“Maybe it won’t be easy, but I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. If that means we take it slow, then that’s what we’ll do. We figure it out as we go. I promise, though, no more secrets. No more hiding or pretending between us.”
A small grin pulls at her mouth.
“You think you can handle that, Sug?”
She smirks. “Please. I’m the one who hit the bull’s-eye tonight. I can handle you and anything else thrown my way.”
“Guess you’ve got me there.”
I reach across the table, curling my fingers around hers. She doesn’t pull away.
And for once, it doesn’t feel like I’m standing on the edge waiting for everything to fall apart.
We’ve both got things to prove—we’re still figuring it out. But sitting here, in this crowded bar with her hand in mine, it feels like maybe I’ve found something worth holding on to.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Clay
It’s late by the time we get back to my place. During the entire drive, she’s in the passenger seat, with one leg tucked under her, telling me about the time Summer caught the microwave on fire, and I can’t stop smiling.
This feels different. I’ve been carrying so much for so long that I almost forgot what it’s like to breathe without all that weight. But with her, it’s easy.
I pull into the lot, tires crunching over gravel. The radio plays in the background. She finishes her story, laughing so hard she hides her face behind her hand, and I can’t help but think I could listen to her forever.
“Okay, that can’t be real,” I say, chuckling.
“Oh, it’s real,” she says, voice muffled through her fingers. “She left her curling iron plugged in and went to class. Came back to a scorch mark shaped like Texas on the carpet. We spent two hours on YouTube trying to figure out a DIY fix for it.”
I shake my head, still grinning as I cut the engine. “The two of you seem to attract chaos, you know that?”
She turns to me, eyes shining. “You better get used to it too because that’s what you’ve signed up for now.”
“Yeah,” I admit. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
We climb out, and she jogs ahead of me toward the stairs, her laughter echoing across the empty parking lot. I catch up easily, looping my arm around her waist and pulling her close as we walk.
“Hey!” she says, breathless when I spin her before setting her down. “You’re in a good mood.”
“Can’t help it.” I grin. “You make it hard to stay grumpy.”
“I’m not always this happy,” she teases. “Careful, Coach, or you’ll ruin your reputation. Keep that up and no one’s gonna believe the Scrooge act anymore.”
I nudge her. “Something tells me you’ll find something.”
We’re still laughing as we reach the door to my building. It almost feels foreign after all the drama we've gone through the past few days. I’m halfway through fishing my keys out of my pocket when a voice cuts through the quiet.
“Well, isn’t this cozy?”
My hand stills, and I feel Tessa go rigid beside me. I’d recognize that voice anywhere. When I turn slowly, there he is, leaning against the wall.
Evan stands a few feet away, hands shoved into his jacket pockets, his expression unreadable in the dim light.
Tessa’s breath falters beside me. “Evan?”
He steps forward, anger rolling off him, his shoulders square. “Didn’t mean to interrupt. Looked like you two were having a good time.”
The air shifts instantly, and the warmth from just a second ago is sucked right out of the night.
