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Before I can answer, Hagan says, “I’ll take her to get it.”
“No, it’s late.”
“Adalee it’s eight thirty,” Hagan says, grinning as he shakes his head.
ChapterTwenty-Two
Hagan
Monday morning hangovers are real.And no, I didn’t drink last night, instead Adalee and I drove to the store to retrieve her phone. Then we went back to her apartment and watched a movie with Joe and Ginger.
I touched her the entire night. Either my hand was on her leg or holding her hand throughout the movie. Except when she dragged me into the kitchen to make popcorn. She drizzled chocolate over it, and tossed it, spreading it evenly throughout the bowl. Then she popped a piece into her mouth. I watched her chew, and that’s the moment I fell for her.
Patiently waiting for her to swallow, I cupped her face with both hands, sealing our lips together. Her mouth was sweet and salty, smooth and warm from the hot chocolate. Our mouths moved like we had been kissing forever.
We were gone long enough that Ginger yelled, “What are you doing in there? We need food.”
Adalee and I pulled apart with grins a mile wide pasted on our faces.
It was the best Sunday of my life—Sundays will forever be my favorite day.
So now, I’m hung over on love.
Concentration evades me as I shave, nicking my jaw. I roll up a tissue and apply pressure, but the cut keeps bleeding. Half the time I’m getting dressed, I don’t remember pulling out my athletic pants or sweatshirt. I’m rooted in memories from yesterday.
Finally, I grab my backpack and hustle down the stairs. I tend to get anxious if I run late so I snag a protein bar from the drawer and a shake from the fridge. The Rover’s windows are frosted over which is going to take a few minutes to defrost.
My phone buzzes inside my sweatshirt pocket. When I remove it, I see Adalee’s name on the screen. Behind her name is black, which reminds me to take a photo of her. But should I make her my screensaver if we aren’t officially a couple?
“Hey, gorgeous,” I say and can almost feel the blush on her face by the way she stalls before answering.
“Hi, I can’t be in class today. Can you take notes for me?”
My stomach sinks as I wonder if she isn’t sure about dating me. If this is moving faster than she’s comfortable. “I’m driving because I was running late. I’ll swing by and pick you up.”
“I have a doctor’s appointment with the surgeon. He’s doing more tests to make sure I’m ready to get the brace off. My dad doesn’t….” Her voice trails off. There’s definitely a story and sadness behind her words.
“I’ll skip class and go with you.”
She lets out a deep sigh. I know how much athletes hate talking about their injuries, much less sharing it firsthand with the doctor. I’m overstepping into a private part of her life, but damn I want to share it all with her. Then she asks, “Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?”
There’s a trace of vulnerability in her voice so I don’t hesitate. “Be there in five.”
Adalee’s bouncing her knee. I place my hand on her thigh, hoping to have a calming effect.
The waiting room consists of blue uncomfortable chairs, bad lighting, and fake plants.
“They should have live plants in here. The air wouldn’t feel so stale,” I say in earnest.
I’m rewarded with a hiccup of a laugh. “True. Maybe I could breathe better.”
“Don’t be scared. I’ve got you. Good news or bad.”
It’s been over two months since the night she fell, thinking about me. I have to admit it makes me grin—me being on her mind. It’s hard to believe I first laid eyes on her that long ago. There was an underlying current between us, even then.
Good things come to those who wait. I say it’s a combination of knowing when opportunity arises and taking advantage. When we were paired together for the engineering project, it was the beginning of us.
“Don’t forget you’re the reason I’m here.”
