She did not look happy, and people can do nasty things when they are not happy. “Memphis?” I murmur the second I’m in my seat.
“It’s fine. She doesn’t even know you’re my student, and I already cleared everything with Hilbrand,” he answers without me needing to give him an explanation.
“What’s wrong?” Bates looks between the two of us. “You guys were gone a long time. I almost came looking for you.”
“We got held up near one of the food stands, and there were some people I knew.”
“Not just people. The girl from the dining hall was there, and she…she seems to know…something,” I finish lamely.
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Memphis tells me with a relaxed confidence I wish I could possess.
“What if she says something?”
“What is she going to say? She saw me helping my brother’s girlfriend at the game who’s on crutches?” he challenges.
I tighten my brows. Now I’m wondering if I interpreted that all wrong myself. “I guess,” I agree without conviction. “I just thought maybe she could tell… Forget it.”
“She could tell,” Memphis confirms remorselessly. “Anyone who’s known me for five minutes can tell how I feel about you, but she doesn’t matter. Relax, sweetness. We’re not doing anything wrong.” Memphis pulls my hand over to his thigh and winds our fingers together.
My heart thumps hard against my chest as I look down at our fingers. I love that he touches me and encourages me to touch him when he doesn’t allow it from anyone else besides Oswald and Bates. It makes me feel special and cared for, so I decide to let it go like he asked. Memphis is pretty good at taking care of the things he loves.
FIRSTS
Memphis
Waylynn relaxesher stiff shoulders when I take her hand and place it on my thigh. I was worried it would have the opposite effect, but thankfully, it didn’t.
Fucking Makayla. Waylynn snaps her head to look at me, and I wonder if I uttered those caustic words out loud, but I know I didn’t. I must have telegraphed my thoughts in some other way. I meet her hazel eyes, and she holds my stare for a few seconds, then looks out at the field.
I thought I made myself clear the last time I talked to Makayla in the dining hall that I wasn’t interested, but I should have known she wouldn’t ignore me. When I told Waylynn not to worry about her, I meant it. Makayla wouldn’t go to an advisor. It probably wouldn’t cross her mind, not only because she doesn’t know Waylynn is in my class, but also because she would rather use the information in a way that benefited her, which is why she brought up Oz. She thought she could use the info to get me to spend time with her or force me into bargaining with her in some way. It’s just proof she doesn’t understand me at all or my relationship with my brother.
At the beginning of the third quarter, Bates leans over Waylynn. “Sorry I’m going to miss the rest, but I need to get going.”
It takes me a second to remember why he’s leaving. “We’ll see you there tonight. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I should be good, but thanks.” He leans back and wraps his arm around Waylynn and gives her a half hug while in the seat. She reacts and reaches her right hand over her chest and returns the embrace a little awkwardly while stealing peeks at me.
The minute he releases her, she places her hand back on my thigh with her palm up. I know it’s a big deal for her, especially here where anyone can see, so I’m quick to lace our fingers together and give her a little squeeze of reassurance.
“See you tonight.” She gives him a little wave with her free hand. I notice the mark I left on her neck is barely visible when she tips her head back. The first chance I get, I’ll be making sure to darken it up.
The last quarter is slow, made to seem even more so because all I can think about is taking Waylynn home and having her to myself for an hour while Oz finishes up after the game.
We’re up by seventeen with three minutes left to go, and the other team has lost all their fight, so there’s no point sticking around. I hand Waylynn her crutches and let her walk ahead of me as we make our way out to the walkway.
Lots of people had the same idea, so it’s already busy, but I lead us down a hall and flash my teacher’s badge to the security officer. He barely glances at it before letting us through the passageway.
Waylynn lets out a sigh. “I think it’s even busier than last weekend.” I doubt it, she’s probably just more aware because of her foot.
We take an elevator down to the floor the locker rooms are on and maneuver through the small crowd to wait for Oswald.
I see his wet head approaching before Waylynn does, so I’m not surprised when she lets out a tiny little shriek as he picks her up in a bear hug and buries his face in her neck with her feet dangling. I manage to catch one of her crutches, but the other one hits the wall before sliding to the floor.
“Aren’t you tired? Put me down,” she chastises him.
“Not yet, and no.” He pulls his face back, and she grins down at him.
“You pancaked that guy,” she says proudly, repeating what someone else said.
