“I have no doubts about that.”
Now that we’re alone in the apartment, it’s fully sinking in that she’shere. That she’s going tolivehere. I mean, I knew that, in abstract, when I offered her the room, but it isn’t until this very moment that the gravity of that offer is really settling.
Because despite the fact that I have no outward designs on Abby Thompson, she’s still a beautiful, ball-busting woman who is now living across the hall from me. It will definitely take some getting used to.
“So you said you get to play again soon?” she asks, breaking the silence.
My head snaps up, as I’m roused from my thoughts. “Hm? Oh. Yeah. Finally.”
“And how is your arm?”
I tense, my hand instinctively moving to touch my stiff wrist. There’s a lingering tension there that I fear isn’t going away, but it doesn’t throb like it did right after I took the hit weeks ago, at least. I try to look nonchalant.
“It’s fine. Not worth all the fuss.”
Her piercing eyes find mine, looking right through me. I don’t think I considered the fact that those eyes would be trapped in this apartment with me for however long. They’re unnerving, is what they are.
“I told you that you didn’t have to pretend none of this worries you,” she says finally. “You already admitted that it did.”
“Maybe I really am just feeling better.”
“You don’t justfeelbetter with something like that. Not without treatment.”
“I’ll get the treatment,” I assure her. “Just…after the season.”
She watches me for a long moment, finally shrugging. “Like I said, it’s none of my business.”
The way she says it…It’s almost like she’s trying to hide the fact that she might actually be worried about me. Her eyes shift away and her mouth presses into a line, like she’d like to push the matter.
But that’s ridiculous, right?
“I’m going to grab a shower,” I tell her, needing to get away from that stare of hers. I flash her a grin. “Wanna join? Conservation and all that.”
She looks unimpressed. “Don’t make me regret this on the first day.”
I watch as she turns and stalks to her room, shutting the door behind her. I stare at the closed wood for a moment more, considering the ramifications of this arrangement I’ve offered up. Which is something that I’m not really used to. I rarely think about things after I do them. I just kind of…do them.
But now I have this scowling, snarky woman living in my apartment, just a hair’s breadth from my bedroom door. And as much as I like to tease Ian about getting back at him, I would neveractuallyhit on Abby. As much as she hates all the fussing my sister and Ian dote on her, I can appreciate that she’s been through entirely too much this year to deal withmybullshit too. Probably best that I give her a wide berth while she’s here. Considering that we’re on track to make the playoffs, I should be so busy that it won’t be an issue, anyway.
I stride down the hall, only giving her door one quick glance as I pass by it, shaking my head as I duck into the bathroom to shower. This might actually end upbeingthe stupidest idea ever. Which makes sense, I guess.
It was mine, after all.
Seven
Abby
I try to listen to whatmy professor is saying, but the flash on my cell phone screen is distracting. It glares at me like a beacon in the dark, and as much as I’d like to delete it without reading it, I know my curiosity will get the better of me eventually. It’s like a sickness, my need to see what he’s said. My frail hope that this time it won’t be something horrible.
I’m doing my best to pay attention as Professor Jameson drones on about the cognitive process, even jotting down a few notes to distract myself, but it’s no use. My fingers practicallyitchto read the text, to put myself out of my own misery. I discreetly slide my phone closer, lighting up the screen as my fears are confirmed.
Dad:The least you could do is call me, Abigail.
Dad:After everything I’ve done for you?
Dad:You owe me that much.
It’s tame in comparison to some of the ones he’s been sending, but it sets my teeth on edge just the same. I know they’re just a precursor, just a taste of what he’ll be sending later if I continue to ignore them, and that thought almost makes me reply. Almost. Instead, I shove my phone away, doubling down on my notes as I give the professor laser focus.
