Page 94 of The Play Maker

He’s dangerous like this. Loose and unguarded and warm in a way that makes me want to crawl right back in beside him.

“Come back after?” he asks.

It shouldn’t mean anything. It probably doesn’t. But the way he says it—like he actually wants me around—makes something twist behind my ribs.

I press my lips together, twisting them into a small smile. “Maybe.”

He breaks into a grin, those light hazel eyes twinkling.

I hover at the door for a second, then glance back. “I’m gonna go.”

“See ya, Freckles.” He stretches, arms over his head. “Best cuddle buddy ever.”

I can’t stop the smile tugging at my lips as I close the door behind me.

I take a breath, swing my bag over my shoulder, and head down the stairs.

Halfway to the front door, I spot Ryan, Logan, and Nathan, cleaning up in the hallway. Trash bags in hand, stacking empty cups and pizza boxes.

They stop the second they see me.

Logan’s eyebrows shoot up, a broom in his hand.

Ryan freezes with a beer can dangling from two fingers.

Nathan doesn’t even blink—just looks between me and the stairs like he’s connecting all the dots in real time.

I clear my throat. “It’s not what it looks like.”

“Didn’t say a word,” Logan says, his mouth twitching with amusement.

My face flames hotter than it should as I duck my head and slip past them without looking back.

I close the front door behind me and grip my bag tighter as I walk toward campus.

A small smile curls on my lips as I remember the way Austin looked at me this morning. The words he said.

I know I shouldn’t read too much into it. I can’t afford to get my hopes up.

Because if I start believing it means more than it does, I’m the one who’ll end up hurt.

I have to be careful.

Even if I want nothing more than to go back into that bed.

19

MAISIE

Itug my hoodie tighter around me as I cross the quad, my thighs aching with every step.

Practice was hard today. It’s getting closer to the Regionals, so Coach is working me harder, expecting more, demanding perfection. And I feel the effects of it in my muscles.

I shift my bag higher on my shoulder and pull out my phone for the fifth time since leaving the rink.

It’s been a little over a week since… the whole waking up next to Austin fiasco, and whilst it was awkward as hell when I saw him for tutoring the next day, he acted like it didn’t mean a thing. Which it probably didn’t. It was just him being his naturally flirty self and me overthinking every little interaction as usual.

I frown when I see there are no new notifications, which scares me a little. He should be done with his exams by now, and if he didn’t text me then…