It dawns on me a second later.
Oh.
“So I was thinking…” Marc starts, shifting his stick from one hand to the other as we wait in the tunnel.
I always opt for silence before games, which he and everyone on the team knows. It’s not a superstitious thing, I just prefer it.Superstitiousis the cup of tea and peanut butter and jelly sandwich I have before every game while I watch a single episode ofThe Punisher. If I don’t do those things, my game is off.
“Not right now.” My gaze lands on one of the athletic training students. Her hair is tied in a ponytail. It’s not as long or as dark as Anna’s, but it’s enough to make me think of her.
I told myself I’d stop, but seeing black hair is messing with my head. Because it makes me think ofhersand how it had been wrapped around my hand. So “not thinking about her” is easier said than done. Her nails dug into me so deep, I not only bled a little, but I have these tiny crescent moon–shaped indentations on my skin.
I was so intoxicated with her presence, I didn’t realize how hard she was grabbing on to me until the next day.
I had every intention of forgetting her because I don’t mess around with a girl twice, and it seems she feels the same way about guys, or maybe it’s just me she doesn’t want a repeat of.
She should be long gone from my mind, but she’s the reason I came in my jeans from the slightest bit of dry humping.
Damn it to hell. How pathetic.
“Hear me out,” he continues even though I’m looking away. “Why don’t you ask Anna to bid on you?” His voice is quieternow. “It’s obvious she doesn’t give a shit about you. She’s perfect.”
“Ha ha, very funny,” I drone out.
“Don’t tell me you’re actually hurt that she doesn’t give a shit about who you are?”
“Hurt? Me? Absolutely not,” I retort. “I don’t care.”
He considers me, eyeing me up and down like he’s trying to zero in on my bullshit. “You sound annoyed.”
“I’m not, and your idea sounds stupid.”
“It’s not; it’s foolproof. Just think about it. She—and I’m not being funny—doesn’t care about who you or your parents are. So it’s perfect because she could come bid on you before you two part ways and never speak to each other again. You hate repeats anyway. You’re welcome.”
“I didn’t thank you for anything,” I answer, exasperated.
“I just gave you the greatest idea ever. You know I’m right.”
Frustratingly enough, he is. Anna already doesn’t expect anything, but I would have to get her to agree first. And I don’t see that happening. She’s adamant about forgetting I exist.
It’d be great if I could do the same.
“And maybe to entice her to do it, you could pay her…” He trails off. “Just a thought.”
I tell myself the only reason I’m entertaining the idea is so she can outbid Florence.
Not because I want to spend time with her.
8
ANNA
Wednesday, December 11
“I just don’t getwhy you—” I attempt to swallow, but the thick knot in my throat makes it impossible. Clearing it, I stare out the window, idly dragging my finger along the condensation that’s formed on the glass. “Why you can’t be supportive?”
Mom called me a few minutes ago tocompromise, but I know it’s to change my mind. I shouldn’t have answered, but I held on to hope she would listen. That hasn’t happened.
“Stop being so dramatic. I have been supportive.I amsupportive.” She blows out a disgruntled sigh. I can imagine her pinching the bridge of her nose and rolling her eyes. “All I want is the best for you. That’s all your father and I have ever wanted. Have you forgotten how hard we’ve worked? What we did for you and your sister? It’s unfair how you’re treating us.”
