"I do love counting music and figuring out different rhythms."
She stared at me a moment. "You're weird," she said finally.
"You're the one who likes math," I countered. "Pretty sure that makes you weird."
Elle laughed quietly. "If I pass English, it'll be thanks to Tolliver. I already feel stupid enough having to take summer school."
"You'll pass."
She gave me a nod. "You know, Eli and the others weren't sure you'd show. But I knew you would."
That made one of us.
I went back and forth so many times. When I told my father I was going to a hockey scrimmage, he'd looked at me like I wascrazy. Then he said to drive carefully, beware of hormonal jocks, and call if I needed anything.
A whistle blew, and as the rest of the team skated over, Elle slipped her book into her bag and got up.
"How'd you know?" I asked before she left. "That I'd be here even when the others didn't."
Even when I didn't.
Elle shrugged. "I see the way you look at my brother. It's so cute. You're just as gone as he is," she said with a smile.
As she skated onto the rink and joined the others, I couldn't help but feel blindsided.
Was I that transparent, or was she just teasing?
Did Tolliver suspect I had feelings for him?
Was that even true?
Tolliver thew me that grin again as he skated by, and without my permission, my lips started to smile in answer.
Oh no.
No, no, no.
I was absolutely not falling.
Not for a jock.
Not even a nice one like Tolliver.
As they got ready to play, I pulled on my headphones and turned on my music. This was something I'd learned to do whenever I had to go to one of my ex's games. It provided me with the perfect distraction, and it made the time pass quicker. Tolliver glanced at me again, saw the headphones, and gave me a questioning look. But I just waved him off. I also pulled out the book I brought with me just in case. It was the same one Tolliver and I had been reading in the mornings—yes, he was still showing up at dawn to read with me. No, he had no intention of stopping. I really didn't mind. In fact, I'd gotten use to him reading over my shoulder. As if he could hear mythoughts, he frowned and skated closer, gesturing for me to take off the headphones.
When I did, I heard the coach say, "Tolliver, where are you going?"
"To talk to a friend, Coach," he said.
"Tolliver."
"Dad, I'll be right there."
My gaze widened as I looked at the man with new eyes. Now that I knew what to look for, he did resemble an older version of Tolliver with the same dark hair and muscular build. Although, the way his mouth curled in amusement made me think of Hudson or Elle.
"I've heard your speech a thousand times, could give it at this point," Tolliver said. "Been coming to camp since I was seven. I'm good."
"Fine," Tolliver's dad said, "but I expect 110 percent effort on your part after you talk to your...friend."
