Free Competing With the Star (Star #2) by Krysten Lindsay Hager Page B

went with Morgan to the bathroom.
    “I hope she’s okay,” Nick said, coming over to me.
    “I’m sure she’ll be fine.” I felt a little weird about his hero to the rescue routine, but I guess he was only looking out for his friend. Still, I couldn’t pretend I wasn’t feeling insecure about the fact that friend happened to be the girl who made me feel insecure on even my best day.
    “We’re supposed to meet my mom over by the stands before the fireworks begin. Is that cool?” he asked.
    “Yeah, my mom and Mrs. Hendrickson are meeting us there as well. They rode over together.”
    “Is your grandmother coming with them?” he asked. “I need to know if I’m going to be interrogated.”
    I laughed. “No, they went to South Haven for an art show tonight.”
    We walked toward the stands and I was a little nervous about our mothers meeting for the first time. I had met his mom a few times and he knew my family, but what if our mothers didn’t like each other?
    “Hadley! Over here,” my mom said, waving us over. “I just met Mrs. Jenkins. Turns out we met at that painting night I went to last month.”
    “Yes, your mom painted the best starry night in our class.” Nick’s mom laughed. “I brought some snacks. Have you kids eaten?”
    We sat on the picnic blankets they had set out and I sent a text to Charlotte about where we were.
     
    Charlotte: Deidre feels pukey after all the cotton candy she ate, so we’re going to head home. Call you tomorrow.
     
    Then I got a text from Asia asking where we were sitting. I texted her the directions to our blanket and pretty soon the rest of the group was there. Part of me had been hoping for some time alone with Nick, but I guess that wasn’t realistic seeing as how both our moms were there. Reagan walked over and I saw Mrs. Jenkins’ lips press together in a grimace.
    “Hi, Mrs. Jenkins,” Reagan said.
    “Mmhm,” Mrs. Jenkins said, nodding.
    I glanced over at Nick, who was watching Morgan hanging on Connor’s arm. Simone didn’t look too happy about that and she sat next to Asia and me on the blanket.
    “You feeling better, Simone?” Nick asked.
    “Uh-huh,” she said, and I saw her smile as Connor pulled away from Morgan.
    Nick moved his arm so it was resting right behind me. It wasn’t technically around me like a romantic gesture, but his arm was touching me and showing we were together, yet my mom couldn’t stroke out over his arm’s careful placement.
    “I have to go to the bathroom,” Simone said, getting up. “I’m not using the porta ones. Where are the closest restrooms?”
    “They’re over by the main stage,” my mom said.
    “You’re not going by yourself in this crowd,” Simone’s mom said. “I’ll go with you.”
    Simone made a face.
    “We’ll go with you,” Nick said, and she shot him a smile.
    “He’s so thoughtful,” Mrs. Hendrickson said. “Why can’t you find somebody like that, Simone?”
    “Yeah, I’m so sweet. Why can’t you find somebody like me?” he asked, smirking.
    Simone rolled her eyes and I knew they were just friends, but sometimes it made me feel weird to see what an easy back-and-forth they had. Sure, they had known each other for a long time, but Nick used to spend all his free time with her since he was good friends with Pilar’s brother, Kevin. I mean, she told me he was always talking about me to her.
    Nick reached over and held my hand as soon as we were away from our parents. I started to relax a little. Of course they were joke-y around each other. They were practically like brother and sister. No big deal. And he wouldn’t be holding my hand in front of her if he was interested in her anyway.
    “You got quiet,” Nick said, smiling at me. “What’s up?”
    “Nothing,” I said.
    We walked up to the restrooms and I started to follow Simone in when Nick tugged my arm.
    “Wait a sec,” he said. “You know, this is the first time we haven’t had people watching our every