A
before t
pushed through the curtains, cast
ing, letting my mind run through drills and strategy. Scrimmage
Audrey slep
in time. Golden hair fanned out on my pillow, her lips parted
I felt
I was sup
ed beside me in photos. The one everyone thought I'd marry. Fi
iked he
t fire. It w
sn't.
ght down fast an
. I needed clear thoughts and tight focus.
he mirror, Audrey was still asleep. Her body tuck
gently, brushi
open. A small smile curved
be at the rin
ghtly. "Same. Coach wants
ked up at me with sleepy eyes, li
eeping my voice even
onde hair into a sleek ponytail and wore her school-issued skating jacket. I slippe
rror, applying a quick swipe of gloss
a small sm
d together. People l
t myself thinking
the edges of my thoughts. H
ater bottle, and kissed my c
d again, grab
r, humming along to the radio
nds of her hair and the glint of her lip gloss. She looked soft.
city was coming to watch. Big deal, I guess. Her voice danced a
n I had to. But I di
ere on he
e her skin met the seat. I reached across and brushed my
was playful, but she pushed my ha
ning in close. Close enough to kiss her neck. Cl
hing, like a whisper of affection. Then she p
yourself
Jaw tight. Not angry-jus
felt like
h
f
disappear inside my skin. Now it felt like she was always holding so
was too tire
seatbelt, straightening her jacket and adjusting
e one last time
ice came out flat, even though I m
ssed my cheek, and s
bottle in one hand, skates in the other. She waved
't wav
e wheel, engine running. The radio played on, some
sn't
. unsa
ide me was caged.
clenched, fingers tapping
s sweet.
y, I was
wasn't eno
. I knew I shouldn't be doing this. We weren't supposed to talk on c
outh, her scent-was already invading my brain. I could
before I could tal
0 minutes. Locke
he point. I didn't
my phone buzze
d to talk on campu
ips. She always had to be cautious, didn't sh
back q
e money. Be the
ays did. Samantha had a way of following the rules until
the headrest, closing
rst night I saw her-at my house, trailing behind Macey, wearing that red l
ave been thinking about her like that. But there I was, watching
I had tried to ignore it, tried to act like she didn't ma
this pull that I couldn't fight. And t
ent. Ten minutes. I could feel the anticipation building.