Stealing for Keeps (Frost Lake High Book 1)
Stealing for Keeps: Chapter 38

I get to the restaurant for Rowan’s birthday dinner a few minutes early to see if we can get a table for a large party. Vaughn is already waiting out front.

“Hey,” I say, steps slowing as I reach him.

Hands in his pockets and face tipped down into the collar of his jacket, he tips his head slightly and gives me a muffled, “Hey.”

“Did you already check in with the host?”

“They said about ten minutes while they pull some tables together.”

I fall in next to him, shoving my hands down into my pockets as well. It’s cold out. I can see my breath in the night air. It feels good to be out of the house though. I’m still technically grounded, but Mom likes Rowan, and she has a real soft spot for birthdays. Begrudgingly, she let me come but told me if I wasn’t home by ten, I’d be grounded for another two weeks and she’d take away my phone.

Neither of us says anything. We’ve talked a little in practice, but things are definitely still strained. The air between us feels as thick as the big puffy coat I’m wearing. I wonder if I’ll ever get used to winters in Michigan.

I know Vaughn could stand here in silence forever, but every second feels like an eternity.

“I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” I start. I’ve thought about how to apologize a million times, and there never seems to be a good time or place. Standing in the cold while I freeze my nuts off seems like as good a time as any.

He says nothing, but his gaze locks on me and doesn’t waver.

“I’m sorry that I wasn’t honest about how I felt about Claire. You are my friend, and I should have talked to you before I let anything happen. I owed you that much at least.” I apologized before, but it feels like it didn’t count since I basically yelled it at him.

I can’t tell anything about his emotions from the reaction on his face or body language. Vaughn is a stone wall when he wants to be.

“Anyway. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I am sorry for keeping it from you and for how you found out. I don’t blame you for getting pissed and decking me.”

“I wasn’t pissed at you.” His jaw tightens. “I mean, I was, but really I was just mad at myself.”

There’s a long silence where I think that’s all he’s going to say about it, but then miraculously, he keeps going.

“I lost Claire a long time ago, and I’ve been holding on to who we were or who I thought we could be. She was the coolest girl in fifth grade, and she’s still the coolest girl I know.” A hint of a smile tips up the corner of his lips. “But we aren’t those same kids anymore.”

I think of the mementos Claire has tucked away in that purple box. It’s a lot of history to have with one person. Fuck, I’ve only known her for a few months, and I don’t want to let her go.

He clears his throat. “Anyway. It’s not really my place anymore to act like a possessive boyfriend. She’s moved on. I’m gonna try to do the same. I know how much you care about her,” he says the last part like it pains him.

“I do.” Not that it really matters anymore, but I’ll always care about Claire.

“And I know if you hurt her, Lacey will destroy you without me having to lift a finger.” He smiles for real, an honest-to-god smile at the thought of my demise.

“She would for sure, but, uh, we aren’t together anymore.”

“I know,” he says. “But it’s still reassuring to know.” With a side-eye, his smile turns teasing. “Parents still pissed about the fight?”

“No, not really. Your dad?”

He shakes his head. “He’s too worried about the game next weekend.” Conference championships. We’ll more than likely face Ralley again.

Blake walks up, and we stop talking to greet him. After that, everyone starts to slowly arrive. We head inside and are seated at three tables pushed together lengthwise on one side of the restaurant.

I glance up at the doors as Claire walks in with Lacey. My breath gets caught in my chest. She’s smiling at her best friend, sharing some private conversation. Her cheeks are red from outside, and her blond hair is covered by a black beanie that matches her coat and gloves. It hurts to look at her. She’s so damn beautiful and no longer mine.

She waves around the table as she and Lacey take a seat at the opposite end. Would it be too desperate to move closer? Probably. I consider it anyway. I just want to be near her.

Dinner is nice. Rowan eats up the attention as half the restaurant sings “Happy Birthday” to him, and I’m next to Hunter, who wants to talk about practice and the upcoming game. Any other time, I’d be thrilled to talk soccer, but tonight I’m too busy sneaking glances down the table.

After we finish eating, people start to slowly trickle off. We have early practice tomorrow, so nobody is going out tonight.

Rowan and I move down to where Vaughn, Lacey, and Claire are still sitting.

“I feel like I didn’t get to talk to you two all night,” Rowan says to the girls as he takes a seat next to Lacey. “What’d I miss?”

Lacey glances at Claire, smiling big. Claire looks a little embarrassed as she smiles back. It’s obvious something happened.

“What?” Rowan asks.

She still looks bashful, but she twists her lips together and then says, “I joined the hockey cheer squad.”

Her gaze briefly drifts to me. Lacey squeezes Claire so hard, I watch the latter visibly wince as the air is knocked out of her.

“No way!” Rowan says, face lighting up as he holds up a hand, looking for a high five. “I’m happy for you.”

Claire fits her smaller palm against his. “Thank you.”

For the next several minutes, Rowan asks her a bunch of questions about it, and Claire answers, Lacey jumping in with all her excitement and hugging her best friend every few minutes.

A weird sensation spreads through me. Pride. Excitement. And this lingering sadness that I wasn’t there to cheer her on while she did it.

When we all eventually get up and head for the front door, I fall into step beside her.

“Congratulations. That’s really awesome news.”

She puts her arms through her jacket sleeves, then smiles. “I have you to thank.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you helped me realize how much I missed being a part of something, having a purpose.” She laughs lightly. “Even if that purpose is just to skate around and yell some cheers. I don’t need to win medals or be the best at something. I just want to enjoy myself, and I missed skating.”

Her words make my chest tighten. I’m glad for her, but seeing her all lit up and excited just makes me miss her all the more.

“It’s only a start. I applied for a job too.”

“You did?” I don’t know why, but it makes me smile. Maybe it’s seeing her come alive with all the possibilities that have been waiting for her.

“Yeah. The rink is looking for weekend help running the front counter.” She sort of shrugs it off.

“You went to the rink?”

She nods. “Yeah. You were right. It was time.”

“You’ve had a big week.”

“I had a lot of time on my hands,” she says, and I wonder if she’s felt like every day has lasted an eternity not talking or hanging out like I have. “My parents don’t know about the cheer team, so I probably shouldn’t go around telling everyone.”

It’s none of my business, but I want to have a stern talk with her mother in advance to make sure she doesn’t kill Claire’s happiness like she seems to be so good at doing.

“I’m really excited for you. About all of it.”

“Thanks.”

Lacey calls her name from the door. I keep staring at her as Claire turns her head. Lacey motions that she’s leaving.

“I gotta go,” Claire says. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yeah.”

I watch her go, wishing things were different. Maybe she was right to end things like she did. The time apart seems to have been good for her. But it doesn’t make me miss her any less.

Rowan throws an arm around my shoulders, and Vaughn steps up to my other side.

“Now what?” Rowan asks.

“What do you mean, now what?” Vaughn’s voice has a teasing edge to it. “We have practice in the morning.”

“And I’m still grounded.” I angle my body to face him.

“So we’ll go to your house,” Rowan says. “Your mom loves me.”

“I’ve gotta get home and study,” Vaughn says.

“Nope. Uh-uh. It’s Friday night, and it’s my birthday, which means tonight I’m the captain. And with my first order, I demand that you come with us. Sleepover at the Kellers’ house.” His eyes light up. “Do you think your mom will make me pancakes in the morning?”

I actually do think she will, but I just shake my head at him.

“Ooh…pancakes.” Vaughn suddenly sounds a little more interested. “I could go for some pancakes.”

“If you two get me in more trouble, I’m kicking both your asses,” I say, starting for my car.

“As if he could,” I hear Rowan mutter behind me, followed by an agreeing scoff from Vaughn.

“I heard that,” I call over my shoulder.

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