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My biggest fear is that he never will be.
Poppy
With an extra fifteen minutes before the start of class, I decide to stop by the coffee house on campus and pick up an iced latte. I need something to get my blood pumping, and with any luck, this will do the trick.
If not, I’m in for a long morning.
As I open the door, I realize quite a few people had the same idea. I step into the queue and wait patiently for my turn.
Thankfully, the baristas are used to the heavy student traffic and keep the line moving at a steady clip. As another person steps up to the counter and places their order, a voice from behind says, “Hey, Poppy.”
My heart stutters as I glance over my shoulder and find Levi. We haven’t spoken since he walked in on Mason and me kissing in the locker room. I caught sight of him in class a couple days later. Instead of parking himself next to me like usual, he sat with a couple of friends. When he refused to meet my gaze, I’d assumed he was angry.
“Hi.” My fingers flutter nervously before tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “How are you?” I steel myself, unsure if I’m about to get an earful.
“I’m good.” He glances at the large picture window that takes up most of the front wall. “Looks like it’s gonna be another nice one today.”
When he flashes a smile, I blink, surprised by his friendly demeanor. Whatever I was expecting, this wasn’t it. He doesn’t seem angry at all.
Is it possible I had it wrong and he never had feelings for me?
I release a steady stream of air as my muscles loosen in relief.
But still…
I feel like I should apologize for what he walked in on and make sure we’re good. More importantly, I don’t want him mentioning it to my father. Or anyone else. The last thing we need is rumors flying around campus.
“About the other day…I’m sorry if you were thrown off by what you saw.” I clear my throat as heat stings my cheeks. “I’d thought we were alone.”
He hikes a brow. “In the guys’ locker room? Seems like an awfully strange place to make out, but whatever floats your boat.”
I glance around, hoping no one overheard his comment.
“You’re right. It shouldn’t have happened,” I mutter. I can’t deny that part of me wants to go up in flames.
Like I need Levi’s judgment?
I don’t think so.
“How long have you two been seeing each other?”
“Not long,” I admit. “We’re still pretty new.”
“Does Coach know?”
My teeth sink into my lower lip as I give my head a quick shake.
“Huh.” His hand rises to scratch his chin as he shifts his weight. “I can’t imagine him being happy about it.”
Everything inside me stills. “Why would you say that?”
“Seriously?” Disbelief flashes across his expression. “Because the dude is like…thirty-five or something.”
“He’s twenty-seven,” I correct, irritated by the direction this convo has swerved in.
“Same difference,” he says with a careless shrug.
“Not really.” Twenty-seven is hardly old.
