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)
“Hell, no. You’re a talented quarterback and a good kid. Naming you team captain was the obvious choice.” He looked toward the door. “Clearly your teammates thought so too.”
I shrugged. “Maybe they did, at one time. But now…I’m not so sure.”
He stepped closer. “What was that, on the bus?”
“The guys read something private out loud. Something from my past.”
He nodded. “Is this about Lark Levitt?”
Christ, my dad really did tell him everything. And clearly vice versa.
“Uh-huh. We’ve become friends again. How could we not after what we went through as kids? He’s the only one who gets it, you know?”
“Makes sense to me.”
“And obviously you know Dad wants me to keep my health history secret.”
His eyes softened. “For the record, I never agreed with your father’s decision. I get why he’s so sensitive about the whole thing, but that was a long time ago and you’re not him.”
“No, I’m not. So I’d appreciate your treating me like I’m my own person. Maybe my parents don’t need to know everything going on in my life.” Fuck, I wished I could’ve said this a long time ago. Though I still didn’t know how he’d react. I tempered my tone. “Did your parents know all about what you did in college?”
His entire face reddened. “No, absolutely not.”
Must’ve had some good stories to share.
“So you get my point.”
“Loud and clear.” He briefly averted his eyes, seeming a bit chagrined. Then he put out his hand to shake on it. “But I need you to be able to separate the two and get your head in the game. No matter what, those guys look to you as their leader. So act the part.”
“Yes, sir.”
35
LARK
It was Saturday night when the text came through from Henry.
We lost.
I could feel the disappointment beneath the message.
I’m sorry. The words didn’t seem like enough.
It was my fault.
I stared hard at my phone before typing: Why would you say that?
Some shit went down on the bus on the way to the game. It involved me accidentally dropping your letter and Flash finding it.
Fuck. Where are you?
Take a wild guess.
“Mom,” I said as soon as she came through the door from work. I had been pacing for the better part of ten minutes. “Can I borrow your car? Henry needs me.”
“Is everything okay?” She handed over the keys, and when I had trouble conveying why I needed to go, she ushered me toward the door. “Just be careful, and text me that you arrived safely.”
“I will.” I lifted my bag, which held the blanket I used for the roof. I just felt like he might need it. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Wait.” She handed me the bag of doughnuts.
I grinned and kissed her cheek, then hurried out the door to her car. I didn’t ask permission to use it very often, but she must’ve understood it was important. I was glad she trusted me to be responsible.
The trailer park was quiet as I pulled out of the lot and headed toward Roosevelt College. I had never used their parking spaces before and didn’t even know if students paid for them, so I made sure to find one with a sign for visitors. I ignored the fact that Mom’s car was a shithole compared to the others. At this point, no one would be surprised anyway.
I saw a few groups of students out and about but kept my head down as I strode toward the bell tower. I made sure no one was around when I quietly slipped up the staircase.
“Henners?” I called in a low voice.
“Lark?” He sounded shaky.
As I rounded the corner, I found him on a blanket on the stone floor, with his hoodie pulled up and tightly covering his head. As if he were swaddling himself in a safety bubble.
I pulled the blanket from my bag and covered his shoulders with it. “Hey, I’m here for you. Tell me what’s going on.”
When I sank to my knees, he held the blanket open and embraced me in his warmth. His head landed on my shoulder, and his breath tickled my throat.
“How did you get here? I hope you didn’t take the bus this late—”
“I borrowed my mom’s car.”
“Did you tell her where you were going?” he murmured.
“I just said you needed me…and she sent me with warm doughnuts.”
“Oh my God, I love her,” he said as I opened the bag and offered him one. “I wish I had parents like your mom.”
“I know you do.” I leaned forward and bussed his cheek with sugary lips. “Whoops, sorry.”
He smiled at me, and this time it met his eyes.
“So…Flash found the note?”
He swallowed another bite. “He read it aloud to the guys, and there were a bunch of jokes…and sure, it sounds childish and like bullshit team stuff, but it started feeling like it was the beginning of the end for me.”