Chapter 38 CHAPTER 38

Chapter 38 CHAPTER 38
I moved to the music as Coach Kit counted the beat out loud. My eyes followed Amy and Eliza as they led the final routine. They were the undisputed top contestants for cheer captain, a title to be decided next week. Kelly was predictably beside me. We had an unspoken agreement to stick close during practice. Coach Kit's critiques were easier to endure when we shared them.

From the corner of my eye, I spotted David seated at the far end of the gym. He watched us with a bored expression, his right leg propped on another chair. He must've gotten injured and come ahead of the team.

When the music ended, Coach Kit called us to a huddle. The sound of an approaching mass of cleats was enough to make the girls squirm in anticipation. Coach Kit said her parting words, and within seconds the girls were off, rushing to circle around the sweaty players.

Kelly trailed beside me as I went to David. She wrung her hands with worry etched across her face.

"What injury did you get this time?" I asked, glancing at his foot.

"Sprained ankle," he muttered. "I'm out for at least five days. No practice all week."

I winced. No practice was synonymous to torture for them.

Kelly frowned. "I hope you heal fast, " she said softly.

"Thanks." David closed his eyes and tipped his head back against the wall.

"Kelly! We've been meaning to talk to you." Rubi approached us with Amy in tow.

Since yesterday Amy and I haven't spoken. After our vicious exchange she came home an hour later, all smiles and polite behavior in front of my mom, but neglecting to engage in conversation with me. Much less bother to apologize.

Kelly's shoulders tensed at their incoming figures. "Sure, what is it?"

Rubi planted a hand on her hip. She eyed David for a moment before smirking, feasting her attention on Kelly like a cat eyeing a mouse. "Coach Kit wanted me to address a deep concern."

Kelly's brows drew together. "What do you mean?"

"It's about your weight." Rubi's tone was deceptively Sweet. "You agreed to lose ten pounds when you made the team, but your thighs are still big and your waist hasn't gone down. As captain candidates, Amy and I created a diet plan for the girls who need it."

She handed Kelly a stapled packet, making the shy girl burn with embarrassment. I was mute with shock. Was any of this true? Did Coach Kit actually tell Kelly she had to lose weight for the team?

Based on the way she nodded silently, accepting the proffered packet with trembling fingers, there was some truth to Rubi's statement.

"I think Kelly needs to give you advice on how to gain weight. She looks fine to me," David said. His eyes swept over the ashamed red-head. "Actually..I like her thighs," he added impassively.

If it were possible, Kelly turned redder. She stared at David with wide-eyed astonishment. Rubi, too, seemed startled, as if she expected him to mock her.

What an idiot. David was a big eater despite his fit physique. It was no secret he admired curves, even if his womnanizing tendencies were all over the place.

"Whatever. Just read it," Rubi snapped. She walked off in a frustrated huff.

I placed a comforting hand on Kelly's shoulder. She was mortified.

"C-can we go now?" she stuttered.

I nodded. I couldn't blame her for wanting to leave the gym. What Rubi did was out of line. And what's worse is she callously did it in front David. If she thought that would get her any favors, she was wrong. Now she just looked like a Bitter Betty.

"I’ll go with you guys." David pushed himself up and limped ahead.

We'd barely made it halfway across the gym when Cross and Theodore intercepted us, bypassing mob of girls clamoring for conversation.

"How's your ankle?" Cross asked.

"Worse than it was earlier." David grimaced with every step.

Theodore came between Kelly and I, slinging an arm around our shoulders. I had to stifle a laugh at Kelly's reaction, she seemed dizzy at the prospect of having the three hottest guys clustered around us.

"Hands off my girl," Cross warned. He yanked me away from him with such force our bodies collided.

"Where's our son. I was thinking we could bring him over my house so he could meet his grandma."

"Ms. Ken said the first day moms have them. You get him tomorrow."

His hands ran up the sides of my waist, disappointed. "But I was hoping we could spend time together in my room. As family."

I raised a brow. "So we can do what?" I challenged, daring him to say what I knew was in his dirty mind.

"So we can cuddle and talk about our feelings," he replied innocently. I stared, waiting for him to finish. His façade dropped and he smirked. "And then...do other things."

"You're having way too much fun with this." I covered his mouth as he aimed to kiss me, this time on the lips in front of a group of girls with their phones ready to spread more rumors.

"I’m proving my dedication to you," he mumbled behind my hand.

Of course he was. Someone spread a rumor that the love letter sent to him was fake. To protect his dear friend i.e. me he pretended to ask me out so I wouldn't be humiliated. That theory was strengthened by the fact that no one saw us kiss.

Only half the school believed it, though. The other half was convinced we were secretly together.

Funny how close the rumor was to the truth. I still wondered who started it, especially since the divide had emboldened a few girls to throw themselves at him more openly, hoping he'd flirt with them the way he used to. But he didn't.

Naturally, everyone was waiting for one thing to settle the debate: a kiss.

"I’m sure one of those girls over there would be willing to kiss you."

Cross made a face. "No. I only want to kiss you."

Cross waited for me outside the girls' locker room while I refreshed. I came out juggling more than usual-namely, our fake child. I unbuttoned the onesie and pressed the power switch. A soft lullaby chimed from its speaker before the baby blinked to life with little coos.

"Hey baby Liam," Cross said sweetly. He tickled the baby's foot.

Funnily enough, the baby made a sound of joy. Both of us laughed. According to Ms. Ken, these babies were the newest model: needing bottle feedings and diaper changes. They were also sensitive to touch and responded to noise. If it was too loud, they would cry. If you rubbed their back, they would calm. For the next 48-hours, we were officially parents.

"Wow, this is a really good robot," I mentioned. Cross shot me a disapproving glare. "Excuse me, show some respect to our son." Cross snatched him from my arms and tossed him gently into the air before catching him. The robot--erm, baby--had the nerve to giggle. "Very impressive."

"Didn't I tell you my seed…"

"Shut up. It's a robot for a project."

Liam chose that moment to start wailing. Cross cradled him to his chest and shushed him. "I'm sorry son. In life you can't choose your parents, but I promise to be a good father."

Great. Now I felt guilty over a fake baby. Cross continued to rock him and slowly Liam quieted. Id be lying if I said watching his strong arms holding a small baby, trying to comfort it with gentle hands, didn't do things to me. Envisioning Cross as a real father came easier than it should have.

"I'm sorry" I mumbled. I didn't even know what I was apologizing for, but it felt warranted.

"I'll accept your apology if you let me drive you home."

I reached for Liam, but Cross angled him away like a greedy parent. I sighed. "You don't have to."

"Why can't I drive my son and his mother to her house?"

There were several reasons why driving me home could be problematic. For one, I'd have to tell Amy she could leave without me. Knowing her, she'd spitefully use that as an excuse to stop driving me altogether (though to be honest I wouldn't mind taking the bus again with how awkward car rides were now). But secondly-and more importantly- my mom would see. Cross glared at my hesitance and walked away. With our baby. On my assigned day.

"Wait! I'm supposed to have him the first night!" Cross ignored my plea and continued his dramatic escape. I hurried after him and decided to be more honest. "Okay--fine! But if you drop me home, my mom's going to ask questions."

"Why haven't you told her about us?" Cross's shoulders squared. He looked even more offended. "I heard her ask you last night."

I fiddled with the end of my hair. "Because we're not... necessarily a thing yet. Last time I almost told her about Kevin and it blew up the next day. I don't want to give her false expectations."

"So everything I'm doing is fake. That's what you're saying?" His voice sharpened dangerously, enough to make my nerves stand on edge.

Ugh, screw it.

I unlocked my phone and texted Amy.

| Clara: you can head to the house without me, someone's dropping me off

I kept it vague. Maybe Cross would drop me off and no one would notice. Even if they did, we were friends doing a project. Friends with the possibility of becoming something more.

"You can drive me home."

Cross paused mid-step. "You're serious?"

"Yes."

Only then did he finally let me hold Liam. Judging by all the attention following us to the parking lot, tomorrow would be loud with whispers of Cross driving me in his car. I almost regretted agreeing to this because knowing rumor mill they wouldn't assume Cross was kindly driving
me home. No. They'd jump straight to they're totally hooking up at his place. A novelty in itself, considering Cross never drove girls anywhere, much less take them home.

"Maybe we can stop by the store and get Liam a proper car seat," Cross suggested. He arranged our bags in the backseat.

"We have him for three days. Don't be ridiculous."

"I’m not afraid of giving my all to people I love, even if I can only keep them for a short time." Cross bit my cheek, pulling the seatbelt over Liam and me as he did so.

I squeaked at his sudden intrusion. The engine roared to life, and immediately the scent of pine and cedarwood wafted through the vents. Everything inside was spotless. No clutter. No stains on the seats. Even the mats were without mud. It's clear Cross took great care of his car.

"You can make a right at the stop sign," I directed him.

"I know where we're going," he replied. Seeing my question, he added, "I have your location. I memorized where you live last night."

My heart skipped at the implications. He memorized it? I didn't even do that. Last night I kept returning to the app to check if the share request was a joke. Or if he regretted it and canceled the invitation. But there it was, his location still glowing green.

"Why did you want to share locations?" I asked shyly.

"Because you're my girl. I want to know where you are in case anything happens." The car slowed at a stop light. Cross rested his hand over my thigh and squeezed. "I also want you to trust me. I know I play around a lot, but I'm very serious about you."

My cheeks dusted pink. Cross noticed and chuckled, rubbing circles over my jeans.