Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Oh my god, you actually live in that?
Shock and disgust had weaved their way through her voice. The scrunched expression marring her pretty face had only driven home her genuine thoughts. I’d slunk from her fancy sports car with my tail between my legs and heat scorching my cheeks. She never offered me another ride and I refused to ask.
The memory is enough to have my belly tightening painfully as nerves explode inside me. Austin lives in the same wealthy subdivision as Jasper. His house is even bigger and more impressive than the Morgans’.
When my phone chimes, I slip it from my back pocket and glance at the screen, wondering if Mom is finally getting back to me.
Where the fuck are you?
Nope. Not Mom.
Another text quickly rolls in.
Are you going to answer me?
Absolutely not.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I mute the sound as a third text flashes across the screen. Needing to change the topic of conversation, I blurt, “Congratulations on the game. That win had everything to do with you.”
For the first time this evening, a smile curves his lips. Even when he was out on the field, turning the game around, there wasn’t a hint of joy written across his features. The look of concentration etched there was palpable.
At the party afterward, I couldn’t help but sneak furtive glances from beneath the fringe of my lashes. When classmates who had always gone out of their way to snub him were suddenly singing his praises, his stoic expression never faltered. I watched him nod in thanks before turning away and coolly dismissing them. Unlike Jasper, he didn’t stand there, soaking up all the adoration.
As the slow smile moves across his face, tipping the corners of his lips upward, my breath catches almost painfully at the back of my throat, and I find myself unable to look away. If I’d thought he was handsome before, it’s nothing compared to how arresting he is with pleasure lighting up his eyes.
“Thanks.” There’s a pause. “It felt good to be out there again.”
“Hopefully now that you’ve shown what you’re capable of, you’ll get more play time.”
What can’t be denied is that Austin is talented and a natural leader on the field. Even guys loyal to Jasper followed the other boy’s lead and played better under his direction.
“That would be nice.” His deep voice turns wistful. “I miss playing like I did in Chicago. I’ve been a starter on varsity since freshman year. Moving here and sitting my ass on the bench every game is tough to swallow. Especially when…”
His jaw locks as his voice trails off.
It’s so tempting to reach out and smooth my fingers over the grooves that line his forehead. I want to bring the lightness back into his expression.
Instead, I finish his sentence. “Especially when the guy you’re second to isn’t nearly as talented.”
His thick brows furrow. “It’s a lot to choke down. This team isn’t nearly as good as the one I played on. We’ve won championships. And yet, I’m treated like someone who walked on without any experience. I’ve been playing since I was six years old.”
I can’t imagine how difficult that would be. It reframes Austin’s entire experience in Hawthorne. He has every right to be angry. My heart constricts, going out to him.
He’s been through so much in such a short period of time.
“You probably wish you’d never heard of the town of Hawthorne.”
How could he not?
When he glances at me again, our gazes lock and hold. I feel the connection straight down to my toes. It’s only when he rips it away to stare out the windshield that I become aware of the air trapped in my lungs.
“For the most part.”
I don’t realize that my hand has settled over his until the warmth of his fingers radiates against mine. Eyes widening, I still, wondering if I should pull away.
His gaze flicks to where we’re now connected before returning to the road.
“There’s only one good thing that’s happened since we’ve been here. Everything else is shit.”
A prickle dances across my skin, wondering what it is. I want to ask.
But I don’t.
Can’t.
“I’m sorry about your father,” I murmur.
His shoulders are so broad and strong, only now do I realize that he carries the weight of the world on them. The way they slump forward shatters my heart into tiny, fragmented pieces.
It’s so tempting to pull him close and stroke my fingers through his short, dark strands. I want to tell him that everything will be all right, even though I have no idea if that’s the case. More than anything, I want to bring the smile back to his lips.
“I know what it’s like to lose a parent. My dad died when I was seven.”
His lips tighten into a thin line. “I can’t imagine life ever returning to normal.”
“It won’t. But you’ll find a way to make peace with it and move on. It’ll just take a while.”