He lets out a long exhale.
“I didn’t want to miss it. And I…”
“What?”
“Do you think we could go back to when we first met?” He takes a step closer. “And this time, make a different choice?”
I’m on the verge of losing my balance yet again. I stumble into one of the velvet-backed audience chairs, and Chace takes the seat beside me.
“That would mean you breaking up with Lana.” I stare down at the carpeted floor. “It would mean her never speaking to me again.”
“That part will suck for all of us, I know. But I also know Lana will get over it,” he says. “She’s a strong girl who can have her pick of guys.”
“But you’re the one she wants.”
He gently tilts my chin toward his face. I suck in my breath.
“And you’re the one I want,” he whispers. “Do you see my problem?”
“Why?” I ask. “Why me, when you can have her?”
His hand drops to his lap. He leans back in his chair, eyes up to the ceiling.
“Because you’re fresh air,” he says. “Being around you, hearing your music and listening to you talk, watching you smile…it makes me forget all the bad in the world.”
I don’t trust myself to speak. I’ve never heard words like that before, and they’re turning me inside out, urging me to let go, to let myself fall.
“What about you?” he asks. “Do you think you could one day feel the same?”
“I’m already starting to.” I close my eyes, half afraid to meet his. “There were so many things I imagined happening today, but the one thing I didn’t dare to envision, the biggest surprise, was you. And I’m…I’m glad you’re here.”
Chace breaks into a smile, dimples appearing on each of his cheeks. I long to reach out and touch them, but I keep my hands in my lap.
“If we’re going to—to consider talking to Lana and really do this, I would need to know the truth,” I tell him. “About your secret trips to Brooklyn.”
His smile fades, but he nods resolutely.
“I know. And I understand it might change your mind.”
Before I can respond, Mom comes running up the aisle, clearly oblivious to the conversation taking place.
“Darling, you did it!” She pulls me out of my chair, nearly clobbering me in a bear hug. “They want you at Juilliard! The professor even said you’re a top candidate for a full scholarship! I’m so proud of you, sweetie.”
“Thanks, Mom. We did it,” I tell her, before turning toward Chace. “This is my friend from school, Chace Porter.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” he greets her. “You should be incredibly proud.”
Mom raises an eyebrow at me, and I can practically hear her thoughts.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” she says, shaking his hand and flashing me a grin.
“If you don’t already have plans, would it be all right if I take Nicole out to celebrate?” he asks. “I’ll make sure to get us both back to Oyster Bay before curfew.”
Mom cocks her head to the side, considering, but I know the answer is going to be yes. She’s never seen me with a boy before—and she’s probably as curious as I am to know how this story will unfold.
“All right.” She glances down at her watch. “It’s six o’clock now, so that gives you just under three hours to catch the train. You’ll be sure to make it?”
“I promise,” I tell her, my heartbeat picking up speed at the thought of the hours ahead—with Chace.
I remember when I first had an inkling of what was going on. It was right here on the soccer field, last April. Soccer season was over, but that particular Saturday was a charity game between Oyster Bay Prep and Houghton Academy—otherwise known as Oyster Bay’s off-season excuse to flaunt Chace’s athletic prowess. I was seated in the front row of the bleachers, of course, flanked by Kara, Stephanie—and Nicole.
I kick my shoes into the dirt as I walk toward the bleachers now, my mind and body reliving that day six months ago. It was always such a rush watching Chace play. He was so much faster than everyone else; he was more wind than human when he took to the field. I loved the way his muscles flexed as he moved, how his tanned skin glistened under the sun. I loved the fierce concentration on his face as he commandeered the ball, and more than anything I loved the deafening roar when he scored goal after goal. Sometimes he would even look at me after each of those victories, and my whole body swelled with pride.
But on that April day, he made a mistake. He actually looked at her after scoring a goal. Her cheeks blushed bright pink, and I felt my stomach turn to ice.