Page 130 of The Play Maker

The memory has been looping in my head for days now, slipping in at the most inconvenient times and leaving me flustered.

Since then, he’s been practically begging me to come over every single night. I tried to resist—honestly, I did—but last night I gave in. Which is why I’m a little later than usual for practice… because staying in Austin Rhodes’ bed, warm andtangled up in his sheets, sounded a whole lot better than coming to the freezing cold rink.

I sit down on the bench in the far corner, but my attention is snagged when my phone buzzes.

Once. Then again. And again.

I glance down, expecting maybe a message from Bailey, but when I see Austin’s name lighting up the screen, a slow smile spreads across my face.

Austin:

you left 10 minutes ago and I want you back already.

come back.

right now.

I’ll give you my hoodie. my wallet.

there’s like 10 bucks in there but they’re yours.

we can watch whatever movie you want.

we can eat cookies.

we can bake cookies.

you looked so fucking beautiful today.

you always do.

come back.

please.

A laugh bubbles out of me before I can stop it. I press a hand over my face and shake my head, grinning like crazy. He’s ridiculous. And sweet. And…god, I don’t even know how to deal with this version of him.

A couple girls glance my way, mildly curious, but I duck my head and focus on my phone.

Me:

Do you even have the ingredients to bake cookies?

Austin:

omw to buy them right now.

My bottom lip catches between my teeth, and I don’t even try to stop the smile this time. It stretches wide and helpless across my face.

Me:

Fine. After practice I’ll be right over.

I send it before I can talk myself out of it. Before the doubts can creep in.

But my finger hovers over the screen for a second longer than it should. Because right as I go to lock my phone, my eyes flick down to the thread below Austin’s name.

Six.