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A voice carried over the loudspeaker as a band played, and cheerleaders chanted something Haven couldn’t hear over the roar of the crowd. She covered her ears as everyone took their seats, only dropping her hands when it calmed down.
Familiar laughter rang out, and Haven looked in the direction of the sound. Dominic walked toward them with his arm draped around a girl, Dia begrudgingly following them.
Dominic took a seat in front of them and introduced Haven to his girlfriend. Tess stared at Haven for a moment, her gaze intense, but said not a word as she sat down beside him. Dia wedged herself between Haven and Dr. DeMarco. It startled Haven, but Dr. DeMarco simply slid over to give the girl room.
Haven turned her attention to the game, trying to ignore the people all around. She scanned the field silently as a player was hit and knocked onto his back. She winced. Ouch.
“Looks like number three took a hard hit,” the announcer said. “Let’s hope he’s okay.”
“He’s fine,” Dominic said dismissively. “Carmine’s tough.”
Her eyes darted back to the field. Carmine?
He climbed to his feet and flexed his fingers, his white number 3 jersey smudged with grass and dirt. Her mouth went dry as she gazed at it. So that was what the big black number meant.
“You don’t know shit about football, do you?” Dominic asked, glancing back at her. “I can see it on your face.”
She smiled sheepishly. “No.”
Dominic was rattling off the basics of the game, most of it lost on her, when Carmine pulled off his helmet, his skin glowing with sweat under the stadium lights. As she watched him, her breath hitched.
Carmine turned toward the bleachers, his eyes drifting in their direction as he scanned the crowd, and Haven could have sworn his gaze lingered on her for a moment.
* * *
The rest of the game rushed by, the energy in the stadium making Haven’s skin tingle. People occasionally approached Dr. DeMarco, not one inquiring as to who she was. She could see it in their eyes, though, could see it in their expressions as they surveyed her from a distance, trying to make sense of her presence.
When the final whistle blew, the crowd descended upon the field. Haven followed Dr. DeMarco to the surrounding fence, her footsteps faltering on the outskirts.
Dr. DeMarco paused. “Don’t move from this spot. Remember what I’ve told you.”
The voice in her head screamed again, He’s testing you!
Someone approached while she stood there, their voice an unfamiliar southern drawl like none she’d heard before. “Lost?”
Haven turned to see a boy with sun-kissed skin, his blond hair concealed under a baseball cap. He wore a pair of cargo shorts and a blue t-shirt. Haven was immediately drawn to his nearly bare feet. She smiled at them—he had on flip-flops.
Her own feet felt stifled. What she wouldn’t give to have a pair.
“I’m not lost,” she said politely. “I’m waiting for someone.”
“I’m Nicholas.”
“Haven.”
“So, tell me something, Haven. What do you call a deer with no eyes?”
“Excuse me?”
“No-eye deer.” Nicholas grinned. “Get it? No idea.”
She smiled when she realized it was a joke.
“Ah, a smile!” he said, playfully squeezing her arm.
Haven’s smile fell when he touched her, but he didn’t seem to notice.
* * *
