Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“Why is that?”
“Because the Sentinels and the Panthers are neck and neck for top seed.”
“That means like first place, right?”
“It’s more complicated than that, but yeah. We’ve had a great year, and we want to keep that momentum.”
“Makes sense. Whatever you decide about Coach, I’ll be here for you.”
“Fuck, thank you.” He pulled me tighter into his arms, and I loved feeling nearly swallowed up by him. “You’re the one bright spot in my day.”
My lips found his ear. “Kiss me?”
So he did. Our lips and tongues met in a slow, soft dance until we drew away to catch our breath.
“I see my flowers are still going strong,” he said, casting his gaze toward the counter near the window.
“Right? That’s pushing it, though; the leaves are wilting.”
“Did your, um…” He cleared his throat, seeming embarrassed and wary. “Did your mom see my card?”
“No way. I have it hidden in my room. I’ll keep it just like you kept my note from the hospital.”
His eyes softened. “I have a confession to make.”
“What?”
“I…brought your note in my gym bag to last week’s game. I know it sounds dumb, but somehow it makes me feel calmer, like you’re with me and I have your support.”
My heart thumped hard. “It’s not dumb. It’s romantic, Henners. Are you trying to make me swoon?”
“Maybe.” He grinned. “I’ll bring it with me to tomorrow’s game too. It’s a long bus ride.”
I drew him into a slow, steamy kiss. We didn’t do anything but make out, yet it was probably the exact moment I knew my feelings for Henry had changed. I had fallen for him, and I had no idea what to do about it.
“I need to get going. Coach imposed a curfew tonight, and I’m the team captain and all,” he said, reluctantly getting up. “I’ll be sorry to miss the doughnuts, though.”
I laughed. “There will be plenty more times.”
“I hope so.”
We embraced one last time. “Good luck tomorrow.”
Then I watched him go.
34
HENRY
The bus ride was quiet that early in the morning, and I was glad for it.
I’d gotten home in time for curfew last night and made sure to crack down on the others, reminding them how important today’s game was. Sure, our record was damned good, but that meant we needed to win the rest of the season too.
We were playing a tough team with a similar record, and Coach had worked us hard this week. And my dad was working me hard from the other end. God, the pressure in my chest had been like a fifty-pound weight this morning, and Spencer was too groggy to notice how badly I’d sweat in my sheets. Again.
Thankfully, my killer headache went away with breakfast, which was provided by the assistant coaches. But before I could board the bus and indulge, I needed to run back to my room. As soon as I dug into my drawer and slipped Lark’s letter in the pocket of my sweats, I felt better.
Last night had seemed different between us. Tender and careful, like we were saying things with our mouths that we couldn’t out loud. Plus, that watermelon taste on his tongue always warmed me to my core. I desperately wanted to be with Lark, but I didn’t know how it would be possible. I could tell all the sneaking around was getting to him, and it certainly was wearing me down too.
I plopped down in a seat beside Spencer as the pork roll sandwiches were being passed around. Once satiated, I stood to help collect the scraps in a garbage bag, then took it toward the front of the bus.
When I sat down, I remembered the letter and dug in my pocket to retrieve it and place it in my bag. But all I felt was air. I checked my other pocket, which was empty, so I must’ve already stored it away in my groggy state.
Calm down, I told myself as I lifted my bag from under the seat and searched through it, only to come up empty-handed. Had I only imagined shoving it in my pocket? Maybe it was lying on the floor in our dorm. That did nothing to soothe my panic as I searched through all the compartments in my bag again, this time more frantically.
“What’s wrong?” Spencer asked. “Did you forget something?”
“Not exactly.” I shoved my hand in my pocket again. “Lost something.”
“What is it?”
“A…piece of paper that has something written on it.”
“Like a to-do list?” His eyebrows scrunched together. “Just make another one.”
“No, it’s not… I can’t…”
“What the hell is this?” Flash said, bending over to retrieve something in the aisle.
I felt a stab of panic as I sprang from my seat to grab the note from him, but he was already holding it up and reading it out loud.
Henners,
You mean a lot to me.