Blue went stiff. Then he reached over and pinched the edge seam on the thigh of my jeans, holding me in place.
Brooklyn ignored Ashton completely. “Sheesh, Blue. You got jacked.”
He peeked at his pecs like they were a novelty. “Yeah. I know. Pretty sick, right? I saw when I got out of the shower.” I giggled. Then he folded his arms across his chest making his biceps pop. “I caught Anna checking me out earlier.”
My face flamed like the time Uncle Holden tricked me into eating a roasted ghost pepper that he swore was a sweet red bell. “I did not.”
Blue shot me a cocky grin, his dimple making a spectacular cameo. “You totally did.” My stupid heart wagged like a puppy whose owner had just arrived home after a long day at work.
Tally laughed.
“Blue,” his dad said in a calm yet terrifying tone. “Come give your coaches the respect they deserve.”
My molars clamped at Mr. Bishop’s aggression simmering under the surface. I didn’t know how Blue had put up with that man all these years. Blue of last night had nothing good to say about him. But that was when he couldn’t remember. Today’s Blue was fifteen and thought he didn’t have a choice.
“Be right there,” Blue called over his shoulder. “Nice to see y’all again.” Blue cracked a grin. “I think.” He turned to go, but I grabbed him by the elbow.
I gestured for the three of them to wait in the hall.
As they walked out, I turned back to Blue, a dull ache forming in my chest. “Hey, you’re in good hands here, and you recognize your family now. I have to head back to school. I have Biochemistry tomor?—”
“No, Anna.” He cupped my bent elbows and turned so his back was a wall between us and the group behind him. “You promised.”
I tilted my head. “Blue?—”
“You said you would stay as long as I needed and I’m not done needing.” His eyes were wide, his face ashen.
My shoulders fell but my heart fluttered. “I have classes though.”
His eyes stabbed me. “Please.Just tell me what I need to say to make you stay and I’ll say it.”
I gripped his biceps, ignoring what that did to my insides. “Listen. You can text me or call. We can FaceTime. But honestly, in a couple of days when this is all over, you’re going to remember…” I gulped, not wanting to say the next words. But I needed him to let me go or Silas might kill me. “You’ll remember that we aren’t friends anymore.”
He stepped closer, his palms pressing against my shoulder blades. “I don’t care what we are,” he whispered vehemently. “Or what you say we are. I know what I need right now and I needyou. I can’t do this without you. You’re the only one I feel calm around.”
“Blue,” Shane snapped again.
“Leave him alone,” Missy said.
“He’s fine,” Coach Whitlock said. “We’re all here for Blue. Ease up, Shane.”
“He’s talking to his future wife,” Daisy said. “She trumps everyone else.”
Wow.
Like a couple doing the foxtrot, Blue guided me back two steps, but that was it. There was nowhere else to go in this tiny box of a room. “They said I have money. I’ll pay you.” His eyes were wild. “I’ll pay your next semester of tuition. Your housing. All of it."
“Blue, no. I’m not…” I shook my head. “I don’t want your money.” I felt like a monster. He was so desperate he’d bribe me to stay?
Perfectly timed, my phone buzzed in my back pocket. A metaphorical cattle prod to the rear. Probably a text from Silas telling me to get in the carnow.
I peered over Blue’s shoulder, trying to send a pleading look to Missy. But it was the neurologist who excused himself from the group and walked to us. I thought Dr. LaForce would take Blue from me and tell me it was okay. That they had him. Like when you drop your kid off on the first day of preschool and they’re clinging to your leg.
But the good doctor aimed himself at me. “Look, I know you’ve got school but if there’s any way you could talk your professors into letting you do it online for the next few days, I think it would be beneficial for Blue if you stayed.” His eyes were pressing, sending me a silent message of something more.
“Yes!” Blue pumped his fist, the relief in his face lifting a tiny bit.
“Do you think you could do that?” Dr. LaForce asked, again with the eyes too wide. “I’m happy to call and explain the situation to them.”
