Page 119 of The Surprise Play

Only a girl in love can be that stupid, right?

CHAPTER 35

WILY

I’m pacing like an eager puppy, darting from my window to my bed. I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me, but Carson is taking forever to get back with my girl.

Yeah, that’s right. I said it.

Mygirl.

Because like fuck I want anyone else having her.

Spending time with Satch since the semester began has become addictive. I didn’t realize it when we were studying together, but it just grew like that plant in the corner of Mom’s kitchen, which I didn’t even realize was getting bigger, but then all of a sudden, I started to notice it. I started to smell it and watch it bloom, and the colors took over the space until it’s the first thing I see every time I walk back into that familiar space.

That is what Satch has become for me, and I fucking can’t wait to see her.

Walking back to my window, I check the street and feel like a kid waiting for his birthday guests to arrive,especially when I notice my truck rounding the corner and I let out a whoop.

Flinging my door open, I run downstairs, jumping around the basket of laundry that needs to go up to Carson’s room and practically tripping over the front mat.

Slow the fuck down, dude.

Sucking in a quick breath, I open the door and try to play it cool, but that goes out the window the second Carson pulls into the driveway and I bound down the front steps like a golden retriever.

Yanking open the back door, I beam at Satch, who gives me a shy smile, her cheeks flaring red as she tucks a lock of loose hair behind her ear.

“You good?” I hold out my hand to help her out, and she shuffles to the door, wincing when she swivels to face me. “What happened?” My joy gets sliced in half by instant concern. “Are you hurt?”

She shakes her head, but Nylah rounds the car and smiles up at me. “She fell coming out of Buckley Hall. Those stairs are slippery in the winter.”

She winks at Satch, who gives her a barely there smile.

“Did someone push you?” My voice is deep and rough.

Satch glances up to bulge her eyes at my question while Nylah lets out a confused laugh.

“No. No one pushed her. Why would they do that?”

Satch shakes her head, and I press my lips together, even though I kind of want to rant about the bitch who called her hippo. It happened weeks ago, but I’m still riled about it.

Satch hasn’t said it, but I know she keeps an eye outfor her whenever we’re on campus together. She’s super warm and friendly when we’re hidden away somewhere private, but if we ever spot each other in open public, she won’t come within reach.

I’ve asked her about it, but she just said she doesn’t want the world gossiping about us.

“You’re a popular guy.”

“So?” I queried her, not getting the secrecy at all.

“I just… don’t like people talking about me.”

I guess that’s fair enough, so I’ve tried to play it cool and keep our relationship on the down-low around school. It’s an effort, but I keep PDA to a minimum… unless we’re behind closed doors. When we’re at Football Frat, I can be myself, which is why I have no hesitations about wrapping my arm around her and helping her out of the truck.

I spot the blood as soon as her coat shifts out of the way and softly hiss. “Ouch.”

“I’m okay,” she mumbles, hobbling beside me up to the house.

“You’re bleeding.”