LANEY
It’s getting late, and I haven’t seen Burton’s truck pull into the driveway. I probably should’ve asked how long he was supposed to work when we left the field. I could text him, but I don’t know the rules of the restaurant, and I don’t want to get him in trouble.
Sure, he’d had a daytime game, but I’m still surprised he would work this late. Either he really needs the money, or he gets antsy if he’s just sitting still.
I wouldn’t discount that last idea. I’ve never really seen him stay in the same place for longer than fifteen minutes, and he only did that because I fell asleep sitting next to him at the roommate dinner.
I go to bed with my phone next to me, wondering if he’ll call or text me. We haven’t defined our relationship, but I hope he would’ve told me if he was going to be late. Or thought to contact me if he needed something.
It’s hard to stay awake, but the busy weekend drained all the energy out of me. I must’ve fallen asleep, because when I open my eyes again, there’s sunlight pouring into my room from the window.
Clicking the button on my phone to light up the lock screen, I don’t see any notifications. And it’s almost nine o’clock.
I jump out of bed and grab some clothes, putting them on as quickly as possible. I throw my hair up in a ponytail and give another thought of gratitude to Burton for getting my car going again so I don’t have to rely on the bus and train schedule.
On my way out the door, I pick up an apple and put it in my purse. That’ll have to do until I can get a full meal.
Opening a text to Burton, I turn on the voice function so I can drive while talking to him.
“Hey! I’m so sorry I missed our walking session this morning. It’s nine o’clock, and I woke up just a few minutes ago. I’m heading into work today, but let’s catch up after. Oh, I have a game tonight. Are you working at the restaurant? Maybe we can have a late-night snack or something. Anyway, I missed youlast night, and I hope your leg is feeling better. See you soon.”
I end the voice message and send it through the text.
Hopefully he’ll get it and message me back.
CHAPTER 30
BURTON
Physical therapy is the worst. It makes me do things I don’t want to do, but I’m also grumpy because of the injury.
And it gives me way too much time to think about all the things I’ve tried to keep pushed down or out of my mind.
Like how I should’ve texted Laney last night and didn’t.
How I shouldn’t even be leading her on about us.
And I just now remembered her saying she’d go on a walk with me this morning. Things were moving along at a nice pace, and I felt like I was juggling everything well. Now I’m droppingeverything good in my life.
Laney deserves someone who can take care of her, who has the stability to keep things going. Not some guy who’s struggling to balance his sport and paying the bills.
I almost welcome the pain when the trainer helps me stretch, because then I can focus on that instead of all my shortcomings.
My phone pings with a text, and I open it up to see it’s a voice message from Laney. I click on the button to see the transcript because I don’t think I can hear her voice right now without breaking down.
Once I’m done reading, I close my eyes, focusing on my breathing now that my lower half is submerged in a cold pool. I’m a jerk, and I need to tell her that.
At least she didn’t get up early.
The hardest part is that she’s been calling me Court, which is as close as I’ve gotten to anyone in years. How do I distance myself away from everything that is Laney? She’s like a magnet, and I can’t resist.
But will hanging out with me only pull her down?
Billy’s words echo in my brain repeatedly, and I shake my head, trying to focus on anything else. I click on my social media and scroll a minute, hoping my mind goes numb from doomscrolling.
Another text comes through, but this one is from Connie.
We’ve got our tickets to come see you in two weeks. We just ordered the new Lancers gear too. See you soon, Court!
