Page 28

“It really does.”

“Is he the brother who doesn’t see his kid a lot?”

“No, he actually is a really good dad,” he tells me. “He took the whole experience of losing his dream and just made another one. Will—that’s his name—is kind of my inspiration. I mean, he lost everything he worked so hard for and he didn’t fall into a pit of despair. He picked himself up and made a good life for himself. And that’s how I’m trying to live my life.”

I glance at him, wondering if this guy is for real. He’s nice, good looking, motivated, athletic, and who knows what else.

“What?” he wonders. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. You just seem nice and it’s weird.”

“Why is it weird?” he questions with an arch of his brow. “Because I’m the star quarterback, which means I’m supposed to be a cocky jerk? Is that you trying to stereotype me again?”

I shake my head. “Trust me, I don’t think quarterbacks are jerks. If I was ever judging you, it was because you were part of a frat, seemed to be friends with Brooks, and you’re really good looking.”

He amusedly gapes at me. “I get points docked because I’m good looking?”

“It’s just that from my experience, good looking guys can sometimes have egos. You’re not giving off that vibe, though. And I now know you’re not really friends with Brooks, so that just leaves the frat issue.”

He rubs his jawline. “So that’s an issue, is it?”

I shrug. “Maybe. I’ve never been friends with a frat boy before.”

“Is that what we are?” he teases. “Friends? After you were so mean to me?”

Shaking my head, I playfully shove him. “Whatever. You want to be friends with me. I can tell.”

He laughs. “All right, you caught me.” He rakes his fingers through his hair. “So does that mean you’ll come to my get together tomorrow?”

“I don’t know. Is this get together a party? Because I don’t do parties.” Ever again. I tried once for Zayla and it was as bad as I remember.

Although, at least at this party, I can remember all of the details.

Strands of his hair fall into his eyes as he shakes his head. “No, it’ll be like only twenty people or so”

“Twenty people or so?” My tone conveys my suspicion. “That sounds close to being a party.”

“No way. Twenty people and under means it’s not a party. It has to reach twenty-one people to qualify for that.”

“But if I come, it’ll push it to twenty-one.”

“Hmmm… Good, point.” He wavers. “I’ll just uninvite someone. I’m not a fan of Ben, so I’ll just kick him off the list.”

I snort a laugh. “Ugh, you’re too tempting.” I rub my hand across my mouth. “I have to go before I agree to do something stupid.” With my jacket in hand, I move to leave.

“Wait,” he says, causing me to stop. “You’re running back to campus alone?”

I nod. “It’s not that far.”

His lips sink into a frown. “But it’s dark.”

I point at a lamppost lit up just outside the gate that surrounds the park. “There are lights the entire way. Plus, the main road has a ton of stores that are still open. It’s not a big deal. I do it all the time. Plus, I carry mace.

“I know, but…” He glances at his watch then back at his friends before returning his gaze to me. “Just let me walk you back. With that Ivy girl disappearing, I won’t feel right letting you walk back by yourself. Plus, it gives me more time to talk to you.”

I’d gotten so distracted talking to him that I’d almost forgotten a woman went missing just days ago in this very area. I want to believe that I’m strong and that I can handle whatever is thrown my way, but I’ve been in a place before where nothing was in my control.

Hands wrap around my ankles as I’m dragged backwards through the dirt…