Page 103 of For the Win

Then my phone rings.Harrison’s name appears on the screen.

My heart leaps and I stab at the phone to answer.“Hi.”

“Hi.”He pauses.

“Sorry I missed your call,” I say, even though I said that in my voice mail.“Um, do you have a few minutes to talk?Or maybe we could meet up.I know you’re probably busy.”

“Yeah, we can meet up.You’re done at six?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll pick you up there.”

I can hardly breathe.“Okay.”I swallow.“See you then.”

Whoa.Okay.I did it.He’s going to see me.I have no idea what’s going to happen, since he said next to nothing.My belly’s all fluttery and it takes all my focus to get through my afternoon classes.

He’s waiting in the loading zone when I walk out of Prana a few minutes after six, carrying my yoga bag, still dressed in leggings, tank top, and a long, loose sweater.My feet pause when I see him sitting in his SUV.My heart kicks against my ribs, then I start forward again, crossing the sidewalk.As I reach for the door, he looks up.

His expression doesn’t change.His usual smile is absent, but his eyes flicker.A big purplish bruise marks one cheekbone.Sympathy pain twinges in my belly, seeing that.

I slide in and close the door.“Hi.”

“Hey.”

As I buckle up, he puts the vehicle in gear and pulls out onto the street.

“Where to?”he asks.

“Um, we could just go to my place.”

He nods.

“Thanks for making time for me,” I say, my voice tentative.

He makes a harsh noise, his jaw tight, staring straight ahead.

“Sorry about the loss last night,” I add.“I watched the game over at Everly’s place.”

He goes very still.“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.We were all cheering for you.Lacey was there too.”

“Thanks.It sucks.”

I suck on my bottom lip and nod.Words bounce around in my head, but I say nothing until we get to my place.I unlock the door and lead him into the living room.I’ve gone over what I need to say a million times, but still, my palms are sweaty and my mouth dry.

I gesture to the couch and he sits.I sit too, tucking a leg up under me so I can face him.“Um, you got my text the other day?”I ask.

“Yeah.”

“I really am sorry I overreacted.”

“I guess it was a bad idea to arrive unannounced.I apologize too.”His words sound stiff.

“It wasn’t that bad.”I pick up a cushion and pluck at it.“And I wanted to explain to you why I freaked out over nothing.”

He nods.Our eyes meet and heat flames over my skin, my insides quivering.

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