“Cassie. Wait.”
I reach the base of the bleachers and pause.
Patrick jogs the last few metres and comes to a stop in front of me. “Hey.”
He beams a smile that I’m sure blinds everyone in a 20-metre radius.
My heart races. “Hi?”
“I … uhh … I wondered if you wanted this?”
My eyebrows rise when he holds up the shirt he’s just taken from the opposing player. I get the sentiment, and it’s sweet, but doubt rises in me and I can’t help myself.
“You thought I’d like a stinky shirt?”
He laughs. “When you put it like that … Maybe I just wanted an excuse to talk to you.”
Someone snorts behind me, but I ignore it.
“You never needed an excuse.”
His dimples pop when his smile grows. I bark out a laugh as he grabs my hand and pulls me down onto a bench. I’m well aware we’re being watched, but he doesn’t seem to care.
“I should have asked you the other night. Are you still going to Auckland Uni?”
I nod.
“We’re moving to Auckland at the end of January. Mum and Dad bought a house up there. I’m really glad you’re going there too.”
He’s so full of enthusiasm, and it’s catching.
“I can’t wait to get out of here.”
His eyes search mine. “Me too. It’s a fresh start.”
I force a smile.
“That’s how I feel.”
“I want to spend my summer with you. I mean, if you want to hang out. It’s been too long.”
My throat tightens and I’m not sure how I’m still breathing, the way my whole body’s reacting to him.
“I … I’d love to.”
Swallowing down my fears won’t be easy, but I have to have some faith in him. He hasn’t so much as glanced in Vicki’s direction, and his entire attention is focused on me.
He beams. “Good. Now, I’ve got to go and get dressed and get out of here. Do you have much to grab? I can help if you want?”
I shake my head. “Just some final bits and pieces from my locker. I'll be fine.”
Leaning forward, he pops a kiss on my cheek. My skin burns from the contact, and he sits back and gives my knee a squeeze. “Okay. Catch up with you later.”
For a moment, I’m dazed as he walks away.
Did I slip into a parallel universe?
I’m at a loss to understand this change in behaviour, and I’m not really sure I trust him yet.
