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It shouldn’t have stung. He was just keeping things simple, but it was a stark reminder that I’d always been a secret. Lucas had never admitted his feelings about me to anyone. I shifted in my seat, suddenly not hungry, when strong fingers laced with mine.
“What’s wrong?” Lucas questioned, searching my gaze.
My vision caught on our connected hands, then went straight to Jax.
“Fucking finally.”He gave us a lopsided smile before shoveling cereal into his mouth.
Tension flooded out of me, and I leaned into Lucas, who kissed my temple before nudging me to eat my breakfast. Everything about this was surreal.
My phone buzzed on the table, and I snatched it, hoping it was Anon13. He hadn’t answered yesterday, and a sinking feeling was settling into my stomach.
I ignored my disappointment when it was just an email from the dorm administration. My back straightened as I read it, then read it again.
“What’s it say?” Jax mumbled around a mouthful.
Gross. I scrunched my nose at him and let out a breath. “Rooms are ready. I can move back today.”
There were several beats of silence where I looked at my phone before Lucas spoke beside me. “That’s great. I’m sure Misty will be excited.”
My head snapped up, and my mouth opened, then snapped closed. “You’re happy I’m moving out?”
“No. I’m happy you get to spend more time with your friend. Plus, it gives me more time to plan how I’m going to woo you.”
I mouthed the wordwoo.
It only took an hour to get ready and pack up all my things. I grabbed the bag full of my clothes and hooked my overstuffed backpack over my shoulder before stepping out of my borrowed room.
“Let me take that.” Lucas immediately grabbed my bag from my shoulder and led the way to my car, placing my things in the back seat.
“Um, thank you.” I felt frozen in place as an unsettling feeling came over me. What if I left and he changed his mind?
Lucas leaned in and placed a soft kiss to the side of my mouth. “I’ll see you tonight.”
I nodded and sighed. He seemed to know exactly what was going on in my neurotic brain. “What’s tonight?”
He cupped the side of my cheek and guided my chin up. “Night one of me proving to you just how much you mean to me.”
“You don’t have to—”
He took my lips in a long, slow kiss. “I want to.”
* * *
My head pounded from my Economics 101 class. The mind-numbing drone of my professor took every ounce of my willpower to listen to. How could someone be so acclaimed while simultaneously be so boring?
Thank God I had practice—surefire way to clear my head. I threw on my practice jersey, already running late because my class went over, and slowly opened the door. All eyes turned to me when I stepped onto the court.Oh, shit.I glanced around, spotting Shana, who stared at me wide-eyed.
“I’m glad you could join us.” Coach Keller smiled at me, and my shoulders relaxed. Okay, maybe I wasn’t in trouble.
She clapped her hands. “Now that you’re all here, let’s get back to it. Our first game’s this Thursday, and it’s against the Panthers. They’ve historically been the best team in the league, but this year, we’re taking them down.” There was a burst of cheers before she continued. “Starting line Shana, Julia…” She went through names, and even though I was happy for them, I couldn’t help the disappointment I felt knowing I’d be benched. “Piper, outside hitter.”
Shana cheered, and my attention shot to Coach Keller. “Can you repeat that, please?”
“You’re starting.” She gave me a smile, then went back to calling off the rest of the names like she didn’t just blow my mind.
The rest of the practice went by in a blur. I knew we did drills, but I couldn’t tell you what. I was starting. I was playing Thursday. I hadn’t ruined my career.
“I knew you’d do it!” Shana’s arms wrapped around me and hauled me off my feet.
