Page 26 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

“I know you were.” His hand hovers against my back and he reaches with his other hand to push the door open for me. “But it was my idea to come to the bookstore.”

“Well, thank you.” I give him a shy smile.

He opens the passenger door of the truck for me and I hop inside, depositing my bag of goodies between my feet.

We’re quiet on our drive back to the dorm, and when he pulls up outside of it, I’m almost sad for the day to be over. Luke is easy to spend time with. He’s the kind of person I’m content to just exist with. No meaningless conversation, no awkwardness, just peace.

“Thank you for going with me today,” I say, reaching for the door.

“I wanted to be there. I’ll carry your bag in for you.”

“No, it’s okay.” I scoop it up, cradling it against my chest. “I’ve got it.”

The corners of his lips turn down, but he nods. “Okay. Well, I’ll see you when I see you, I guess.”

“See you,” I say, closing the door behind me.

I hurry into the building and turn back as the door closes. He sits there in his idling truck for another minute before he slowly backs out and drives away.

I press a hand to my racing heart.

I’m so screwed when it comes to him.

CHAPTER 9

LUKE

I knock on the door to Bertie’s dorm room. We’re still a few days away from graduation but decided that it made the most sense to go ahead and move her stuff to my mom’s place.

The door swings open and I’m not sure what I’m expecting but a frazzled looking Bertie isn’t it. Normally she looks put together, even when she’s clearly stressed, but today her blond hair is up in a ponytail that has become lopsided and looks like it’s hanging on for dear life. Her cotton shorts rest beneath her small bump that pokes out from beneath a cropped tank top. My eyes dip lower and I grin when I find mismatched socks on her feet—a yellow pair with bees and a navy pair with footballs.

“We’re gonna have to fix that.” I point to the footballs.

“Huh?” Her brows knit adorably.

“The footballs—you need hockey sticks or pucks instead.”

She cracks a smile. “Probably a good idea.”

“Are you gonna let me in?” I ask, tapping the door she still holds onto.

She gives her head a shake and steps back. “Sorry. I meant to start packing up yesterday, but I was so tired and then I got up this morning and realized I forgot to get boxes.” She presses a hand to her forehead. “Pregnancy is kicking my ass.”

“Is everything okay?” Worry leaches into my tone.

“Yeah, it’s all normal. It just sucks.” She returns to packing up clothes.

“What can I help with?”

She points to a corner beside her desk. “Those boxes are ready to go.”

I pick up the first box, not expecting the weight of it and grunt.

“Sorry,” she says sheepishly. “That one’s books. I should’ve warned you.”

“It’s fine.” I adjust my grip. “Just wasn’t expecting it, that’s all.”

I make the trip down to my truck and back up. The other two boxes aren’t that heavy so I’m able to carry both together.