Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
I caught him looking at my mouth enough times to think he felt the same way.
And even though I couldn’t have him, he didn’t know that. So, why wasn’t he making a move? If he made a move … well, maybe I could explain to Amanda that what I felt for Callan was more than an average crush.
The coach called the game after a while and I waited, feeling like a bit of an idiot for waiting around as the gathered crowd began to disperse.
However, as the team made their way toward the sports building, Callan turned and jogged toward me.
He was tall and athletic and had the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen. But that wasn’t the only reason I liked him. I liked his quiet sense of humor and his mischievousness. He liked to murmur innuendo under his breath in history, trying to make me laugh in front of the teacher. I also liked the way he seemed to really listen to me as I prattled on about whatever was on my mind.
And I liked how secretly smart he was.
He’d helped me out a few times in maths class.
He might not be academically driven like I was, but I really admired how driven he was about football. While we hadn’t had a chance to have really deep and meaningful conversations, I knew that he’d come to Drimwhinnie in the hopes of being scouted by the Pro League U18 teams.
I didn’t know that many sixteen-almost-seventeen-year-olds who were that ambitious and hardworking.
Callan slowed to a stop before me, flashing that boyish, lopsided grin that made my heart race. “You came.”
“I did.”
“I’m glad.”
“Me too.” Bad Beth, bad, bad Beth.
He nodded, pleased. “Can you hang around for ten minutes? I need to get changed.”
Those butterflies fluttered like crazy. “Sure. I’ll meet you at the front gate.”
“Good.” His eyes seemed to light up and he rubbed his nape with a quick grin before turning to run off the pitch.
As I walked away, I texted Mum to let her know I was staying late at school and that I’d get a few buses back into town. Mum and Dad had promised I could get a car next year so I could drive myself to school.
My phone beeped.
I want text updates from bus to bus, kid.
Smiling, I texted Mum back that I promised to do so.
Callan suddenly appeared, his strides long and quick, and that fluttering went riotous. I actually felt a little sick.
“Hey.” He came to a halt before me, studying me a bit uncertainly.
“Do you want to walk to the bus stop?” It was a ten-minute stroll up a leafy residential area of Cramond. I knew Callan had to get the bus to Leith, which was on my way.
“Sure.”
We fell into step, my arm brushing his deliberately. My heart raced as we both took incredibly slow steps toward our destination. The thought made me smile. “You’re so fast, Callan. On the pitch. I can’t imagine you won’t get scouted.”
“Actually, Coach says there are two Under 18s interested in me. Ardarroch and Caley United.”
“Caley are a great team,” I blurted out in a panic because Ardarroch were in Aberdeen and that would take him from my reach. Caledonia United would keep him here in Edinburgh.
He shot me the smirk that made my insides melt. “I know.”
Hope filled me. “So, Caley United, then?”
“Don’t know. They’re only interested at this point. They’ll want to see what I can do on the school team this year.”
“You guys seem to be doing well. I mean, I hear the other lads talking between classes and they seem excited the team is doing well.”
Callan grinned. “We’re starting to win, aye.”
“What is that smile for?”
“Because you’re cute when you’re clueless.”
I shoved him playfully. “I am not clueless.”
Laughing, he righted himself. “You really don’t like not knowing something, eh?”
It was annoying he knew that about me already.
My expression gave me away and Callan laughed harder.
And despite the laughter being at my expense, I couldn’t help but smile because I’d never heard him laugh like that. He was a serious teenage boy, other than the moments he let down his guard with me.
“I’m getting the bus home. I think we’re probably on the same route to a point.”
Callan frowned. “I thought you lived in New Town.”
“I do.”
“I’m in Sighthill. Not exactly in the same direction,” he retorted dryly.
Frowning at the idea I had something wrong about Callan, I said, “I thought you lived in Leith.”
His step faltered. “Ah … well … not really.”
I waited for him to elaborate. “C’mon. I’ve told you about my family.”
“Aye. You have. Your very successful family who live in a fancy townhouse in fucking New Town. New Town, Beth.”
Something unpleasant twinged in my chest. “What does that mean?”
“Your parents are so well off, you live in a house worth millions.”