Chosen (11 page)

His face was so serious, I erupted with laughter and, in turn, so did he.

“Maybe a little,” I said.

From there, Taylor and I jumped into conversation about school, swimming, and riding.

“You're really going to dive from the highest board next meet?” I asked. “Your poor girlfriend must be insanely nervous!”

Taylor laughed. “Why? She doesn't have to do it.”

“True. But she has to watch, which she promised to do, of course. I mean, she told me how proud she was of you. She might have to watch between the fingers covering her eyes.”

That made Taylor smile.

“I'll be careful,” he said. “But don't repeat that—I want the team at Madison to stay scared.”

I nodded, pretending to be serious. “Consider it top secret. Madison will be shaking by the time they hit the pool.”

“Speaking of top secret,” Taylor said. “How'd your last lesson go?”

“Great,” I said. “But I didn't tell you what I found out from Kim before.”

I'd said I hadn't wanted to talk about Canterwood, but telling Tay this would ease his mind.

Taylor looked at me, curious.

“Kim told me that in my application, she told the committee about my jumping problem. So now there's
definitely
no way I'm getting in. Who would want me after my accident?”

“Laur.” Taylor shook his head. “That's so not true. Canterwood would be lucky to have you, and the second they review your application, they'll realize it.”

“We're going to have to agree to disagree, huh?” I said.

Tay nodded, swirling the ice in his glass with his straw. He held up his Coke and I did the same. We clinked our glasses together and smiled. If Tay believed in me, it made me feel a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, I had a shot at Canterwood after all.

Taylor's dad picked us up from the restaurant right on time. When we got to my house, I opened my door. I got out and turned to Taylor.

“Talk to you later,” I said. “Thanks for such an amazing night.”

Tay, aware of the never-kiss-in-front-of-parents rule, grinned at me. “I had an awesome time. And my girlfriend picked the most perfect movie
ever
.” His tone was teasing.

I pretended to look shocked.

“But then again,” he said, his voice soft. “Any movie is perfect when I'm with you.”

I brushed my thumb lightly against his chin, smiling.

“'Night, Tay.”

I headed for my front door. Elation tugged at me.

Even though I was 99 percent sure what I would see, I wished I had a crystal ball to look into my future.

THE NEXT MORNING I WOKE UP RIGHT
before my alarm clock started buzzing. I hopped out of bed and pulled on fawn-colored breeches and a purple T-shirt dotted with small black hearts. Mom was already in her office, so I waved at her as I walked to the kitchen. I put my phone on the table and poured myself a giant bowl of Cheerios before sitting down. I had a riding lesson in an hour, but surprisingly, I wasn't dreading it. Sunday group lessons had always been my favorite. I spooned cereal into my mouth and opened the group chat with Brielle and Ana on BlackBerry Messenger.

Lauren:

U guys awake?

My phone buzzed when I was halfway through my cereal bowl.

Brielle:

Woke up late!! But gonna b on time. Ana? Hellooo?

Ana:

Here! Couldn't brush my teeth & type @ the same time. I'll b on time 2. U, L?

Lauren:

Same. Prob early. Gotta go find Dad then leaving. C u guys there!

Brielle:

Ana:

Double

I finished my cereal, rinsed the bowl, and put it in the dishwasher. Then I headed to Dad's usual Sunday morning spot—the back porch. Once I walked through the sliding glass door, I saw Dad exactly where I expected. He sat on a lounge chair, book in hand and a mug of strong black coffee beside him. Tea was definitely more my style—tea with sugar. Or Splenda. Splenda was sweeter than sugar when I needed maximum sweetness.

“Ready to go already?” Dad asked, peering up at me from his novel. It was a thriller—Dad was totally into action novels.

“Yep. Oh! And I'll probably trail ride with Ana and
Brielle after we're done, so would it be okay if you picked me up a couple of hours after practice ends?”

Dad climbed out of his chair, nodding as he picked up his coffee. “Sure, sweetie. A trail ride sounds like a nice idea.”

Once we were on the road, I texted Brielle and Ana again.

Lauren:

We're going 2 creek aftr lesson, rite? It's gonna b hot out
.

Ana:

I want to!
Brielle?

Brielle:

Def. I just got off IM w a certain someone, so I need major girl talk . . .

Ana and I messaged nearly at the same second.

Lauren:

WHAT???

Ana:

Will?! U talked 2 Will???

Brielle made us wait an excruciatingly long time before she replied.

Brielle:

Not telling u over BBM!
@ the creek
.

Ana:

Laur, B is ridic mean!

I grinned, deciding to go along with Ana's teasing.

Lauren:

I know, A
.
How sad 4 her that she has no one 2 talk 2 . . . all alone. In the car. With her MOM
.

Ana:

Guess her Mom is her new BFF
.

Lauren:

And she tells
her
all her secrets
.

Brielle:

LOL. U dorks. Look up from your phones
.

Huh?

I looked up. Dad had pulled the SUV to a halt in Kim's parking lot. Parked beside us was Ana. Standing in front of the cars, arms crossed and looking smug, Brielle—shaking her head, laughing.

“Oh, my God,” I said, giggling. “How long have we been here?”

There was an amused smile on Dad's face. “See what happens when you text and don't pay attention? Your chauffeur has delivered you. Now get out of my car.”

I couldn't stop laughing. “'Bye, Dad. Love you.”

“TTYL, LT.”

I rolled my eyes at him jokingly. “Thanks, Jeeves,” I replied in kind. “Now run along.”

He clutched his heart. “That one hurt,” he said.

“You love me,” I laughed.

I got out and walked in front of the headlights to meet Brielle and Ana.

“That was pretty amazing,” Brielle said. Her thick black hair was tied back with a new glittery purple headband—I made a mental note to ask her where she'd gotten it later. “When
would
you guys have stopped texting, do you think?”