I Like Me Better


 
 
 
 PRAISE FOR I LIKE ME BETTER
 “Full of swoon-worthy flirtation, I Like Me Better joyfully reminds us that coming into your own and falling in love don’t have to be mutually exclusive.”
 —JASON JUNE, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF OUT OF THE BLUE
 “Yet another bright and bubbly, can’t-help-but-turn-another-page summertime romp that’s fun, heartening, and had me smiling from ear to ear.”
 —ROBBIE COUCH, AUTHOR OF THE SKY BLUES
 PRAISE FOR IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND
 “Will leave you smiling and swooning... I loved it!”
 —ADAM SILVERA, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END
 “A summer-sweet, dreamy rom-com, If You Change Your Mind is a heartfelt debut readers will instantly fall for.”
 —JULIAN WINTERS, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF RUNNING WITH LIONS
 “Fresh, funny, and full of heart. The perfect summer romance!”
 —MORGAN MATSON, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT
 “Sundrenched, swoony, and dripping with chemistry and charm.”
 —JENNA EVANS WELCH, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF LOVE & GELATO
 “Charmingly captures the intricacies of love and the perfect feeling of summer.”
 —EMILY WIBBERLEY and AUSTIN SIEGEMUND-BROKA, AUTHORS OF IF I’M BEING HONEST
 
 
 ROBBY WEBER is a Florida-based writer who loves sunshine, summer, and strong-willed characters. He can normally be found as close to the ocean as possible with his dog, Arthur, and a novel from Reese’s Book Club. He is the author of If You Change Your Mind.
 RobbyWeber.com
 
 
 I Like Me Better
 Robby Weber
 
 
 
 
 For Dad.
 The fastest on the field...until 1995.
 Thank you for always cheering me on.
 
 
 Contents
 Chapter 1
 Chapter 2
 Chapter 3
 Chapter 4
 Chapter 5
 Chapter 6
 Chapter 7
 Chapter 8
 Chapter 9
 Chapter 10
 Chapter 11
 Chapter 12
 Chapter 13
 Chapter 14
 Chapter 15
 Chapter 16
 Chapter 17
 Chapter 18
 Chapter 19
 Chapter 20
 Chapter 21
 Chapter 22
 Chapter 23
 Chapter 24
 Chapter 25
 Chapter 26
 Chapter 27
 Chapter 28
 Chapter 29
 Chapter 30
 Chapter 31
 Chapter 32
 Chapter 33
 Chapter 34
 Chapter 35
 Chapter 36
 Chapter 37
 Acknowledgments
 
 
 1
 The Metaphorical Cleats
 Whoever said winning isn’t everything must not have won very often.
 It’s thanks to my winning goal at States last month that all the guys in the locker room cheer when I round the corner.
 My best friend, Meyers, slings an arm over my shoulders and, in a pretty convincing Peter Drury voice, crows: “This is summer break! Zack Martin, rising star of the Citrus Harbor High Hammerheads, has slammed home an impossible goal at States. The captain spot is nearly his, but it all comes down to this summer—one match to make or break.”
 It’s thanks to my many other winning goals that Ryan, our graduating captain, has taken me under his wing and gives me an approving nod from the end of the locker room. He thinks I’m a shoo-in to fill his metaphorical cleats next year. In fact, he already nominated me for it. We’ll find out officially on the Fourth of July, after the annual charity match, when the team has a pool party and votes for the new captain—a tradition I am especially looking forward to this year.
 It’s also, ironically, thanks to my winning goals that Noel Hawthorne is practically glaring at me as he shoves his shin guards into his duffel bag. He’s the only guy on the team who isn’t ever happy to see me. His dad has put him in elite soccer camps since he was ten, and I think he’s always been salty about not being the best on our team.
 I’ve trained and worked hard—keeping my grades slightly above average, serving on homecoming court (a byproduct of being friends with Ryan), and helping with the team fundraisers, while also never missing a practice—and I now have the record number of goals for a Citrus Harbor High student since 1978.
 My cheeks go hot when all the guys clap for me like I’m some kind of celebrity—it’s nice and all, but I still feel like it can’t be for me, like maybe there’s somebody behind me everybody is actually excited to see.
 Once everyone’s attention is off me and back to their separate conversations, I raise a brow and Meyers grins.
 “I really can’t believe we’re going to Ryan’s party.” He knocks into my shoulder as I make my way toward my locker. He looks down at his phone, running one hand through his fiery red hair. “I wonder if they’re going to do, like, foam in the pool. And Hope is going to be there, obviously, and we’ll finally have our second kiss, obviously.”
 “I don’t think there will be foam in the pool,” I say.
 To my right, Beckett, my other best friend since kindergarten, is neatly folding his jersey.
 “This isn’t the ’80s.” Beckett grimaces and flicks a few strands of black hair from his face as he zips his bag and stands up straight. “I don’t know, guys. I’m not sure if I’m in the mood for a party tonight, I’m wiped.”
 Meyers rolls his eyes. “Dude. This is the last day of our junior year, and we’ve been invited to Ryan’s party. Us.” He makes a grand gesture with open palms, then pitches his voice lower. “None of the other guys in our grade are going.”
 “Zack got invited,” Beckett points out.
 “But you guys are welcome to come,” I say, balling up some socks I didn’t even realize I’d shoved into my locker. “Ryan said so.”
 “It’s an honor to be popular adjacent,” Beckett deadpans.
 “This is the culmination of everything,” Meyers presses. “Zack scoring that goal at States. Him becoming the next captain. Plus, me and Hope will finally get together. Beckett, you got your internship. This is going to be the best summer of our entire lives and it’s starting with the coolest party that we normally would only hear stories about.”
 “I think it’s weird