Tour Stop, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Fall Changes by Marie McGrath

We walked shoulder to shoulder from Over Easy’s. I could feel his eyes on me as I walked around my car to put my book bag in the back seat. This was different from our normal meetings. Over Easy’s leveled the playing field. It kept things businesslike; walking to the park would be uncharted territory. My stomach did flips as I returned to where he stood.

I moved alongside of him, keeping pace even though his strides were much larger. Compared to his one step, I had to take at least two. We stopped at the crosswalk, waiting for the walk light to activate. As I went to take a step, he walked out first and put his hand against the small of my back. He led me, but it also felt protective, like he didn’t want an inattentive car to injure me—always a gentlemen. No matter what had happened to him, he kept his manners and kindness at the forefront. I hoped no matter what happened he never lost that.

Fruit trees lined the sidewalks to the park. He waved and greeted passersby. I stole glances when he wasn’t looking and blushed when he caught me. Every time, he gave me this broad smile, like he only wanted to go to the park with me.

The walk to the park was quick. Along the way, our arms would brush against each other, and it sent tingles up my arm. We found a bench and sat. The sun still had a couple of hours before it would set, but it was lower in the sky, just above the treetops.

He stared into the distance. “This is my favorite place to sit and think.”

“Right here?”

“Right here. This exact park bench. It has the best view of the whole park and then the town beyond it.”

“What do you come here to think about?”

“Everything. My parents. My sisters. You.”

Wait, what? Had I heard him correctly? “I’m sorry. What? Me? Why me?”

“Why not?”

“What’s there to think about? I’m not interesting to think about.” Did I just say that? Wasn’t I supposed to be saying I was exciting and adventurous? Isn’t that what boys wanted to hear?

“That is far from the truth, superstar.”

“Oh, please. How am I interesting? So I won a couple races. Other people have done that.”

“Sure, what you’ve done in track is good for the school, but that’s not what I mean. You’re different, Riley. I could tell when I first saw you in English class, wearing your blue converses with a braid in your hair.”

I thought back; he remembered what I wore? “You could? How? You still don’t even really know me.”

“Well, I want to get to know you. I mean that. You’re a great English partner, but I wouldn’t mind meeting you to hang out. What do you think?”

“I don’t think it’s a horrible idea.”

He chuckled. “Well, as long as it isn’t horrible.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I wouldn’t mind getting to know you better outside of English too.”

“Then it’s a plan. Maybe sometime next week? I know you have a double track meet this weekend.”

“Sure. That works. I’ll know my practice schedule better on Monday.”

“Great.” He shuffled his feet. “I don’t want to keep you too late. It’s getting dark. We should walk back.”

He was right. The sun had dipped much lower, and I hadn’t even noticed. I couldn’t believe we were going to meet outside of class assignments. I also couldn’t believe he thought about me. I still wasn’t sure it happened, but I didn’t want to clarify, just in case.

The walk back felt quicker than before. He stayed closer this time. When we got to my car, we both waited.

I avoided his gaze. “So, you’ll send me what we have, and I can check it, right?”

“Yes. I’ll type up our additions and send it to you.”

“Great. Thanks for doing that. I’ll let you know about my schedule on Monday.”

“Sounds good. Bye, Riley.” He stepped closer to me. He pulled me in for a hug and just waited, lingering a heartbeat longer. To anyone else, it was just a hug, but I knew he had hesitated. He released me, and I climbed into the Impala.

I had no idea how to process any of what had just happened. I was full of tingles and butterflies, and I couldn’t get this goofy grin off my face.