Jones and Tamir, my agent, we should nix it but they didn’t agree. They felt it was harmless and can only help bring attention to the school…and me.”
“How did you feel about it?”
“I haven’t watched it. Won’t watch it.”
Her lips met my forehead as I gazed out onto the balcony. “They say you guys are getting engaged this year.”
I knew that because it was the original plan.
I peered up at her. “Things change, and so do people.” Tori stared at me in her usual empty way. “Do you believe that?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you, at least, believe you and I have a real connection?” I was desperate.
Fucking desperate.
Tori nodded. “I told Trisha when I asked her about running off at the mouth with you. I still hate that you were upset. Not just with me, but about me lying when I tell you I feel safe with you. I meant that.”
“I believed it the first time you told me.”
“Good. Now, what’s going on with you? Are you still in mourning?”
“Kind of, yeah, but not about Brick.”
“Then over what? Has he been to see you again?”
I shook my head. “If he does, it’s only when you’re with me.”
“Then what is it?”
Rubbing the side of her thigh, I tried to explain. “There’s too much up in the air for me. It’s the end of March now. Draft night is a whole month away. So I have no fuckin’ clue where I’ll be living in the near future. I’m now stuck with finishing my media obligations and moving back home.”
I felt her tense next to me. “Home?” I nodded. “Like New Jersey?” I nodded again.
“What are you doing this summer?” She lifted that one shoulder. “When’s your fighting schedule done?”
“Next month. I have one more to go.”
I sat up to kiss her. “Don’t make any plans until I find out where I’m going to be. Okay?”
She didn’t say yes…and right away. That shit twisted my gut.
“Can I say something and you don’t get mad?”
“Okay…”
“One of the things that came out of my conversation with Trisha last month is something that’s stayed in my head. You and Aivery have a history. I didn’t tell her anything you told me about the breakup, but she knew it had to do with the Pettiford guy. She said Aivery’s known him since they were kids and probably had a crush on him, but Pettiford never made a move on her until she came to Blakewood.
“Trisha’s point was, whatever it was that she had with Pettiford that broke you and her up, it’s not as strong as the bond you two have built since meeting at BSU. And that’s because since December, when you two broke up, she’s been in the clear to have whatever she wants with that guy, but she hasn’t.” Her head lowered toward me, and Tori’s voice got softer. “Because she’s been wanting you back all this time.”
Anger seized my fucking lungs. “What if that doesn’t matter to me?”
“I’m not finished. Just listen to me for a minute. I like you, Spence. A lot. Probably too much. No.” She shook her head. “I know too much. I don’t want to think I’m going to replace Aivery, just to be hurt—”
“But you won’t be—”
“God!” she murmured, tossing her head back. “Please let me finish.” Then she was back, inches away from my face. “Talk to the girl. She’s been beasting to have your attention for more than a few seconds at a time out here. You need to talk to her to make sure you’re on the same page. You need to close—end—the chapter with her, or however the saying goes.” Tori rolled her eyes. “But you’ve been through a lot this school year, starting with losing your best friend, who was your blood cousin. I have one of those: I can’t imagine what that pain is like. Renata’s been away for three months and even before she left, I was gone for months. It’s been hard. Now, you’re on a fast track into the League. Talk to her. Make sure you two understand each other. Then we can talk about the summer.” She bit the inside of her mouth. “Okay?”
Half-heartedly, I nodded, making her think I agreed. But in reality, my brain stopped processing after she mentioned me losing my best friend.
But I gained another best friend…
Chapter Twenty-Four
-THEN-
“With the twenty-third pick of the two-thousand-seven League draft, the Connecticut Kings select quarterback, Ashton Spencer.” He looked down at his card and included, “Blakewood State University.”