The Girl Who Fell by S.M. Parker Page A

“I’m beat too. Like I said, tough game.”
    â€œBut you won.” His voice rallies with support.
    â€œWe did.”
    When I get home, Mom is all cheerleader. She actually squeals when I tell her we’re one game away from winning State. Finn greets me with his usual enthusiasm, always convinced I’m a winner despite my failures. I decline Mom’s offer to celebrate by going out for dinner and retreat to my room. I snuggle with Finn on my bed and the quiet of the house drums in my ears. It is a pulsing soundlessness that taunts me with all that I’ve lost with Gregg. With my dad.
    I bury my head in Finn’s velvet fur and wonder how anyone is supposed to trust another person with their heart.

Chapter 9
    I am grateful for the demands of postseason field hockey. Today’s practice was grueling enough to obliterate the stress I’ve been feeling over Gregg. I run off the field and grab a towel.
    Karen pats me on the back as I wipe the sweat from my forehead. “Good form, Doyle. Glad to see you back.” I can easily picture Karen being a high school coach someday. She tosses me an orange slice and I suck at the meat of the fruit and let the juice slake my thirst.
    Now I need a shower to soothe my sore muscles after running six miles, playing a full scrimmage. I head toward the bleachers and the pressure to win State strangles like a snake tightening. It’s been eleven years since Sudbury’s held a field hockey state championship. The stress makes my shoulders ache, until I see Alec leaning against the stands.
    He comes to me. “You looked awesome out there.” He nudges my hip with his. “Even better up close.”
    â€œUgh. I’m a sweaty mess.”
    â€œDoesn’t bother me.” He takes my hand. “Do you have plans now?”
    â€œI need a shower.”
    â€œHang out with me instead. I’ve been worried since you sounded so down last night.”
    â€œI’m better. Too exhausted to be bummed out.”
    â€œYou played great today.” He squeezes my hand tighter. I feel a trickle of guilt for not clarifying that my sadness yesterday was purely Gregg-related. “You’ll win State, Zephyr actually. I know you will.”
    I smile at the nickname. “I wish I had your confidence.”
    He scoffs. “Don’t let my manly exterior fool you; I’m a mess on the inside. Same as everyone.” He kisses the top of my head, his lips leaving a shadow of warmth. “I believe in you, even if you can’t right now.” His words soothe like balm. “Hang with me. We can be messes together.”
    I straighten and take one last look at the field. “I want to, but we’ve got our final game tomorrow. Coach wants us to rest up.”
    â€œYou don’t need rest; you need to keep your mind occupied. You need someone to keep you from stressing about field hockey.” He smiles that coy smile. “And lucky for you, I just happen to be that guy.”
    â€œYou are, are you?”
    â€œConvince me you’re not going to go home and obsess about the game and I’ll leave you alone.” He catches my smile and points at my lips. “Hah! I knew it. Hang out with me and I’ll help you keep your mind off things. Besides, I could use some help with my French homework.”
    â€œYou must really need help if you want me to be your tutor.”
    Alec laughs, tickles my palm with his finger. “So I’m invited over?”
    I nod, biting my lip.
    He turns me to face him, raises his hand to my mouth and runs his thumb over my lower lip. I release the bite. “No, don’t. Bite it again.” He bites his own lip in demonstration. I mimic him. He caresses the indent, the part of my lip that’s pulled in by my teeth. “I love the way you do that,” he tells me. I only hear the word love .
    When I arrive home, Finn greets us, his tail wagging so fast it kicks up a