Page 223 of On His Team

“Having developments.”

He laughs and pulls me back down.

I land half on top of him. “You’re supposed to tell your girlfriend when you apply to graduate school.”

“I’m telling you.”

“Because I asked.”

“Still counts.”

“It absolutely does not.”

He kisses the side of my head.

I try to hold onto my annoyance, but it is difficult when his arm tightens around me and he pulls the blanket higher over both of us.

“Do you want to get in?” I ask after a minute.

“Yeah.”

There is no hesitation in it.

“Even if hockey ends?” I ask.

“Program doesn’t.”

“I know.”

“I wanted it before.”

“I know.”

He looks down at me.

I smile. “I’m glad.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

There are about twelve follow-up questions in my head. Whether he stays at Hawthorne if he gets in. Whether he uses his remaining eligibility if he can. What happens if hockey gives him another option. Whether any of that changes where I fit. I don’t ask them. I’m trying to get better at letting things become real before I demand the entire ending.

Rowan’s thumb moves slowly against my side. “You have spring break next week.”

I nod.

“You going anywhere?”

“No,” I say. “Mara wanted to go somewhere warm until she remembered she is broke.”

“Makes sense.”

“Lucy’s staying too.”

“You can stay at Hawthorne.”

I lift my head again, excited. “All week?”