“Whatever happens is up to you.”
“I’ll think about it,” Spencer agreed.
* * *
—
All weekend, Spencer thought about his conversation with Ms. Goodwin. It was terrifying and exhilarating to think that if he were to ask Callie to homecoming, she might agree to go with him. For a time, all too short, he told himself Ms. Goodwin was right, he should ask Callie.
There was one factor he hadn’t shared with Ms. Goodwin that kept circling in his mind. He’d heard a rumor that Callie and Scott had broken up after an argument in the school parking lot. A lot of people had witnessed them shouting at each other. But then, a day or two later, they were all chummy again. So much for that.
Even with an effort to be optimistic, he realized it’d be ridiculous to think that Callie would go out with him. By Monday morning, he’d discarded the idea completely. No need to humiliate himself in front of the entire school. If he asked and she turned him down, news of her rejection was sure to be echoed through the halls of Oceanside High.
The last thing Spencer thought would happen was Callie seeking him out.
Monday, after classes were done for the day, Spencer was headed toward the school parking lot. He and his dad had worked on a 1965 Dodge Dart his father bought when he got out of the military. His dad had loved that car, and together they’d worked on getting it running again so Spencer would have a vehicle.
“Spencer.”
He knew that voice and turned around as Callie speed-walked toward him, her steps filled with purpose.
Her eyes were bright, and the sun shone down on her until he was convinced a halo had formed over her head.
“I’m glad I caught you.” She smiled at him as if they spoke every day and were the best of friends the way they had once been. “How have you been?”
“Good.”
His heart was beating like crazy, but he managed to smile back. “I heard you and Scott broke up. I’m sorry.”
“We’re all right, we’ll remain friends,” Callie said, frowning.
“Any chance you’ll get back together?”
“Not on my part, although I don’t think Scott got the message, but that’s his problem, not mine.”
He managed to appear sympathetic, even if the news made him want to jump up and down.
“Is that the car you and your dad worked on?” she asked, looking at the Dart behind him.
It surprised him she even knew about that. But then, his dad had probably mentioned it to her dad.
It demanded all the fortitude he possessed to answer with an affirmative nod.
“Cool.”
“Thanks.” He wanted to tell her of all the hours he and his dad had spent rebuilding the engine. In the process, he’d learned a great deal about the inner workings of an internal combustion engine. More important, he’d gained a deepening relationship with his father. While bending over the hood, his dad had talked about his own childhood and teen years. Stories Spencer had never heard before. He’d even spoken at length about his experiences in the military. His dad said the three years he’d been with the army had matured him into the man he was today.
Of course, Spencer told Callie none of this, which meant all he seemed able to do was stare at her.
“Do you have a few minutes?” she asked.
He nodded, rather than risk his voice cracking or embarrassing himself.
“Great. It’s been a while, and I thought it was time we caught up.”
Callie tucked her hair behind her ear. From his study of her, Spencer knew it was a nervous habit, one that had followed her all through her life. He couldn’t imagine why she would be anxious around him.
“Yeah, sure.” She wanted to catch up with him? That told him she probably needed a favor.
“I need your help,” she told him.
“Okay.”
“Okay? You don’t even know what I want you to do.”
“Whatever you need, Callie. You know you can count on me.”
She beamed him a smile. “I know you’ve got some impressive computer skills.”
Spencer and his friends were good. Really good. They pushed one another and had broken through several cybersecurity systems just to prove they could. None of them would ever brag about it, otherwise they could get in serious trouble.
“Who told you that?” He worried that word might have somehow gotten out about his skill and exploits.
She didn’t answer for a long moment. “No one, really. I just know how smart you are.”
Spencer had to wonder if Ms. Goodwin had put Callie up to this. “Are you asking me to tutor you?” Callie was an honor roll student herself, so that couldn’t be right.