She’s stunned into silence for a beat. Something shifts in her eyes, but she nods.
“Good.” Tension bleeds from my shoulders. “So, where are we walking tonight?”
“I don’t know.”
She sets off in a direction and I fall into step beside her. On our way through the square, a guy looks her way. When he spots my glare, he takes his eyes off her so fast his neck almost snaps. I nod slowly in satisfaction.
“What do you mean?” I reach for her hand, twining our fingers together.
She darts a look at me from the corner of her eye. “I don’t really walk with a destination in mind. Sometimes it’s a short walk. Sometimes I swear I circle town three times over. Whatever it takes.”
“To clear your head?”
“Yeah.” She peeks at me again, playing with her ponytail. “I’m usually fine in the moment, but at night my anxiety makes it hard to sleep. This is the only way that works to quiet my brain. Thanks for coming with me.”
I give her hand a supportive squeeze. “Yeah.”
We walk hand in hand without a destination in mind, talking about everything from stories about her work at the farm to me regaling her with stories about the times I’ve gotten into trouble with the guys to make her laugh. Time slips by without either of us noticing until I check my phone.
“Oh, shit. It’s after midnight.” I chuckle. “Are you cold?”
She peers up through her lashes. “I’m okay. Do you have to get back?”
“We’re not going back until you’re ready. I’ll walk around with you all night if it’s what you need.”
She smiles. “I’m okay now. I’ve been good for a while, actually.”
Pride stirs in my chest. I let her steer us back towards the center of town. She tries to part ways in the square, but I insist on walking her all the way back to her apartment.
When she leaves me behind at the entrance to her building, there’s a tug in my chest that makes me want to follow her.
THIRTEEN
MAYA
On my wayacross campus Saturday night, I garner several strange looks. It’s worth it. Easton might have me braving a party at the hockey house for him, but just to rile him up, I’m wearing Ryan’s jersey as a joke.
I take it from the amount of blue and green hockey fan gear I spot on and off campus, the guys won their home game this afternoon. When I reach the square at the center of town, Reagan sends a text to our group chat saying she’s running late, but she’ll try to be there later. Hana responds to say she can’t make it after all, apologizing for bailing on us to practice choreography for her upcoming solo.
“Shit,” I mumble.
That leaves me heading to party with the hockey team and their crowd alone. Wearing an Elmwood jersey.
I hesitate in front of the coffee shop, debating waiting for Reagan in there. Another text pops up on my screen. I roll my lips between my teeth.
Hat Trick King:You’re still coming, right?
Maya:Ohhhh, that was tonight?
Hat Trick King::( :(
Maya:Kidding. Almost there. Picked out my outfit just for you.
He replies with a heart. The rush of delight is ridiculous. I tamp down on it to keep my feelings in check. We’re friends. Nothing more.
My pulse skitters again at the thought of him walking with me the other night and because he was the only person to recognize I was upset when he found me on campus. He’s the kind of friend who buys me food and lets me cry all over him while he held me.
I close my eyes, murmuring firmly. “Just friends.”
