8 pm in Tel Aviv, doesn't mean I'm drinking myself to oblivion." Gran laughed, walking towards me to give me a hug. "Hello darling."

"Hey Gran." I laughed, hugging her back. "Oh, uh, this is my friend Catelyn Lewis." I introduced, stepping back from my grandma.

"I've heard so much about you." Catelyn said happily, giving Gran her best smile.

That was true. The entire car ride over, I was telling her all about Gran's crazy antics.

"Chocolate chips or blueberries?" Gran asked, turning back to the stove. "Whatever you girls want."

"Chocolate chips." We both said at the same time, then looked at each other and laughed.

"What about Austin? Is he joining us?" Gran asked curiously, meaning absolutely no harm.

"No." I said, probably a bit too quickly.

Gran looked up in shock, raising her eyebrows.

"You two had a falling out?" Gran asked seriously, her look of shock turning into concern as she sprinkled chocolate chips on top of the cooking pancakes.

"To put it mildly." I sighed. "I don't want to talk about it, Gran, that's in the past now."

"Huh." Gran frowned. "I would've bet money on you two getting married."

"I still would." Catelyn whispered to me with a laugh.

I gave her a look as we sat down at the kitchen table that was already made.

"Where are my parents?" I asked curiously.

"Your dad's out back with some of the guys from the team. He's still angry at them for last night and-"

"But why? We won." Catelyn frowned, glancing at me curiously.

"Doesn't mean we played well." I shook my head. "Our defense was weak and our offense was all over the place. We were lucky the other team was worse." I sighed, reaching to pour myself a glass of orange juice.

"And your mother took Peanut for a walk." Gran concluded, putting the finished pancakes onto a plate. "There's six here, should I make more?"

"Gran, is that even a question?" I laughed as she walked over to the table. "Thanks. Don't let the team smell this or they'll all want some."

"Oh I already fed all that lot while they were watching film." Gran reassured me. "Such lovely gentlemen. Pity Austin wasn't there."

"She loves Austin." I whispered to Catelyn.

"I can tell." Catelyn laughed. "Wow these look amazing." She said to Gran with a smile.

"Eat! Eat!" Gran instructed as she started making more. "You girls look famished. Get some meat on those bones!"

"Did you ever text that guy from last night?" Catelyn asked as we chowed down on the most delicious pancakes Gran had ever made.

"Oh!" I exclaimed and quickly pulled out my phone.

Jamie's message was still the last text sent between us.

*Just warning you, I'm a BEAST at mini golf ;) pick me up at 6?*

He replied almost instantly with a thumbs up emoji and then followed up with asking for my address.

Jamie was a hell of a smooth texter and all of a sudden we were having a legit conversation and I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face.

"Hello!" My dad said happily as he walked into the kitchen.

As it usually is after his backyard practices with the team, the guys who were basically staples of the team followed him into the kitchen, helping themselves to the various snacks we had. I had long learned to keep any food that was mine and only mine up in my room, away from sweaty teenage boys.

"More pancakes?" Gran asked them, looking absolutely thrilled to have more people to cook for.

"Look who showed up." My dad said, mildly annoyed as he turned to look at me. "Who is this?"

"Dad this is Catelyn Lewis. I slept at her house last night." I told him, turning my phone over on the table.

"Nice to meet you, Coach Jones." Catelyn said happily, giving my dad a smile.

"You gonna be home for dinner tonight?" My dad asked after giving Catelyn a nod of acknowledgement.

"No, actually... I'm uh, hanging out with a friend I met last night." I said, glancing at Catelyn.

Her face broke into a grin and she quickly reached for her glass of orange juice.

"Oh yeah, who? Goes to Hillside?" My dad asked, taking an apple out of one of the guy's hands. He bit into it himself, his attention still on me.

"Uh no... East High." I replied, taking a bite of my pancakes.

"Really? Interesting. What's her name?" My dad asked.

I'd never seen him take this much interest in my friends. I glanced at Catelyn for support, but she was mesmerized by the amount of testosterone in the kitchen right now.

"Jamie." I told my dad, my gut sinking as I was fully aware of the lying I was doing.

"Alright well sure, be back by 1." He said with a smile before turning to the guys in the kitchen to talk about whatever drills they just ran.

Catelyn turned to look at me with wide eyes.

"Her name is Jamie? This is a dangerous game you're playing." Catelyn whispered urgently.

"Shush!" I whispered back, wincing. "He just assumed?'

Catelyn shook her head, quickly getting distracted as Gran brought over more pancakes.

"I still think that Austin should be over here... He's never missed one of my pancake breakfasts." Gran sighed in disappointment.

"His little brother's appendix burst last night, they're at the hospital out in Royal Oak. That's where his grandma lives." I explained, putting more of the pancakes on my plate.

Who gave a crap about carbs today... I was feasting.

"Oh dear... I should call Alice..." Gran frowned, rubbing the top of her head.

"You're friends with Nana?" I asked in shock. "Since when?"

"Since the two of you came out of the womb already engaged." Gran waved me off, sliding a plate of pancakes to the boys.

"Engaged? Interesting." One of them laughed, glancing over at me.

I rolled my eyes, stuffing a huge bite of pancake into my mouth.

"Thought ya'll were just... Ya know..." Someone else said, giving me a suggestive look.

"Best friends until he went insane and quit everything? Yeah." I said through the pancakes. "Catelyn's his girl or whatever."

"Yeah not anymore, cheating ass wipe." She muttered.

Everyone turned to look at her, including my dad, and silence fell over the kitchen.

"Excuse me?" My dad said quietly.

"I- I'm sorry I didn't mean to swear I- I just-"

"So not only is he up and breaking his foot and quitting my team he's playing you two girls at once?" My dad asked in shock, his eyes widening.

Catelyn and I just looked at each other.

How much did my dad know?

He just shook his head, pouring himself a glass of orange juice.

"I'm gonna have to have some words with that man." He muttered.

"His quitting ass can stay far away from our team. We've got Lockwood now, that's all we need to go to States."

"Yeah, Coach, just leave it alone."

"We don't need him."

And with the words of his starting defensive line, all thoughts of Austin Ryan left my dad's mind.