He was gone and I live with that.
Every second counts.
Every moment could be the last.
SIXTEEN
MAYA
It’stwo hours after dark by the time I make it back to campus on Sunday. Ryan parks in the lot behind the dorms.
“Need me to carry your stuff?”
I can tell he’s not that eager to since he still has an hour and forty minute drive between here and Elmwood.
“No, I didn’t pack much. It’s light.” I hop out and grab my bag from the back seat. Before he leaves, I lean in the window he rolled down. “Thanks for the ride. Drive safe.”
“Yeah. See you later.”
“Text Mom and Dad when you get to school.”
He waves in acknowledgement and shifts into gear. I back up, watching him pull out before I head for my apartment. It’s just me tonight. Reagan won’t be back until tomorrow morning.
Easton texted me during the drive back until he went to practice. I let him know I made it.
Maya:Just got to campus. How’d your practice go?
Hat Trick King:Hi [heart emoji]
Hat Trick King:Good, it just ended. Wyd? I need a quick shower but we could hang out if you want to go get coffee.
I grin. Coffee sounds good, but seeing him sounds even better. I let him know I’m almost at my apartment.
Once I’m in the door, I drop my bag and turn on the hall light. Maybe I could see if Easton wants to come over after coffee to watch a movie. My lips twitch because there’s almost zero likelihood we’d be able to pay attention to it before our hands would be all over each other.
After that amazing kiss at last weekend’s party, he walked me home and gave me another sweet kiss before he left rather than pushing me for more. A bright glow fills my chest at the thought, then turns hotter as heat pools low in my stomach. I wasn’t ready for more then, but I missed him while we were gone for break.
I want to see him. I want to kiss him.
Biting my lip around a smile, I start to text him that he should forget coffee and just come over.
I freeze when I swear I hear something in the dark beyond the hall. “Reagan?”
Did she decide to come back early without telling me? I want to believe it’s her, but even on my way to her room something feels…off. My stomach clenches and the hair on my arms stands on end as I flick on the light in her room, finding it empty. Heart beating hard, I strain my ears, wondering if I was hearing things.
A muted thump reaches my ears. My heart plummets and ice spreads through me.
I think that came from my room.
The vibration of my phone ringing feels too loud. It slices through the tense silence, startling me.
Shit, shit. I answer it without looking, keeping my voice low.
“Hello?”
“You went quiet on me. Where’d you go?” Easton teases.
“Um,” I breathe while trying to peer from Reagan’s room to mine to see what’s going on.
