I realized Noah was lonely. Fuck. I assessed him as we got to the stairs, where we would split up to go to different classes, and remembered I had the evening free.
“Me, you, and Dustin, later tonight?” I asked him casually, adjusting my backpack’s strap. “After dinner? We could do one-on-ones?”
Noah nodded. “You using Dustin for center?” he asked curiously.
“Yeah, and then we can just let him run routes. He loves it.”
“Okay.” Noah hovered. “Um, yeah.”
I slapped him on the back. “Cool, make sure you eat with us too, hmm?” I started heading to class. “See you later.”
The day went as it always did. Practice after classes was film study and route plays. Dustin said nothing when Noah took the seat beside him in the theater, just moved his leg away to make room for him.
After ninety minutes of film dissection, we went to the dining hall, and conversation was light and easy as we ate dinner.
“We’re going back into the center to run one-on-ones, you’re coming,” I told Dustin as I ate my apple. “I’m going up to the dorm to change,” I added, looking over at Noah. “Do I need pads, or are jeans and a shirt okay?”
“Don’t plan to break you,” he said with a careless shrug. “Wear whatever.”
“Wow, I’m . . . thankful?”
Dustin barked a laugh. “How come I’m the third wheel on your one-on-ones?”
“Because if we’re training for the third time today, so are you,” I said, flicking my napkin at him.
“Aren’t you supposed to be at the library tonight?” Dust asked as he shoved his chair back.
“Met her earlier today. It’s cool.”
“Cool.” Dustin grinned. “So? Can I run routes while you two practice?”
Noah gave me a sly look.
“See?” I said, smirking. “Told you.” We left the dining hall, and I looked down at my shorts and hoodie — same as theirs. “Screw it. No need to change. Let’s just go.”
Dustin took off at speed. “Tag, not it for cleaning the equipment!”
“Not it!” Noah yelled, sprinting after him.
“Bullshit! Cheaters!” I called, breaking into a run, laughter mixing with the sound of our sneakers slapping the pavement as we ran to the athletic center.
Savannah Cole was the last thing on my mind.
Chapter 9
Savannah
The steady hum of the grinder had become white noise, the soft spray of water keeping the glass dust from rising as I smoothed another shard into the curve I wanted. My shoulders ached, my hair stuck to my neck, and my goggles were fogging at the edges — but I didn’t care. Here, I could breathe.
When my hand started to cramp, I set the piece aside, pulled off my gloves, and reached for my water bottle. My phone was sitting on the bench, screen lighting up with a notification I hadn’t silenced.
A stupid mistake.
I thumbed it open without thinking and instantly wished I hadn’t.
Front and center on my feed was Dante Spence.Notin the library. Not anywherenearthe stack of readings I’d printed for him this morning. No, he was in the athletic center — shirt clinging to him, ball in hand, grinning like the cameras were there just for him. The caption:#QB10 putting in that extra work.
Fine. Extra practice wasn’t the end of the world.
