Page 98 of All This Time

“Why’s that?”

Fletcher pushes a hand through his hair. “It’s not important.”

I can tell he wanted to say something else, but he caught himself. He closes the distance between us before shoving his hands in his pockets, looking almost nervously at me, but his smirk appears before he talks. “Do you have plans tomorrow night?”

I’m momentarily stunned. Is he asking because he wants to hang out? Or is it about our arrangement?

“Um, I do actually.” Tucking my hair behind my ear, I continue, “I’m watching Ellis for Rhonan. Joanne needed the night off.”

Disappointment registers on his face as his smirk turns into a frown. “Oh. Okay, no biggie.” His heavy sigh rests in the space between us as he walks over to my station and takes a seat in the chair, spreading his legs out wide, reminding me of how massive of a man he is. His muscular legs are on display under the hem of his khaki shorts, his arms full of sinew rest on the arms of the chair, and his massive hands clasp together as he hunches forward, bracing his forearms on his knees and holding his head in his hands.

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him like this—so up in his head, defeated and irritated. And that’s when it dawns on me. “What did he do this time?”

His head pops up and his eyes connect with mine, but he’s silent for a few moments. Finally, he exhales and drops his head down again. “How did you know?”

I move closer to him so I can look at him in the mirror in front of my chair. “There’s only one person that makes you act like this. So, what happened, Fletcher?”

He leans back in the chair, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “I got a call from the high school principal today. He offered me a coaching job when I retire, and he was curious if I’d decided when that might be.”

My brows lift. “Wow that’s…wait…”

Fletcher huffs out a laugh. “Yeah, that means replacing my dad. Apparently, they’ve had some complaints from parents, but Principal Hastings didn’t elaborate on what they were.”

“Do you think…” I can’t finish the thought because I don’t want to assume the worst.

“I don’t think my father is stupid enough to put his hands on another kid, but maybe he’s been out of it during practice or games,” he says, alluding to his substance problem. “He knows better than to drink on the job since that’s how he lost his last one, but the other night…”

Without thinking, I place my hand on his shoulder. “What happened?”

Fletcher blows out a breath. “You know what? Never mind. I shouldn’t be bothering you with this shit.” He moves to stand, but I push him back down as best as I can. Our size difference is significant, but Fletcher humors me.

“You can talk tome, Fletcher.”

“But I shouldn’t. You don’t need another thing or person to worry about. You have enough on your plate. And it goes against our arrangement, right?”

I move around the chair so that I can face him, crossing my arms over my chest. “Then why did you come here? Why not talk to Rhonan about it?”

His blue eyes lock on mine, and suddenly I’m transported back to when we were teenagers all over again, waiting on bated breath for what he’ll say next.

“Because you were the only person I wanted to see.” His answer is candid, honest, and my heart thumps in a way it shouldn’t as we stare at each other. Silence rests between us as he pushes a hand through his hair again, pulling on the strands this time so they stand up as best as they can, given how thick his tresses are. Glancing up as if he can see the top of his head, he groans. “God, I need a fucking haircut.”

Popping my shoulder, I say, “I wasn’t going to say anything, but now that you brought it up…”

The corner of his mouth lifts. “Good thing I have a friend who knows how to cut hair, huh?”

“We’re not friends, Fletcher, remember?”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

I roll my eyes, but there’s a smile on my lips. “Seems like you’re the one that’s in denial.” I start to move, but Fletcher reaches out and grabs my wrist.

“Laney…”

Our eyes meet. “Yeah?”

I wait for what he’ll say next as my skin breaks out in goosebumps. The truth is, I can’t deny how being around him again has made me feel, especially after our interactions over the past few days. And seeinghim like this now pulls on those same heartstrings I thought I had severed.

I’m still going to try to deny it, though.