‘Sure.’
‘Have you given any more thought to the weekend?’ he asks, and my stomach tightens with nausea at the thought of going on a date with anyone who isn’t Mason. I would love to say yes to Dylan, but it wouldn’t be fair on him when my mind is consumed with someone else.
‘Look, Dylan ...’ I sigh.
He holds his hands up. ‘Don’t say it, Anya. I’m patient. I’ll wait. For when you’re ready.’
I release a breath as I smile, feeling instantly relieved he isn’t being pushy like I thought he would be. Again, I have a niggling feeling he’s had a conversation with Phoebe about me. ‘Thanks, Dylan.’
‘Any updates on your party?’ He wiggles his brows.
My birthday is fast approaching, and I feel a flutter of excitement in my chest. I have been counting down the days until my eighteenth foryears. Mason had always promised me that once I turn eighteen, things would be different. He promised me that, if I still feel the same – even after everything that’s happened – we can be together. It’s been a long time coming.
‘My house. Anyone who is anyone will be there.’
He grins. ‘It’s going to be epic.’
22
ANYA
I HATE RUNNING LATE.
I should already be on my way to the game, but I was so engrossed in my book I lost track of time. As this is a regular occurrence for me, I live by setting multiple alarms throughout the day to keep me on track, but, somehow, I forgot to set this one.
Jumping up and down, I yank on my leggings and almost topple over in the process. I slip my satin top over my head, shimmy into it then detour into Zayden’s room. I switch the light on, and I make a repulsed face at the piles of the clothes scattered across the floor. I eye the six empty water bottles lined up on his bedside table and the box of condoms that looks nearly empty. Classy, big brother.
Stepping over the mountain of clothes, I yank open his closet door and peer inside. I huff in frustration when I don’t immediately find his jersey; I always wear it to the game. I once wore Mason’s, but Zayden got a bit weird about it, and with everything that’s happened since, I don’t feel comfortable doing that now. Groaning, I jog down the hall and into the laundry. Opening the washing machine, I look down into it and see a pile of wet clothes sitting in there. I sift through, finding his jersey plonked at the bottom of the machine. I pull it out and wince at the feel of the damp material.
My eyes travel to Mason’s doorway, and I chew the inside of my cheek. For a moment, I consider wearing his jersey instead, before shaking off the idea.
‘Anya!’ Nora hollers from downstairs. ‘We have to go!’
‘Coming!’ I call back, rushing to my room and swiping up all my last-minute things.
Hastily making my way down the steps, I head out to Nora’s car. The fresh night air stings my skin and I curse under my breath, wishing I had gone back to find something else to wear, but it’s too late now.
‘Hi, hi, sorry!’ I say breathlessly, throwing myself into the passenger seat.
‘You’re going to freeze in that!’ Nora exclaims, eyeing my bare arms that are pebbled with goosebumps.
‘It’s fine, let’s just go before we end up missing the start.’
The car park is full when we arrive, and we end up parking in a small grassy area that I’m positive is not somewhere we’re permitted to park, but Nora does it anyway. The roar of the crowd is deafening, even all the way back here. Cheers erupt, and people stomp on the ground beneath them, shaking the grandstand.
‘Would you kill me if I said I have to pee?’ I whisper, sending Nora an apologetic look.
‘Go, I’ll find us a seat,’ she replies with an eye roll.
‘Won’t be long.’
Running to the bathroom, I’m relieved to see there isn’t a line – everyone has probably found their seats by now, as the cheerleaders are either about to perform or already are. I hope we haven’t missed any of it, since Cami is performing and has been gushing about it all week.
I’m looking down at my phone as I exit the bathrooms, trying to understand where Nora is sitting from her jumbled text message.
‘Hey, you.’
I yelp in alarm, jerking back. Kai smiles down at me.
