“Yeah, Will was able to pick up a couple extra hours tonight, so I had to make sure I was home in time to trade off with him. When he’s not at work, though, he tries to convince me to go out and be a normal college kid and do shit, but sometimesI force him to go out and do the same. We both need a break sometimes.”
I shake my head.
This is wild. They both had to grow up faster than they should have.
“Enough about me, are you ready for hockey season to officially start?” she asks, changing the subject.
The last thing I want to do is talk about hockey, but I’ll indulge her.
“I am. It’s about to get crazy, but I love it. There’s nothing like being on the ice and the adrenaline of being in the middle of a game.”
“And having pucks flying at your pretty face,” she teases as she bumps her leg into me.
“You think my face is pretty?” I smile at her.
Lyla smiles as she rolls her eyes. “Please, we both know you’re attractive. You don’t need me to stroke your ego by telling you.”
“I don’t know…” I quip, making her chuckle.
“Is it going to be a problem if I can’t come to a lot of the games?” she asks hesitantly.
I reach over and squeeze her leg, just above her knee.
“Lyla, seriously, don’t feel pressured to come. Will I want you there? Sure, it would be nice, but don’t stress yourself out about it. You have a lot going on, and unlike some people, I understand that. I’m not a selfish prick. I want you to take care of yourself first before you even think of me. If you can come to a game, cool. If not, that’s okay too. It won’t bother me none. I mean, it’s not like I have people come just for me as it is.”
“Really?” she asks hesitantly.
“Really.”
I look at the time on my watch and sigh. “It’s getting late.”
“Yeah, and I have homework I still need to do,” she mumbles.
Standing, I pull her off the swing. “Come on, you better head inside before you turn into a pumpkin then.”
Lyla smiles as I pull her into my arms and hug her tight.
“Good night,” I mumble against her hair.
“Good night.”
Reluctantly, I pull away and head down the steps. As I go to turn the corner, I look over my shoulder and see that she’s still standing on her porch, watching me.
Maybe this isn’t as one-sided as I thought it was.
Shaking my head, my thoughts turn to how I can help her. Because one thing is for sure, I’m not going to sit by and watch her kill herself trying to juggle everything all at once. Not if I can do something about it.
eight
Walking across campus, I realize how different my life has become. When Wyatt and I first started this farce, I wasn’t sure I would get used to all the stares, but they have lessened over time. Now I smile at people as I pass. When they smile back, it feels good.
It could also be because my teacher kept me after class to tell me that he really enjoyed my paper. Or the fact that I am on my way to meet up with Wyatt.
I know it’s dangerous to enjoy his company so much, but I can’t help it. Right now, he is my little secret, but also something that brings me joy.
“Lyla, wait up.”
I turn, finding Kyle making his way toward me. I don’t stop. Instead, I start walking faster. What could he want?
