would never come back. Yet, there she was in the hall today.”
“Damn, man. That’s got to be a shock. So, what are you going to do about it?”
I shrug. “I have no idea. She acted as though she didn’t know who I was. We’re completely different people now. For all I know, she’ll want nothing to do with me. Perhaps that’s why she doesn’t remember me—that’s if she’s telling me the truth. I never heard from her again, even though I gave her my address. We exchanged addresses. We were going to write and keep in contact.”
“Oh well, doesn’t matter. I’m sure you’ll be friend-zoned with her too.” He laughs. “Hey, when is your brother coming in? Coach said we’ll be getting a visit from him.”
Oh, the big superstar pro-football-player older brother. The athletic gene seems to run in our family—or maybe it’s just how much Dad pushes us.
“I’m not sure. Lachlan will probably show up when it suits him. You know him and how he is. All this fame and money has gone to his head,” I say, shrugging.
“Ha, yeah, that’s true. It’s good for you, though; you have an in into the pros.”
“Yeah,” I reply without much enthusiasm. Can’t say it’s high on my priority list at the moment. Of course, I enjoy the sport, but the pressure to perform the best I can is sometimes overwhelming. “We better hit the gym with the rest of the team, or they’ll think we slacked off.” Walking off the field, I grab my bag from the green grass, Blane following closely behind.
“What are you going to do about your woman?”
Without thinking, I backhand him in the stomach. He coughs and crouches over to catch his breath.
“She’s not my woman,” I practically growl. We’re nothing. I want to talk to her again, though it seems as if she plans on giving me a wide berth. A lot can change in ten years. I wonder if she’s still the same warm, funny girl I remember.
Getting to know her and who she is now has suddenly become my number-one priority.
Who is Charity? What happened to her over the years?
“Where have you been hiding, girl? What are you doing here? Just visiting?” Paislee’s questions come at me at a million miles an hour. My hands hug the mug of coffee that’s just been placed in front of me.
After class, Paislee all but dragged me to the campus cafe and forced me into a booth, and now I’m being questioned as though it’s an interrogation. Tension in my stomach pulls tighter with each question. I shouldn’t feel this anxious over talking to an old friend.
Releasing my mug, I hold my hands up. “Whoa, settle down on the questions there. Let’s start with the first one. I moved away with Dad, as I’m sure you remember. He passed away recently, which has now drawn me back here to try and build a relationship with Mom. So, no, I’m not visiting. I’m here permanently.” I suck in a breath after offloading that buttload of information.
Paislee’s hands go to her now open mouth. “I’m so sorry about your dad.” If only she knew how much better off I really was, she wouldn’t be.
“It’s all right. I’m happy to be back here, though. I think. It’s a little surreal. So many familiar faces already, and yet, I’m still the outsider.” I laugh. That’s what I am and always have been. On my own. I’ve kept to my own thoughts. I’m surprised they haven’t sent me mad by now.
Paislee shoves my shoulder across the table. “Stop thinking like that. You’ve got me now. Although, we don’t normally do tea parties anymore. I like actual parties with boys, alcohol, and dancing.”
We laugh together.
“I never got the chance to go to those kinds of parties. It’s always been about getting good grades.” Lifting the warm drink, I take a sip, the heat washing through me.
“That’s all going to change now that we’ve caught up. I’ll give you my number; hand me your phone.”
After digging my cell from the pocket of my bag, I hand it to her. She quickly puts her number in and hands it back.
“There, and I’ve sent myself a message so I have your number as well.”
The door chimes, and Paislee’s face lights up like a girl in love. She waves someone over.
Turning, I spot a very good-looking guy coming in our direction. He takes a seat on her side of the table. They kiss, and then his attention