AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s not just the quiet atmosphere, but I need all the madness in my head to quiet down as well. I’ve been helping Uncle Drew. Well, he’s not really my uncle, but my dad’s best friend. Anyway, I help out in the front office of the Blaze sometimes. When the regular staff are on vacation or just overwhelmed, I give them a hand. It’s extra spending money for me, and it looks good on job applications.
When Uncle Drew called and asked me to fill in to make some copies and assemble some packets for the team, I readily agreed. It is the holiday season, after all, and I still have some Christmas shopping to do. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d see Holden Bailey sitting in that room full of Blaze players.
I rushed out of the meeting room and straight to the copy room, pulling out my phone and searching his name. Sure enough, a ton of articles popped up about his trade to the Blaze. I’d been going out of my way to avoid him and missed that sliver of information. I sent Uncle Drew a text that I had a test I forgot to study for and hightailed it out of there. Of course, I knew there were new players and a trade. I admit I love the sport, but I don’t follow the team as much as I used to when my dad played. Hence the shock of seeing Holden.
Back to the present, I missed my regular study location and their coffee, and I have a ton of studying to do, so today, I’m taking my chances and risk that he might stop and see me. My plan is to hide here in the corner, keep my head down and my nose buried in my books and ignore the world around me. Sure, it’s naïve, and I know there is a pretty good chance he’s going to catch me here, but I can’t focus at our apartment, and the library is always too crowded. I needed my familiar space, so here I am. Risking it for the greater good of my education. I’m one semester away from graduation. I’m not going to let my GPA slip now.
Pulling open the door to Cup of Joe, I’m assaulted with the familiar scent and instantly feel my shoulders relax. Quickly I get in line, and when it’s my turn, I order the largest pumpkin spice latte they offer. My usual booth in the back is open, and I rush to settle in. I unpack my laptop, books, notebooks, pens, and highlighters and get to work. I lose myself in my studies, feeling more relaxed and controlled in regards to classes and upcoming finals than I have in a couple of weeks.
I’ve refilled my drink once and opted for a bottle of water instead of a third latte. Four hours later, and I feel like I have a handle on my course load, and although I still have studying to do, I’m not as stressed as I was before I walked in here today. Slowly, I pack everything back into my bag and stand from the booth, tossing my trash in the can next to the door. As I walk to my car, I can’t help but feel relieved that Holden didn’t show up.
Maybe this means that he’s given up. Hopefully, he’s realized I’m not worth the effort of the chase. I’m not falling into bed with him like a jersey chaser. I have higher standards not only for myself but for the man I’m falling into bed with. Tossing my bag into the passenger seat, I buckle up and point my car toward home.
It’s Friday, and next week is finals. I’ve been to Cup of Joe every single day and studied my ass off. I feel good about next week. I’m prepared. What’s even better is that not once have I run into Holden. A part of me is disappointed that I was right. He was after the chase, and once he realized I wasn’t giving in, he gave up. The other part of me is mad at myself. Holden Bailey is hands down the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on, and he wanted me. I wish that I could be that person, the one who can just live carelessly and take the one night he was offering. That’s just not who I am or who I will ever be.
Resting back against the booth, I exhale. I’m ready. Bring on finals and my last semester of college. The last four years have flown by. Closing my laptop, I begin to pack up my things. I turn to grab my bag, and when I spin back around, a surprised squeak flies out of my mouth when I see Holden standing beside my booth.
