Not looking likely in the immediate future.
I spot the beautiful brick building that stands at the east side of the campus and begin looking around for Luke’s car. A particularly nasty gust of wind whips up, knocking a few strands loose from my braid that fly in front of my face. I try to tuck them away as I scan the street and finally see Luke’s car idling by the curb.
I jog over to it, my bag knocking against my back, and glance around to see if anyone is on the sidewalk. It’s thankfully empty and with Luke’s tinted windows, once I’m inside we’ll be in the clear.
The door opens as I approach, and I quickly duck inside. It’s gloriously warm, and I sigh in heavy relief as I sink into the seat and shut the door to the miserable weather outside.
“You good?” Luke chuckles as he pulls back out on the road.
“It’s a nasty day out,” I complain. “And with the game, I’m just going to be cold inside out all day.”
“You’ll be sweating soon enough,” he says.
I glance over, and he smirks at his own joke. “Are you making a promise you can’t keep?”
He puts a hand on my thigh as he drives. “Never.”
I shiver as he makes the short drive over to the park near campus and down the snow-covered dirt road that leads back to one of the walking trails. It barely looks like it’s been driven on since we got a snowstorm last week.
“What are we doing?” I ask as the bare trees begin to shelter us from view, and the streets disappear out the back window.
“Stealing a little bit of time together.” He pulls into the very small, secluded, and thankfully barren lot, and puts the car in park. He keeps it running though, and I’m grateful for the heat still blasting out of the vents.
Luke turns, takes my hands in his, and brings them to his mouth. Blowing warm air into them, he squeezes my fingers gently, slowly bringing them back to life.
“I missed you this week,” I whisper, our eyes locked.
He smiles against my hands. “You saw me everyday.”
“I know, but not how I wanted to.”
“Exactly why I wanted to see you before the game. You haven’t had any extra time for me this week.”
I had an exam of my own this week, on top of Dr. Tolton’s class having theirs, so that ramped up the tutoring session earlier in the week. Between then, my usual shifts at the café, and practice, Luke and I haven’t been able to find any time to see each other. We’ve been better about sneaking in at least one night where he takes me back to his place after our workout for us to hang out for a little bit before returning home to my apartment lately, but I’ve been too exhausted this week.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“Don’t apologize for being busy. I’m fully aware of everything you have on your plate. Just means I need to be more creative about getting some time alone with you.” He kisses the back ofmy hand and releases them. Even though they’ve fully warmed up, I wish he wouldn’t have stopped.
“How was dinner with your family this week?”
“Good.” He nods. “They’re planning to come to another game soon.”
I shift in my seat and play with the zipper of my coat. “Do I get to meet them?”
He tilts his head thoughtfully. “Well you already met Seb at the family skate.” “
“I know, but like the rest of your family?”
“Would you like to meet them?”
I shrug. “It’s your family. That’s your decision.”
“I mean, yeah, I’d like for you to meet them. Obviously, we can’t…I can’t?—”
“Introduce me as anything more than your player,” I finish for him, and he gives me a pained look.
“Yeah,” he says softly. “But still, I’d like for you to. If you’re up for it.”
