Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
He came over as Mom waved her goodbyes and went to her vehicle. Speaking of rainy days, her car had seen better days and was bound to give out on her any day now. That was where the junkyard and Pete’s uncle came in handy. He was good with cars, had plenty of used parts, and had been able to help us out over the years.
“Want to hang out tonight after I put Star to bed?” We hadn’t seen much of each other lately. He knew I was busy with dress rehearsals and extra practices, something he totally got, having witnessed it all through high school. He’d attended a couple of my recitals, but only out of allegiance to me. The programs could feel long and boring, especially if you cared nothing about dance, so I told him he shouldn’t feel obligated. I could see the relief in his eyes. Besides, it wasn’t like I attended antique car shows with him and his uncle, something he was wildly interested in. It was enough that he was supportive no matter what.
“Sorry, I have a date with Jenny.”
“Things seem more serious,” I said, noting the sparkle in his eyes.
“Maybe. I really like her, Lark.”
“I can tell. Do you think it’s mutual?”
“I sure hope so.” He shyly looked away. “But yeah, it might be.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks.” He arched a brow. “And you?”
I recapped the recital and what’d been happening with Henry and the flowers until Star came to the door and pulled on my sleeve since we had yet to start our game.
“Damn,” Pete sympathized. “I wish it could be different. Hang in there, buddy.”
“I will.”
Star and I went back to our game, but Henry was on my mind. We never talked about his habit of dropping by, but I secretly enjoyed anticipating it. He hadn’t come around last Friday because of an away game the team traveled to by bus the night before. Tomorrow’s game was also farther away, but the team would be leaving at the crack of dawn.
After I made a dinner of soup and sandwiches for us, I lifted my cell to text him and wish him luck on his game.
What are you up to?
When there was no response, I figured he was busy, so I let it go.
I was helping Star with a shower and her pajamas when my cell buzzed.
Look out your door.
I grinned. Give me a few minutes.
I ushered Star to her bed and tucked her in. She’d be too excited to sleep if she laid eyes on Henry first.
“Are you going to read to me?” she asked with a pout.
“Yep, just let me wash up, and I’ll be right back in.”
I took a few books from her shelf and spread them in front of her before padding out of the room and to the door to let Henry inside.
“Sorry, I just wanted to get Star in bed,” I whispered.
“I’ll be quiet,” he said, tiptoeing in behind me. “Is this okay? That I came?”
My face flushed hot. “I was hoping you would.”
He reached for my hand and wound our fingers together. “We have an early bus ride, so I can’t stay long.”
“Let me just read to Star, and I’ll be right out. Make yourself comfortable.”
We grinned at each other like idiots before I went back to Star, hoping she didn’t beg for more stories tonight. But when I padded inside, she was already asleep with a book propped on her stomach. I gently moved it, then cut the light and shut the door.
“She’s asleep,” I said, noting that Henry was sitting on the couch with his sneakers off.
“Come here,” he said, and I climbed right into his lap, wondering what in the hell we were doing but also not wanting to stop our little Friday night ritual for anything. When he enveloped me in his big arms, I felt calm, and I wished I could do the same for him. Students were still whispering about us at college, but he was willing to ignore the rumors for now, and I had to follow his lead, though I wished with all my might that we were both out and didn’t have a care in the world. At least when it came to our sexuality. But that was rarely how life worked.
“I had a phone call with my parents again.”
“What about?”
“What do you think?”
Apparently, his parents heard all the gossip, and it seemed so ridiculous and over-the-top that they would be that involved.
“It’s almost like they attend college with us,” I said with a hollow laugh.
He made a frustrated sound. “It sucks that he checks in with Coach regularly. It doesn’t sit well with me, not anymore. It’s fucking uncomfortable.”
“Maybe you should have a talk with your coach about it.”
“Maybe I should.” He frowned. “But not until after tomorrow’s game. It’s a big one.”