Page 11 of The Captain

My mind is saying don’t do it, don’t chase him, don’t give in.

My heart is saying…something else.

“Wait,” I called out, and right as Lincoln was pushing open the door, he paused and looked back at me.

I slowed as I got closer to him and sighed. “I could use that ride.”

Lincoln looked torn, but he clenched his jaw and then tilted his head, motioning for me to go first.

We got to his car, and another thump of my heart went out as he opened the car door for me. He wouldn’t look me in the eye, and his jaw was still clenched shut, but his actions were telling me something different.

The drive back is silent, neither of us wanting or knowing what to say, and I wasn’t about to be the first of us to talk.

He pulled up to my building and got out. I gave myself two seconds to breathe, and there he was, opening my door for me.

It was everything I’d always wanted to see guys doing. Getting doors for ladies and being chivalrous again. I knew it was an old-school way of thinking, but I couldn’t help it.

“I’m…sorry.” I stared at the entrance to my building. “I didn’t mean to insinuate—”

“It’s fine,” he cut me off, his eyes not meeting mine, and I couldn’t tell if he was regretting this entire tutoring thing or if his mind was far, far away. “I can’t study this weekend. We’re away.”

Meaning he’ll be on a bus or plane to play another state for two games this weekend. I hated that I knew that.

“Fine.”

“I’ll text you for the next time.”

“Fine,” I repeated and watched him stalk off to his car.

For whatever reason, I didn’t go inside until I couldn’t see his taillights anymore.

FIVE

Lincoln

Six Months Ago

My phone burned a hole in my hand as I stared at the picture on one of the more popular photo-sharing social sites. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Staring back at me was a shy-looking Cassie, and with an arm wrapped around her shoulder was Crew.

It was posted on his profile, and I wondered if he did it just to get a rise out of me.

Crew and I had been friends since the moment we’d met freshman year two years ago. I never wanted anything, much less a girl, to come between us, but here we were.

He acted like I was being ridiculous, but was I being crazy when he knew the history there? When he knew she was my sister’s best friend and him dating her could fuck up their relationship?

“Ellis, heads up.” I glanced up just in time to see my favorite energy drink sailing toward my head, and I reached out to snatch it out of the air. Crew stared back at me, a friendly smirk on his face.

He still didn’t get it.

My anger tried to take over, and I told myself to calm the fuck down, to focus on the fact that we were getting ready to play one of the best teams in the league, and I needed to pay fucking attention to that instead of my bullshit with Crew.

I sat the drink down and didn’t say anything, the photo still opened on my phone.

“What? No, thank you?” Crew teased, making the other guys look over. The tension was there, high and tight, and I didn’t fucking understand why he was pushing me.

I didn’t understand why he was goading me with Cassie, why he was holding it over my head when he was supposed to be my friend.

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