“I’m sorry. I hope he’s okay.”
He huffs out a dry laugh. “Fucker tried to play through it before the coaches pulled him to put in our backup goalie, Holland. Eric is feeling the pressure to perform.”
I lean closer to the small screen to study him, wishing we were together. “You don’t seem that worried about losing.”
“I’m staying positive, like that paper you were writing last week.”
My lips twitch. “The law of attraction and its application in mind-brain sciences for alternative therapies?”
“That’s the one.” He snaps his fingers. “We should be okay. Losing this one shouldn’t affect our overall standing since we’ve been on fire. As long as Reeves didn’t hurt himself too badly, we’ll be fine.”
I fold my arms on my desk and rest my head, closing my eyes to listen to his soothing voice. It washes over me, allowing me to pretend he’s here.
“You, on the other hand,” he says slowly.
I crack an eye open, finding him leveling me with a pointed look. “What about me?”
“You told me you finished all your assignments for the next couple of weeks. What are you working on?”
“Um…” I sit up, scanning the array of books surrounding my laptop on my desk. “I figured I should get ahead. I mean, I might as well. Right?”
“What happened to that break Marnie made you take last weekend? This is why she gave you time off.” His brows furrow. “Maya, you’re gonna work yourself into the ground.”
An uncomfortable heat burns in my chest because he’s paying close attention. And he’s right, I’m working myself too hard.
His eyes pierce into me, but I don’t have to explain what’s driving me on again. When I came back from visiting my grandfather, he was the first person I went to. He stroked my hair and listened as I recounted what happened.
I’m still shaken by it. Seeing Grandpa crying has always killed me, but seeing the fear and desperation in his eyes absolutely shattered my soul and stole away the hope I’ve been grasping to that he was getting better.
My grandfather is the strongest person I know, but even he isn’t strong enough to fight death. It comes for us all eventually. It’s a truth we can’t outrun.
Releasing a tight exhale, I swallow past the lump in my throat in an effort to keep my emotions in check.
“I just want to finish,” I push out.
“You will. You don’t have to rush it all.”
“But I’m running out of time.” My voice breaks, throat aching with an agonizing sting as Grandpa’s breakdown hits me again. “I have to finish.”
Easton gives me a heartbreaking look, bringing the phone closer as if it could bring us together from the miles separating us. A band constricts around my heart. I need him and he knows it.
“I wish I was there with you right now,” he says gruffly. “I want to hold you in my arms.”
“Me too. I could really use one of your hugs.”
“The minute the bus gets back to campus, I’ll be there. If you’re already asleep, know you’ll be waking up in my arms on Monday.”
“Thank you for putting up with me.” I sigh, giving myself a squeeze.
“Baby, it’s not a hardship. I’m not putting up with anything. You need my support? You’ve got it. Just like you do for me. We’re a team, right?”
“Yeah.”
“A team has to be open with each other. If we don’t communicate, we’re in the shit, you know?”
“You’re right. I know it’s better to do that instead of holding it in on my own. I’m still getting used to having someone I trust enough to see me fall apart when I’m frustrated or afraid.”
“It’s okay. I’m here for all of it.” His expression softens when I nod. “You just have to let me be there for you instead of bottling it up.”
