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Me: You have problems. Don’t act like you kicking ass on the field doesn’t get Carrie all riled up. She’s coming too, right?
There’s a long break before his next text, and I assume he had to get to class. I’m about to tuck my phone back in my pocket when I get another text.
Jesse: Not sure yet. Gotta go. Talk later.
Me: Okay. Can’t wait to see you, bud!
Jesse: Great.
I try to ignore the tonal shift, but it’s hard to do. Even through text, I can feel Jesse’s flirty, cocky energy. It freaks me out when he isn’t like that. Now I’m worried about him and Carrie. I can’t believe something would’ve happened between them. They seemed so happy and in love. Then again, look at Aaron and me.
Speaking of Aaron, I feel his presence next to mine and my body temperature increases by several degrees.
I realize I’m still furrowing at my phone when his low voice rumbles, “You okay?”
I stand up straight and tuck my phone into my pocket, easing a step away from him. “Yep. I’m fine.”
His eyes are laced with concern. “And were you fine earlier?”
My eyes lock on his, and I swallow a lump in my throat. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Most of me is okay, but pieces of me are very much not, and I don’t know how the hell to explain that. I’m not sure if Iwantto.
Thankfully, coming in like a fucking champ to save the day again—even if unknowingly—is Joel. He’s grinning from ear to ear as he walks back into the room.
“Just got off the phone with my dad. Guess where we’re staying in Charleston?”
Everyone’s eyes go wide. “The beach house?” Sarah screeches and jumps into his arms.
He smiles like a proud toddler and squeezes her tightly.
“How?” Aaron asks as Sarah slides out of Joel’s arms. Joel clears his throat and steps away from Sarah. “That place is gorgeous. How is it possibly still available?”
Joel smiles again. “Because my dad went in on it as a time share with his brother and a couple of their friends. After our last visit there, everyone loved it so much they wanted access to it all the time.”
“How are we just finding out about this now?” Miles asks.
“It took forever for it to go through. I was thinking next year for winter break we could go, but this will be even better.”
“Fuck yes, it will,” Aaron says.
And I have to admit, I’m excited. I don’t know where Aaron and I will be or what will happen at that point, but Charleston is one of my favorite places to visit, and that house is gorgeous. I’m excited to go back.
Now begins the wrestling match between my head and my heart over whether I should have any hope that Aaron and I might be together again on that beach, kissingfor realthis time as we watch the sunrise.
Usually my brain is the big bully, but my heart quickly tells it to shut the fuck up and hope.
There’s nothing wrong with hope, right?
Unless it’s a hope so profound, you’ll be heartbroken if it gets crushed.
Aaron
“Wilkinson, my office!” Coach M yells. “Cooper, you come too.”
We exchange a glance and head for the office.
“Yeah, Coach?” Joel asks as I lean against the wall and cross my arms over my chest. Joel always assumes he’s gonna get his ass handed to him if Coach calls him into the office. I guess anyone on the team might think that. For me, I have the privilege of being a coach and knowing that he’s less likely to call me in here and give me hell. Still, I have no idea what this is about.
Coach slides a paper forward on his desk. I lean over to look and see it’s the school paper. Under the sports section reads,Brother vs. Brother: Wilkinson brothers face off in SUNY rivalry.
