“If you’re into Astrid, why are you messing around with Ana?”
“I’m not, mate. Don’t know what she’s told you, but I’m not interested in her. That shit here last week was all her, and she did it on purpose to hurt Astrid and fuck up my chances of getting her back.”
“She says she’s been fucking you for weeks.”
That manipulative bitch. “Lies. I swear. I haven’t laid a finger on her.”
He eyeballs me, drilling me with a probing look like he’s trying to extract the truth from my head. He clears his throat. “I believe you.”
My brows climb to my hairline. Didn’t see that coming. Thought for sure he’d believe his ex over me, but it’s clear I have completely misjudged him, so I lay it all out on the table. “I can’t stand Ana. She is everything I despise in girls. I honestly don’t know how you went out with her for so long.”
“I thought I loved her, so I made excuses for all the bullshit and drama, but these last few weeks have opened my eyes.”
“I’ve known girls like her before. She’s poison, mate, and if I was you, I’d be celebrating dodging a bullet.”
He slowly nods before throwing his head back and laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
Amusement flickers in his eyes as he eyeballs me. “This, us. Fuck.” He rolls his eyes. “You’re not who I expected, and I think I could like you, bro.”
“I’m not into blokes,” I deadpan.
His grin expands. “Fuck you, Hunt.”
And just like that, the quarterback and the striker become best mates.
34
ASTRID
“You need to put this on,” Callan says when we reach the edge of the Whispering Woods, removing a black eye mask from his pocket.
I send him a withering look. “It’s dark out, Callan. Why on earth would I need to wear a mask?”
“It’s a surprise.” His fingers tuck a few wispy strands of hair back into my hat. I must be insane to have let him talk me into coming out here tonight. If I had balls, I’d be freezing them off right now.
In the two weeks since the party at Thor’s, Callan has been working overtime to win me back, and a girl could get used to this. Every day, he brings me cake and coffee, and he’s been leaving the most romantic notes in my locker. He went to the specialist art shop in town and picked up some new pencils and sketch pads when I mentioned, in passing, how I needed new supplies. While visiting the Bennington Turo campus, to meet with the coach and get a tour of the facilities, he picked me up a sweater and a scarf. Every Friday, he continues to hand-deliver cupcakes to my sisters, inciting a riot as usual. He keeps me company at work in the quiet period between Halloween andThanksgiving, and he gave me some pointers in the gym now I’ve started exercising indoors for the winter.
Callan snaps his fingers in my face. “Earth to Astrid. You totally zoned out on me.”
I shake my thoughts away and refocus. “I really need to wear this for the surprise? What if I trip?”
“I won’t let you fall. I promise.” He cups my cheek with one gloved hand.
This past week, he’s been getting braver, touching me more often, and I don’t have it in me to push him away. The truth is I miss his touch, and I’m finding it harder to keep him at bay.
“I know you don’t trust me, for good reason, but I would never let anyone or anything hurt you. I hope you can trust in that at least.”
“I do.” It’s no lie. I might not fully trust him with my heart yet, but I know he won’t let any harm come to me.
“Then, please, trust me with this. I don’t want to ruin the surprise before we reach it.”
“I’m intrigued and okay. I’ll wear it.” Shuttering my eyes, I wait for him to put the mask on. His breath fans across my face when he leans in, and a shudder works its way through me. His jacketed chest brushes against mine, and I suck in a gasp when his fingers sweep across my cheek.
“You’re beautiful, Astrid,” he whispers, and my heart goes haywire in my chest. He’s been showering me with compliments, and I love it. Callan makes me feel special in a way no one else ever has. I know I’m not going to be able to hold out much longer, and I don’t want to. Gwen would say I’m giving in too easily, but it’s been two weeks, and I’m torturing myself as much as him.
“Thank you,” I say, trying not to melt at his feet as he affixes the eye mask over my hat.
