Page 28 of Until We Meet Again

"Hey, I'm leaving." Tobias returns to the room, runs his hand through his jet-black hair, and places an unlit cigarette between his lips.

"Who's the unlucky girl?"

"Don't be jealous, Jennifer," he says, her eyes narrowing at him as he calls her by her full name—something we all know never to do. "I'd be happy to show you a good time if Harry wants to share for the night."

"Hard pass, but thanks."

"Don't be a stranger, Blondie," he says with a wink before saying goodbye.

After eating a couple of slices of pizza, I finally retreat to the corner of the room, where I snuggle into the gray cuddle chair with my book. I'm one page in when I hear laughter from across the room. I lift my eyes and catch Erik staring at me with a smile that stretches wider than it has all night.

"Why are you laughing? You know I never leave the house without a book." He nods as I flash him the cover.

"I know, it's cute. So, what's the story about?"

"Brother’s best friend, lots of spice, and some falling in love."

"Can I read it when you're finished?" Jen asks, and I nod before she curls back into Harry's arms.

"Anyone need a drink?" Erik rises to his feet, and I take the opportunity to talk to him alone. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes when he saw us tonight, and he didn't give me the warm hug he usually does. However, when he started yelling at the game, Ichose to postpone the interrogation until I could speak with him alone.

"I'll help," I say as I trail behind him. The kitchen is every bit as chaotic as you'd imagine it to be in a house of three guys, with a makeshift bar stocked with an endless supply of alcohol and snacks amidst a sea of pizza boxes. Erik grabs a beer for himself and another for Harry, placing it on the counter next to him.

"Are you okay?" I ask as he leans against the kitchen counter, his muscular arms crossed over the front of his chest.

"Sure. Why?" He smirks down at me, both of us knowing full well that he’s lying out of his ass.

"You're acting weird tonight." When I press him, he lowers his arms and grips the work surface instead.

"My coach is on my ass. I'm waiting to see if I get any offers to play football for a semi-pro or pro team, and there's some other shit back at home, but I won't bore you with it."

"You know I'm here if you ever want to talk, okay?I know I don't know anything about sports, but I'm always here to listen, and I promise I won't bring my book. I'll give you my full attention." He smiles at me and opens his arms. I step into him, and he wraps them around me and kisses my head.

"Come on, I don't want to keep you away from your dirty book for too long." We come to a stop as he leads me back to the living room, finding Jen and Harry heavily making out while she straddles his lap.

"They are disgustingly loved up." We both burst into laughter as I loudly announce that we're there, causing them to separate quickly.

I needed to spend some time with my friends tonight. Was I in the mood to stay at home and indulge in self-pity? Yes. However, this is the therapy I needed—my book, my closest friends, and a place that allows me an escape from the chaos that's consumingmy mind right now. Besides, we'll probably all part ways when the year ends, so spending time with them needs to be a priority.

A couple of hours later, I'm back home, snuggled under a blanket, with Taylor Swift playing on Alexa and a blank page on my laptop.

I'mthinking about Zane for the first time tonight, but I'm also trying to get started on the poem he pretty much demanded.

I have no idea what I'm going to write about when this whole clusterfuck of a situation is the only thing sparking any emotion in me right now.

It's not easy being in class with him, but if I set aside my emotions, it's clear that he's an incredible teacher. He's passionate about everything he talks about, and when I see him enthusiastically discussing literature and watch his face light up, my heart races a little faster for him.

Maybe sharing what I'm feeling through writing will offer me some relief from the frustration I'm experiencing.

Screw it. I need this.

Isweep my hair behind my ears,cross my legs in my lap, and start typing away, capturing every emotion I feel and transforming it into a piece of writing I can be proud of.

Chapter 13

Zane

"The treatment hasn’t worked, Zane." Kimberley’s voice trembles as she whispers those five words, forever altering the course of our lives. It’s clear that she’s scared, but I know that her fear is for me, not herself.

---