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I fully expected questions, demands, about why my iPad is there. But I guess it’s normal behavior for us. I blink twice at my phone and then hit my messaging app that is set up to message Asher on my iPad.
Me: Your mother called. She’ll pick you up before the game. Six o’clock. Also, I don’t think she suspects anything.
He doesn’t answer back, so I head inside. I say hi to some of my teammates before rushing upstairs to my room. When I get there, the door is open, and Angie is lying on the bed, typing on her computer.
“Hey,” I say happily as I grab my backpack. “I wish I could stay and chat, but I gotta go.”
She sends me a forced grin. The only reason I know that is because I’ve seen her real smile, and that is not it. Unable to handle that since I know I brought Taco around her, I head out. “Quick thing!” she calls to me.
I am already out the door, but I poke my head back in. “Yes?”
“I got into that program in South Carolina. I’m moving after the season is done.”
“Oh.” I lean into the doorway, and while it sucks because I don’t want her to leave, I know it’s for the best. She’s wanted to get into that program; she wants to help athletes with addiction. It’s admirable. Also, it will give her a fresh start. “That’s amazing, Angie. I’m so proud of you.”
“Really? You aren’t upset?”
“I would be if you left me midseason.” I wink. “But no, girl. This is huge. You’ve wanted this. I am over the moon for you.”
Thankfully, she sends me a huge grin. “You haven’t heard anything back about your application?”
I shrug, shaking my head. “Guess they didn’t want me. But how could they when they have your application beside mine? You were made for this program, and let’s be honest, I don’t want to go to school anymore.”
Of course, if the opportunity came up, I would take it. But to save my pride, I figure going with that answer is best. She gives me a small smile. “True. But still, it would have been cool to go together.”
It would be, but what would what mean for Asher and me? I should probably talk to him about that. I’ve put in applications and resumes all over, and I’m not done. I’m about to send out more at the end of the month. Would he go with me? Should I focus on getting a job here in Nashville? Before I can get more into my head, Angie says, “I’m really excited. My parents…not so much.”
I smile. “It’ll be a change, but when you’re out there helping athletes kick addiction, they’ll be proud.”
She exhales hard. “Yeah, it’s gonna be awesome.”
“For sure.”
“Also,” she says, setting me with a look. “Don’t blame yourself for this shit with Taco.”
I swallow hard. “How’d you know?”
“You look at me like you broke me, and you didn’t. This was because of his choices, not yours. You didn’t know he was a sleazebag.”
“I did, and I didn’t. But I definitely wasn’t aware of what he was capable of.”
She shrugs. “It doesn’t matter. He’s nothing to us.”
“No, he’s not,” I say, my heart swelling for her. “I’ll miss you, Ang.”
She beams. “Right back at you. But you and Asher can come visit me.”
She waggles her brows, and I turn. “I gotta go!”
Her laughter chases me out of the room, and I don’t mind it. I could have shared for hours about Asher, but I’m late for class. And knowing my luck, she’ll tell her mom, who will tell my aunt’s daughter, who will then tell my aunt, and she’ll tell my mom. The wicked, tangled web of the Assassins, it’s a blast. For this reason, I don’t say anything because I want to be the one to tell my mom. When, I’m not entirely sure, but I want to tell her.
When I get outside, the cold air hits me in the face as I head toward my next class. I’m almost there when my phone sounds. I pull it out of my coat pocket and see that it’s a message from Asher. His screen name, which he has changed, has me in a giggling fit. It takes a moment to focus on what he said, but when I do, I beam.
YourSexyManMeat: Of course she didn’t. She has nothing to go on until we’re ready for them to know. But, wait. You mean to tell me, I have to watch you, in little shorts, be an awesome badass volleyball star and not get a boner since I’ll be sitting between our moms?
I snort at his question as I shake my head.
Me: No one said you couldn’t get a boner. You’ll just need to contain it.
