Free Something Like Spring by Jay Bell Page B

over the music. What he noticed most from his backseat hideaway was how often Steph smiled in Caesar’s direction, how her eyes traveled up and down his features as he spoke, only rarely dropping to his arms or his chest. She loved him. Jason was sure of that. She was attractive too, with pink lips that framed straight white teeth, a pert little nose, and warm brown eyes that shone with confidence. For a brief moment, he wished he could be her, wished more than anything that he was pretty and perfect and capable of leaning over to peck Caesar on the cheek in return for whatever compliment he’d just paid her.
    When they reached the miniature golf course, Caesar paid for six clubs and declared that everyone should pair up. The giggling girls stuck together, and Steph took hold of Caesar’s arm, leaving Jason with Kurt. He wasn’t exactly thrilled by this, but he kept his expression neutral. On the course, Caesar and Steph went first, walking ahead to the next hole when finished. Jason kept his eyes on them as he played. He wasn’t alone. Kurt seemed just as interested.
    “You know about them, right?” he asked, jerking his head in their direction. “I bet Caesar’s bragged to you already.”
    “You mean how they’re together?” Jason putted his ball, groaning when it skirted the rim of the hole and rolled farther away.
    “ Together ,” Kurt said as if it were ridiculous. “He broke up with her ages ago, and somehow he gets to keep her. The bastard has everything.”
    Jason glanced over at Caesar, who was smiling broadly while pretending to club a ceramic dwarf over the head. “Yeah, he certainly does.”
    Kurt swung hard, the ball ricocheting back and forth. “Leave some for the rest of us.”
    “What about them?” Jason asked, referencing the two girls bringing up the rear.
    “Been there, done that,” Kurt said. “The twins come as a two-pack, and I don’t mean that in a hot way. They’re always together at school and on the weekends. They even tag along on each other’s dates. If you can’t get one of them alone, what’s the point, right?”
    “Right.”
    They played three more holes, Kurt aggressively slamming around his ball before giving up and writing a low number on the score card. Jason stuck with it until he’d mastered each new twist, ignoring Kurt’s huffs of impatience.
    “Time to switch partners!” Caesar declared.
    Jason perked up at this, but Steph seemed disappointed.
    “But we’re a team!”
    “What’s the matter?” Caesar asked. “I thought you liked switching holes.” The joke didn’t really make sense, but it got laughs anyway. “Kurt, you go with Angela. Steph, you go with Angie. Jason, you’re with me.”
    Everyone but Jason groaned as they swapped places. The hole they were on now included a small stone castle. When the ball went through the drawbridge, it continued to travel through a tube to a lower level. Jason didn’t talk much until they hopped down there together, giving them more privacy.
    “You guys do this a lot?” he asked.
    “Minigolf?” Caesar shook his head. “Nope. I figured it was a good way for you to meet everyone.”
    Jason felt flattered that this was all for his benefit, but couldn’t help asking, “Then why am I with you right now?”
    Caesar concentrated on his shot. “To make sure you’re doing okay.”
    “I’m fine. You’re the one who scares easily.” Referring to last night felt good. He wanted it to be a topic, even though he wasn’t sure what more he’d say.
    “Hey now!” Caesar glanced toward the others. “Don’t sully my reputation.”
    “I’m good at keeping secrets,” Jason said, feeling brave. He wondered if he was being obvious. If so, it went over Caesar’s head or else he’d probably be freaking out.
    “I’ll keep that in mind. Yes! Three strokes!”
    While Caesar was distracted with writing down his score, Jason kicked his ball into the hole so they could walk to the next course.
    “Windmill,” he