“Same.”
My bag for the road trip is half-packed on the floor by the closet. The hoodie I gave Lucy three weeks ago is in the closet on the wooden hanger. The wall above my desk has Lucy’s name in pencil in the boxes for Tuesday at four and Thursday at four for the next three weeks. I stare at Sunday and hope she comes over so I can ask her to be my girlfriend. I’ll give Gianna the night, but tomorrow I’m going to call her and ask her permission. I know I’m already involved with the girl and falling fast but asking her out feels like an official thing. I can’t go back after doing it, so I want to do it right.
I pull my phone out and see that Lucy texted.
Lucy:You’re a good captain, Benson.
I look at the text, and her words make me smile.
Me:You’re a good tutor, Lucy.
I put the phone on the nightstand and finish packing.
Chapter 35
Lucy
Giannacomesoutofthe bathroom in a white t-shirt she’s had for two years and a pair of sweatpants. She drops onto the couch on my left and pulls the blanket over both our laps. Love Island is on the TV. There are two pints of ice cream open on the coffee table, both with spoons sticking out of them. Mine is mint chocolate chip. Hers is the cookies and cream. She picks her pint up off the coffee table and looks over with the spoon halfway to her mouth.
“So,” she says like she has something to say but is hesitating. “I have to tell you something.”
I pick up my mint chocolate ice cream. “Okay.”
She quickly adds, “But you can’t tell Benson.”
I go still. Last week I spent five days being the secret between her and her brother, and I am not doing it again.
She sees my face and walks it back fast. “Never mind. Forget I said anything.”
“Gianna.”
“No, really. Forget it.”
“Just tell me.”
She takes a bite and then looks at me. “Pinky promise first.”
I stick out my pinky. She hooks hers around mine.
“Okay.” She exhales like she’s getting ready to tell me something crazy.
“What is it?” I ask, starting to feel a little worried.
She mutters, “I have a crush.”
I exhale.A crush.That I can handle.
“On who?” I ask, feeling my mood turn around. It’s always fun when she has a crush. She becomes obsessed and talks about him nonstop.
“Someone on the team.”
I slam my hand down on the couch. “Shut up!”
“I know.” She gives me a forced smile.
“Gianna,” I scoff, bouncing on the couch in excitement. “Don’t tell me it’s Stanley.”
She throws her head back and laughs. “No.”
