I grin and tap the voice-to-text.
“Not as hot as you, pretty boy.”
A second later?—
Caleb
Can we go back in time? I wish we would have done it in the shower.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “You wouldn’t have made it onto that bus if we did, baby.”
Three dots. Then…
Caleb
I wish I could just ride with you. Then we could spend more time together.
I smirk. “You mean you want me as your personal chauffeur and then use it as an excuse to fuck in hotel rooms?”
Caleb
It’s like you read my mind.
“Don’t tempt me, baby.”
There’s a pause, then one more text.
Caleb
Hey Miggy?
“Yeah, baby?”
Caleb
Thanks for coming. Seriously. It meant a lot.
I don’t answer right away. “Whenever I can, know I’ll be there. Right behind you, supporting you in the stands.”
Another buzz?—
Caleb
Behind me? I think next time I’ll be behind you.
I laugh out loud, the sound echoing through the truck.
God, I’m in deep.
FIFTEEN
CALEB
By the time the bus gets back to campus, it’s close to midnight. We’re dropped off in front of the athletic center, and everyone peeled away fast, guys calling goodbyes, the sound of rolling duffels echoing off the wet pavement. It’s still warm for winter, that strange California kind of night where the air sticks to you and the sky looks bruised instead of black.
I love it.
My legs ache from sitting too long, and my head’s still half stuck in the game. Winning didn’t even feel like winning last night. We crushed it, and all I want is silence.
