AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I fixed a bowl of Froot Loops and Cade got Captain Crunch. I couldn’t help smiling at our childish choices.
We sat across from each other at one of the many tables.
When Cade wasn’t looking at me I studied him. I noticed dark circles beneath his eyes and wondered what had caused them. Loss of sleep, obviously, but why?
Before he could notice me staring and make a cocky comment I looked away.
The silence between us was oddly comfortable. I’d never been this content to sit with someone and not speak, but with Cade it was okay. He felt like someone I’d known forever which was weird since I’d known him no time at all.
When we’d both finished eating Cade grabbed my bowl and threw our trash away.
I expected to head separate ways, but he fell into step beside me.
“Thanks for having breakfast with me. I’m sorry I wasn’t feeling very chatty. I just…” He twisted his lips. “I have a lot on my mind right now.” He forced a smile.
“I can relate to that,” I assured him.
“I didn’t want you to think I was being rude since I’m normally so chatty,” he chuckled.
I grasped his arm briefly and squeezed it in comfort. “You don’t need to explain anything to me. I get it. Trust me, I do. Probably better than most people. And honestly, I’m kind of surprised you even like me and want to spend time with me. I haven’t exactly been the nicest person to you.” Taking a shaky breath, I told him, “I’m going to work on that.”
His smile turned genuine and then to a full-blown grin. “Is that so?”
I nodded, smiling because his grin was so damn infectious. Everything about Cade was infectious—no, magnetic.
“Yeah. Be patient with me, though. I’ve…I’ve been through a lot.” I knew that was probably admitting too much, but I needed him to know I had a reason for being so standoffish before. When you went through something like I had, and then had to deal with the aftermath, it made you skittish and untrusting of other people.
“Patience is my middle name,” he winked.
“Of course it is,” I laughed, bowing my head a little.
My dorm came into view and I started up the steps.
“Rae?” He called.
I turned around and smiled. “Yes?”
“This dinner on Sunday…are we really still going as acquaintances?”
My smile widened. “No, Cade. We’re going as friends.”
And then his smile lit my world on fire.
eight
“Are you reeeaaaaady for some foooooooootball?” Thea chanted, coming out of the bathroom. She took one look at me, wrinkled her face in disgust, and grunted, “You are so not ready for some football. What the hell are you wearing?”
“Uh…jeans and a sweatshirt.” I looked down at my attire wondering what she found so appalling about it.
“But it’s all black! You can’t go to the game like that! You’ll stick out like a sore thumb! You need to wear our school colors!”
Since she looked like blue and gold had thrown up on her, I tended to disagree. Seriously, she had on little blue shorts with a fitted yellow short-sleeved top. Blue and yellow ribbons were wrapped around her ponytail. Even her eye makeup was blue and yellow.
She headed for the closet and started rummaging around. It wasn’t long until she was throwing clothes at me that I somehow managed to catch. “Thea!” I groaned. “I’m not wearing this!”
“Yes, you are!” She turned around, hands on her hips. “I am not letting you walk out that door looking like you’re going to a funeral! This is a football game and you’re going to support your school! Team spirit, Rae! Team. Fucking. Spirit.”
Jesus Christ, I was never going to win this argument.
