Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
“But—”
Katelyn steps forward, closing the gap between us. “I know Mason messed it up, and I know you’re angry with him. He gets it, but he’s trying, Josie. His dreams aren’t the same as Liam’s, and that should be respected. Mason’s sorry for what he did, and if he could change it, he would . . .” she pauses. “But he won’t change his mind. This is where he wants to be, at this school with me. With us.”
Tears fall down my cheeks. Deep down, I know Katelyn’s right. After a bit, I nod and let her drag me to the party, telling myself I’m not going to have a good time and will only stay for a little bit because I don’t want to miss Liam’s phone call.
chapter 5
. . .
It’s another Saturday with Liam not playing. The on-air reporters keep saying, week after week, it’s because Liam’s a freshman and soon the coach will come to his senses. The soon part needs to happen now because I want to see my boyfriend on TV. It would be one thing if he played the entire game—I’d be okay looking away once in a while—but as it is with him on the sidelines, I have to stay focused on the screen just so I can catch a glimpse when the cameras pan to him.
Tomorrow, he’ll call, and I’ll hear how sad he is. He tries to hide it, but his voice tells another story. Every time we’re on the phone I want to tell him I’m on my way—that I’m dropping out of school and moving to Texas—but I can’t find the words. I think the reason is I fear he’ll tell me stay where I am, and then my mind will wonder if it’s because he doesn’t want me there or if it’s because he doesn’t want to interrupt my college experience.
Christmas can’t get here fast enough. With the Longhorns record, there’s no way they’re going to a bowl game even if they give the team over to Liam. He’s good, but he’s not a magician and that’s what they need right now. This means Liam and I will have a nice long vacation together. It would be nice to go somewhere tropical. To spend our days lying on the beach someplace where no one could bother us.
Someday.
When the game’s over, the other guys in the rec room cheer because they no longer have to fight me for the TV. That’s another thing I don’t like about college, no TV. Each room should have cable so we can watch whatever we want instead of having to fight others for the remote. Longhorn football is the only thing I watch so I figure the rest of the people in the building can suck it up for three hours on Saturdays during football season. Besides, most of them should go and support our own team and not worry about being the rec room billiards champion.
When I get to my room there’s a note from Katelyn on the white board: At the game, which I already knew. She hasn’t missed one and the only time I do, is when Liam plays first. I haven’t missed one of his either.
I pick up the phone and dial his number, knowing he won’t answer. After four rings, his voicemail picks up. “Hey, babe. I love you,” I tell him and then hang up. He doesn’t need to hear me remind him that he’s the best. He knows he is. The coach will come around soon. He has to.
Reaching over, I grab my calendar to see what time Liam plays next week. As I look at the dates, I realize my period should’ve started by now and by now, I mean eight weeks ago. I don’t know how I didn’t notice . . . because you’re not with Liam every day.
“Holy fuck,” I say as I sit up and look back at the previous month. Each month is like clockwork. Me marking the day my period started, combined with the days Liam and I had sex. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the gap in my calendar. It’s simple. I forgot to write down my last period. It happens. I’m under a lot of stress with school starting and missing Liam, of course I forgot to make a note of one of the most important dates in my life.
I keep flipping, as if the circle around the right number will magically appear. I tell myself each time I don’t see said number that I’m starting to panic for nothing. Liam’s careful. He always puts a condom before he . . . except he didn’t, and he didn’t pull out as promised.
“Holy fuck,” I say again because it’s the only comprehensible statement coming to mind. There is absolutely no way in hell I’m pregnant. The one time he forgets isn’t going knock me up.