Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 90795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
I clear my throat before continuing into the room. Nash’s good mood instantly changes, and I’m again reminded that he does, in fact, hate me.
Sadie, though, gives me a smile.
“Your hair still looks perfect,” I tell her.
“Thanks. I like it so much. I’ve been looking up other styles I’m gonna ask Ms. Tasha about next time.”
“That’s awesome. If you ever want to show any of them to me too, you can. You don’t have to, but if you want.”
“Eat up,” Nash tells her before she can reply, being the little father he is to her. I hate that he thinks he has to be, that he has had to be for the last eleven years.
“Also, I wanted to tell you, Nash, if you ever want to play basketball with me too, I’d like that.”
His gaze snaps to mine, for a moment looking like he might say yes, making a burst of excitement grow in my chest, before his features return to scowling. “Why? Because your friend asked me?”
“What? No.” But the truth is, he’s right. I hadn’t asked him before Colton did. “I would like to play with you. I’m probably not as good as Colton, but maybe you can teach me.”
He huffs. “Yeah. Maybe.” His tone tells me there’s not much of a chance of that happening, and then he’s shoving his earbuds in, essentially putting a DO NOT DISTURB sign on himself.
With a sigh, I make my breakfast before the three of us head out. Like always, I drop Nash off first, and I remind him to get the information about basketball tryouts, but he closes the door without responding.
“Don’t give up on him,” Sadie says when the two of us are alone. “I know it’s a lot, but he’ll come around. It’s just…hard on him.”
“I’m not going to give up on him. I promise.”
“He had to deal with a lot from Mom…he was responsible for the house and me. No one has ever kept a promise to us before. That’s why he doesn’t want to trust you.”
I can’t pretend he doesn’t hurt my feelings, but Sadie is right. Why should he trust me? He’s had a lifetime of people letting him down. I’m determined to prove I’m not one of them. “You’re a smart kid,” I tell her. “You’re right. I’ll work extra hard to make sure Nash knows he can believe in me…that you can too.”
She blushes, nodding, then plays with the zipper on her backpack.
“Are you nervous to go to school today?”
“A little.”
“If anyone says anything mean, I want you to text me. I’ll come right away and pick you up, no matter what I’m doing. And whatever those bullies do or say has everything to do with them and nothing to do with you, okay? You’re better than they’ll ever be.”
“You don’t know them,” Sadie replies.
“I don’t have to. I know you.”
She smiles, mumbles a thanks, and then we’re pulling up in front of the school and she’s climbing out.
“Don’t forget what I said. Call me anytime.”
“Okay. Thank you, James.”
“You’re welcome.” Both of them saying my name in one day. Maybe that’s a good sign, but the nerves in my gut tell me that’s wishful thinking.
*
My heart leaps into my throat as I turn down the hallway and see a tall figure in a hoodie, the hood pulled up over his head, leaning against the wall, hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans. I know that body, know those pants and the way they hug his thighs, know the way he stands and the curve of his shoulders.
I wish I could say I’m surprised to see him there. I wish that even with the moment of panic I felt, that my body didn’t almost immediately relax in that way he makes me do. I wish I didn’t want him to be standing there.
I hurry over. “What are you doing here?” I ask curtly.
“I wanted to talk to you about an assignment,” he says, which is probably a lie. He places his hand over my shaking one as I fight to get the key in the lock. “Shh. It’s fine. Get us inside, and we’ll be fine.”
His voice washes over me, makes my skin prickle while little parts of me that feel like they’re sleeping begin to come alive. The key slides into the lock, and as it does, Colton’s hand drops away. I open the door and hurry inside, him right behind me. The sound of the lock clicking back into place echoes through the room.
“I just wanted to check on you,” he says softly, then tugs his hood down. His blond hair is messy, and I have the sudden urge to ask him if I can run my fingers through it.
“I’m fine.”
“It’s okay if you’re not. Yesterday was a lot. I apologize if I crossed any boundaries, especially with Nash. I was just trying to help.”