“No. Very muchnotgone. Very much here.” He walks over and claps Reid on the shoulder. I can tell it’s hard, much harder than it needs to be. But Reid doesn’t move a muscle or take his eyes off me.
Chapter 22
Riley
“Go bother Evie,” I tell him, irritated that he’s here and that he interrupted what could have been my first kiss with Reid.
“Evie’s in class,” he all but whines.
I shake my head and take Reid’s hand in mine. “Ready?”
“Give me a second.” He turns to the counter and grabs two black containers with clear lids. “Let’s go.”
“Bye, Zane,” I call out over my shoulder.
“Bye. You've got this today, Riley,” he calls out. Just like that, my bad attitude fades. I walk over to him and hug him.
“Thanks.”
He hugs me back before he tugs on my hair, making me lose the good feelings I was having towards him. “And keep your hands and all body parts to yourself.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh my word. Like you have any room to talk, Brother.”
“I just don’t want to see my little sister and my best friend—”
I don’t hear any more because I close the door on him and head out to Reid's car. Reid takes my bag from me and puts it in the backseat. “Here. Breakfast.”
I take the container. “Thanks. I don’t know how you had time to cook anything.”
“It’s just an omelet.”
I take the lid off, and my stomach growls when I smell it. “Mmm, that smells so good.”
“Go ahead and eat.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll eat when we get there.”
I practically inhale the omelet. “That was so good. Thank you; I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”
Before I’m ready, we have to part ways for the day. “I won’t be able to see you before you start practice.”
“I know. I’ll be fine. Thanks, Reid. For everything.” Reid and I agreed that we wouldn’t use our pack link to connect during practices and games out of respect for each other. I know he’s there, but I won’t do that to him. So we’ll do this the old fashion way. I’ll tell him how it went when I see him tonight after practice.
I lean forward and kiss his cheek before putting my hand on his chest. “Have a good day.”
“You too.”
I hop out of the car and grab my bag before I don’t want to get out at all. “Riley,” he calls out before I can close the door. I meet his gaze. “You come alive when you’re on the court. Just play the way you know how and let your coach see that. She won’t be able to let you walk away; she’ll demand you play for her.”
I give him a soft smile, even as confidence floods me. “Thanks, Reid.” I close the door and make my way to my class. Even though I skipped my first two classes, the day still drags. I meet Stephanie and Ashley for lunch, and I force myself to eat because I know I’ll need the energy later, especially if I have to play like I did yesterday. “You all right, Riley?” Ashley asks, concern in her gaze.
“Yeah. Sorry; I’m just distracted.”
“What’s wrong?” Stephanie asks.
“Oh, just basketball drama. You wouldn’t care.”
