Page 99 of Play Maker

“You’re leaving already? We haven’t even had dessert yet,” Finn announced.

“Like I said before, I’ve got a lot of work to do,” I croaked. “A lot of it.”

I said my goodbyes to the team and headed for the elevator, my heart knocking hard against my ribs, so loud I was sure anyone standing nearby could hear it.

Reaching into my pocket, I fumbled for my key card as I stepped into the elevator.

“Hold the door!” a familiar voice called out.

It was Dane.

“Oh, hey, sorry,” I said as I put my hand on the door to keep it open.

“No worries,” he replied and stepped in beside me. “You took off so fast there, I got worried. Are you feeling sick?”

Dane was always looking out for others, and the pang of guilt that hit me earlier came roaring back. I wanted to tell him about me and Axel, I had to, but…

“I’m fine,” I replied as I hit the button for the eighth floor. “I want to finish work on the fundraiser, get it over with. You know, so I’m free to party tomorrow night, and sleep all day Sunday.”

“Sure,” Dane chuckled as the elevator began to rise. “Tough game today. Been thinking about it all through dinner. I didn’t expect Grainger to play like that.”

“Me neither. I don’t think any of us did,” I returned.

“It’s only going to get more intense from here.”

“I know,” I admitted. “You didn’t leave dinner early just to check up on me, did you? I really am okay.”

Dane swiped a hand through his hair.

“I’m wiped. My sleep’s been hit and miss this week. And, I want to call Jackson,” Dane replied with a big smile. “It’s funny, even just a day away and I miss him like crazy.”

“You’re so in love it’s sickening,” I teased him.

He laughed and when I looked up, I caught our reflections in the mirrored doors.

Dane’s expression was the same as mine.

You’re so in love…

Holy fuck, was I in love with Axel? My stomach dropped out, but it had nothing to do with this elevator ride.

“You know it.” Dane nudged me with his shoulder. “What about you? I haven’t seen you doing the stride of pride lately.”

Oh, I was doing it. Just not so anyone would notice.

“Busy with class, you know.”

“That’s not it. You’ve been acting quiet. What’s really going on?”

“I—”

The elevator pinged when it hit the eighth floor and Dane got out first.

“Aren’t you coming? You’re on this floor too, right?”

“Uh, yeah,” I replied, shaking off my unease and stepping out into the hallway.

How could I forget that Dane was on the same floor? Hopefully Axel was stealthy enough to avoid detection from our captain.

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