Here to Stay by Sara Farizan

Author:Sara Farizan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Published: 2018-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“All hail the conquering hero!” Sean announced as he walked into Erin’s house ahead of me. We had beaten St. Christopher’s 54–32. Not to brag, but I was on fire! I scored eight points, made two assists, had one block, and got three rebounds. The win ensured our team a place in the New England tournament.

“It was a thing of beauty watching Bijan play tonight, Reggie. An unforgettable night.”

“I don’t think he’s going to be in any State Farm commercials yet, but give him time!”

Erin greeted Sean, Stephanie, and me at the front door. We’d made it a point to show up together. I had convinced Stephanie that there was strength in numbers, and that splitting a ride three ways from school would cut our Lyft fare considerably. The plan for the ride home was to drop Stephanie off at her house first; Sean would sleep over at my place. Stephanie hadn’t heard from Noah, nor had he offered her his chauffeur services. She seemed upset when she told us he hadn’t answered any of her calls, but I didn’t ask her about it. Their friendship was her business. I did, however, make sure she didn’t have a clipboard with her.

“Hey, you made it!” Erin found us in the foyer. “Hi, Steph.” Not Stephanie, not Bergner, but Steph.

“Hello, Erin,” Stephanie said, looking at her momentarily before averting her eyes and blushing a little.

“Phones and car keys, please.” Erin held up an orange beach pail three-quarters filled with brightly colored phones and keys. We emptied the contents of our pockets and paid the fee.

“Why no phones?” I asked.

“No phones, no incriminating photographs of underage drinking. Makes for a more relaxed evening. Good game, by the way. Elle got lots of great shots for the yearbook.”

Yearbook! Action shots! The stuff of high school legend!

“Nice digs,” Sean said. Erin’s house was huge and full of New England old-money furniture, understated but expensive.

“We’re all hanging out in the kitchen.” Erin led us through her expansive house.

“Thank you for inviting us,” Stephanie said.

“I’m glad you came,” Erin said.

Drew, Marcus, and Todd sat at a round wooden table in the kitchen, Solo cups in hand. “There he is!” Marcus said, standing up to greet me.

Sean immediately went to hug him. “I am here! It’s so good to see you.” Sean stuck his hand up in the air for a high five from Drew, but Drew didn’t go for it.

“Hey,” I said as I slapped hands with Marcus.

“Your boy is crazy. You know that, right?” Marcus asked as Sean sat down with my teammates.

“What are we having, fellas?” Sean asked. He had glaze splatters on his khakis and a Deadpool sweatshirt on. He hadn’t exactly dressed up for our big night out.

“Beer,” Drew said before taking a sip from his Solo cup.

“Bread juice. Cool. I can wrap my head around that.”

“It’s in there.” Todd pointed to the deluxe wood-paneled fridge.

“I’ll come with you,” I said, leaving my teammates behind. Stephanie sat with Erin on the barstools surrounding the granite-countertop island in the center of the kitchen.

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