Page 4 of 3rd and 4 (Season of Change #3)

My head is clear. I’m stronger than my… urges . He doesn’t even want me, so there’s no point in dwelling on how he makes me feel. That’s my problem, not his. We have to work together and I’m excited for what Jenna has planned for us.

I dry off then dress in my change of clothes, linen shorts, a graphic tee, and sandals.

Since I’m going to the athlete’s dining hall, I throw my wet hair up in a messy bun and repack my bag.

I step out of the locker room and come up short.

Addy is leaning against the wall, freshly showered and looking just as good in cargo shorts and a tee as he did in his athletic wear.

“Hey, did you need something?” I ask, wondering why he’s still here. I thought he was getting lunch.

“Uh.” His right dark brow rises slowly up his forehead. “I was waiting for you. We’re gonna get lunch.”

“We are?” I wince at my squeaky voice.

“Yes.” He laughs easily, gesturing for me to start walking.

“I thought you were gonna go get lunch. And I would get lunch. But…separately?”

“Where’s the fun in that? I’m with myself all the time, I’d rather be with you.” My steps falter, his words hitting me with such force. He wants to spend time with me? He probably wants to discuss our routines, fix our mistakes. I can handle that.

I ask, “The athlete’s dining hall?” when we open the doors to the outside.

“Nah, it’ll be crowded. I thought we could go to this deli off campus. It’s like a 15-minute walk. Is that good with you?”

“I don’t have…my meal plan is for on-campus dining only.”

He winks, shoving his hands in the front pockets of his shorts. “My treat.”

“You don’t have to do that; I might have some cash—” I stop when I realize I don’t have my purse with me. Just my university ID, which is also my meal card and my dorm key.

“Don’t worry about it. When you’re with me, you don’t pay.” I’ll let it go this time, but if we go out tomorrow, I’ll pay. I just have to convince him to eat at the dining hall so I can use my card.

We pass my dorm on the way to the deli. “I’m gonna run this up.

” I lift my bag. He nods with a smile, sitting down on a bench while I head inside.

I run up the two flights of stairs and rush into my room.

I throw my bag on my bed, grab my deodorant and put more on, then quickly brush my teeth in our sink, and spray some perfume, walking through it on my way out.

He’s still sitting on the bench and immense relief surges through me.

I was half-expecting him to be gone by the time I got back, changing his mind about hanging out with the friendless freshman.

“Ready?” I nod, biting my lower lip as I join him on the path. He sniffs loudly, then startles me when he drops his head to my neck and inhales. “God, you smell good.”

“Th-thanks. It’s just some spray.”

“Where’d you buy it?” I tilt my head to stare at him as we walk.

He glances at me with a broad grin. I tell him the name of the scent from the chain fragrance store.

“Hmm. I’ll have to order some.” Whatever floats his boat.

My stomach turns, what if he wants to order it to give as a gift to his girlfriend?

Partners? Is there more than one? I thought it was awful earlier thinking that I could never compare to the other girls on the squad, it was na?ve not to consider the rest of the university’s female student population.

That’s like 20,000 women! Even if you took away half to account for lesbians…

I can’t compete with 10,000 women! I’m spiraling.

I dig my nails into my palms to focus on the slight sting.

“Are you alright?” he asks, the concern in his voice is comforting.

“Yes, sorry. Just a little overwhelmed,” I tell him, it isn’t a lie. The cheering itself is nothing new for me. It’s the people. The personalities, hierarchy, the boys. And this man. He overwhelms me the most. I can’t decide if that’s good or bad.

“I remember my freshman year,” he says with a laugh. “I overindulged in the wrong things, underindulged in the right things, like classes.”

“What changed?”

“I met Ty and Lyn. Ty was the quarterback and had a promising career in front of him. He was in an accident the summer before his sophomore year. Ruined his chances of ever playing collegiately or professionally. Ty barely batted an eye, just changed course. He readjusted and found his footing on a new path. I learned two things: one, it’s never too late to start over, and two, this university cares about its students.

The faculty, staff…there are assholes like Coach Heacock, but most of them are like Brandon Beiler and Lilly Geddes.

I drank the Kool-Aid, pulled up my grades and volunteered.

I know the good that is done here every day, and I wanted to be a part of it.

Jenna took notice and approached me about the Mic-Man position. ”

“You really like it?”

“I love it. I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m not exactly shy.

” I giggle, because he doesn’t seem to have a shy bone in his body.

My eyes drop to his crotch, and I blush and look away.

It’s probably not shy either. I mentally smack myself; this is not the time or place.

“I’ve met some incredible people and have formed friendships that will last a lifetime.

Be patient, Daya, it gets easier. You seem to have more self-control than me, so I have no doubt you’ll be fine when classes start.

And you’ve got Eva and me to help you as you figure it all out. ”

“Thank you. It’s nice to have a friend or two to rely on. I don’t know anyone here. I’m from Florida.”

“You’re a long way from home.”

“I am.” I reply sadly. I miss my parents, my brother, and my room. I didn’t really have any friends. There were teammates that I was on good terms with, but we never hung out much aside from practices and competitions. I’m a little lonely here, but honestly, I’d be just as lonely back home.

Addy throws his arm over my shoulder and brings me into his side.

He’s warm and smells nice. He squeezes me tight, and I bask in the feel of him so close.

Yes, we practiced earlier but it isn’t the same.

“Don’t be sad, Itty Bitty, I got you.” I bristle at the nickname.

I guess it was too much to hope he wouldn’t notice my lack of attributes.

Surrounded by women in sports bras, it’d be hard not to notice the assortment of boobs on display.

Well, that confirms it, he isn’t attracted to me.

He's just a genuinely nice, friendly guy.

Look at me! My first male friend that isn’t related to me.