The Winner's Game(24)
I could kill him!
Unfazed, the boy winks at Cade with a thankful nod, then focuses on me again. “So, Ann. What can I get you?”
“I’m still deciding,” I mutter as I ease back toward the glass display counter.
“Well, take your time. I’ll just chat with Cade here until you’re ready.” He smiles and winks at Cade once more, like the two of them are playing a game. “What grade are you in?”
“Just finished fifth. Now I’m starting middle school.”
“Ah, moving up to the big leagues. How about Ann?”
“She’ll be a senior.”
He grins. “Me too. And how long are you guys in town?”
Cade looks at me for a moment, like he’s trying to see how he should respond. “Well, I guess we’re staying until my sister gets her new—”
“Schedule!” I shout. “Until I get a new schedule for my senior year.”
The boy rightfully looks confused. “Why do you need to wait here for your schedule?”
“Well…yeah, I mean…I didn’t like the first one they gave me, so I asked for a new one…and this is where they’re mailing it.”
There’s a hint of doubt in his eyes, but all he says is, “Huh.”
“The thing is,” I continue, now in full ramble mode, “we own a beach house here and stuff, and so we weren’t sure where we were going to be exactly, so we told them to mail my schedule here, which means we’re sort of stuck here until it comes, because we don’t want it to get lost in the mail or anything. Once it comes, we’ll head back to Portland. That could be at the very end of the summer, though…maybe.”
A wide grin splits his face. “Wow, that’s a long time…maybe. You know, if you guys want, I can show you around when I’m not working. There’s more to do in Cannon Beach than people think.”
“Cool,” Cade says.
But I shake my head adamantly. “We’ve got a lot going on. I’m sure we’re going to be very busy this summer.”
He nods. “I understand. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me. I’m here weekdays from ten to four, and Saturdays from nine to one. Other than that, I’m completely free, and will probably be bored out of my mind.”
Is he serious? Did he seriously invite me—well…us—to hang out with him this summer? Does he not understand that I’m not like him? I’m not cool, and sporty, and perfect.
“We should probably get going,” I blurt out. “Can I just have a mint fudge and a milk-chocolate cluster? Oh, and maybe a dipped pretzel stick for my sister.”
“Sure, Ann.” He starts collecting our items. “I’m Tanner, by the way. Rich.”
“Wow,” I say sarcastically. “Good for you. You’re rich. Is that supposed to impress me?”
For a second Tanner is like a deer in the headlights, but then he starts cracking up.
Cade laughs too. “I think that’s his last name, Ann.”
Now Tanner is beaming again. “You think I’d spend my summer working here if I was loaded? Let me try again. ‘Sure, Ann. By the way, I’m Tanner Rich. First name Tanner, last name Rich.’”
“Oh,” I reply sheepishly. “Sorry, I just…sorry.” I pull out my wallet and ask him how much I owe.
“It’s on the house. Store policy. First-time visitors get five free samples.”
I quickly count our items. “We have six.”
“Oh, right. Sorry. The policy is the first six.”
“You seriously aren’t going to let us pay? Won’t you get in trouble?”
He winks. “If you’re worried about it, just buy extra the next time you come in the store to make up for it.”
“And what if we don’t come back?”
“That would be a shame.” He hands me the bag of treats. “Don’t forget, I’ll gladly show you around town if you want.”
He invited me—us—again!
“And don’t forget,” I say stupidly, “we have big plans this summer. We’re going to be very busy.” On that note, I turn and exit the store without looking back.
On the way home, I’m seething. Gone are the happy, alive feelings from earlier. Once again, Cade can tell that something is up.
“What’s the matter?”
“What do you think? I’m soooo lame.”
“Yeah, so what’s new?”
“Oh shut up.”
“Sorry. Why are you lame this time?”
I try threatening him with my mad face, but it’s no use, because I’m not really mad at him. I’m mad at me, and me alone. In frustration, I withdraw my block of mint fudge from the bag and bite off half of it. After swallowing, I lick my lips before replying. “I guess I just thought…here at the beach and stuff…and I was like all energized and feeling good…but then it’s like nope.”