Page 28 of Honest Boys Don’t Play

The old ivy-covered buildings that were once intimidating now feel as familiar as the back of my hand.

Reaching Bertie’s dorm, I find an open space and park. It’s a nice day on campus and a few girls from her dorm loiter on the lawn, some reading and some just soaking in the sun.

“Hey,” one of the girls calls to me as I head for the main set of doors.

“Hi,” I say politely and feel my face warm.

I once had a girl tell me, “For one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen you’re really shy.” She said it like it was a bad thing, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being introverted.

“You look familiar,” she goes on with a flirty smile.

“Uh…” I never do well with conversations like this. I don’t want to be rude and outright ignore her, but I need to get back to Bertie.

“Have I seen you at Harvey’s?” she asks, referring to the preferred bar near campus.

I rub the back of my head with my free hand. “Probably?” It comes out as a question.

She sits up from where she was leaning in the grass. “You’re on the hockey team, right?”

“Well, I was. I’m graduating.”

She perks up even more, and maybe I’m wrong but I swear she does something with her arms that squeezes her boobs together until they’re practically spilling out of her tank. “Me too. Are you staying in the area?”

“Um … for the summer. Then I’m moving to Nashville.”

The door into the dorm opens but I’m frozen, panicking. I don’t want to be rude, but I want to get to Bertie.

Her eyes shine with excitement. “Talk about a coincidence. I’m going to be in Nashville too. Maybe we should plan to hang out?”

“Sorry, Brianna. He’s going to be too busy with dad duty.”

I jerk my head at Bertie’s voice and find her standing there holding the door open, one hand on her small bump. I’m a little stunned that she’s let the cat out of the bag. Despite the weather warming she’s been wearing sweaters to hide her belly. I guess she decided with graduation so soon that it doesn’t matter anymore.

“Oh.” Brianna’s face turns a bright shade of red. “I didn’t know.”

“Well, now you do.”

Bertie doesn’t sound annoyed. If anything, she seems amused.

“Come on.” She gestures me to come in. “I’m almost done.”

I don’t have to be told twice. I scurry into the building.

“I’m sorry I got held up,” I say, following her to the building’s elevator. “She started talking to me and I didn’t want to be rude and—” Already I’m spiraling as my brain concocts at least ten different ways I could’ve handled that situation and each one is probably better than how I actually did.

Bertie laughs and my ears get hot with embarrassment. I hate that I ramble when I’m nervous.

“You don’t need to defend yourself to me. It’s not like we’re together.”

As soon as the doors slide open, she’s speed walking toward her room.

“Hey.” I grab her wrist to stop her outside of it. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” She blinks innocently.

“Try to lessen whatever this is.” I gesture between us with my free hand. “Words aren’t easy for me, but I think I’ve made it abundantly clear that I like you. I would make you my girlfriend in a heartbeat if I didn’t think it would send you running for the hills.” She sucks her cheeks in at my words. “I don’t want to talk to other girls. I’m just not good in situations like that and don’t want to be rude. And frankly, the way you showed up down there I’m starting to wonder if you’re jealous.”

“I’m not jealous,” she says too quick. “I just wanted my soda.” She holds up the cup. “That’s it.”