Page 32 of Falling for the Quarterback

I pause at her last statement. “Hmm…I suppose I could do that. Or after I grade it.”

It’s still too risky. There’s still the possibility that students or faculty will find out and then think we’ve had an affair the entire semester and I played favorites with him.

“What if I wait and he graduates but gets a job and moves away? Then what?” I ask, looking down at the bumpy path to avoid any accidental falls.

“Cross that bridge in another six months. You spend far too much time thinking about the future. Just live in the moment, Lots.”

She’s not wrong. I do spend too much time worrying about things that are eons away.

“I’ll consider it,” I finally say so she’ll let this go. I know she wants what’s best for me, but I still need to think things over.

“That’s my girl. Now, shall I tell you about my hot man and his friend I shagged last night?”

I choke and nearly trip over my feet.

“Pops, I’m trying to pay attention to the trail! Jesus Christ, you can’t spring that on me when I’m hiking.”

She doesn’t seem to care and begins telling me about how she met the two men in a bar and their hot hookup that went on all night.

Sometimes I wish I could be more like Poppy. She’s fearless when it comes to sex and men.

After she finishes, I think I need a drink.

“Talk later?”

“Of course. But I’m serious, don’t give up on this one, Lots. If he makes you happy, don’t lose out on that. You deserve to be happy.”

“Thanks, Pops. I miss you,” I state sadly.

“You’re welcome. And I miss you too. Kisses,” she says, and the line goes dead.

I slide my phone back into my pocket and wonder what I would do without her.

She’s not wrong. I don’t give myself enough credit and I shouldn’t push away my chance at happiness.

Maybe there is a way to make this work and I should give us a chance.

ChapterTwelve

Hendy

The soft knock on my door has my eyes flying open and my head popping up from the book it’s currently planted in.

“Yeah?” I ask, my voice sounding gravely from sleep. I rub my cheek where it was smashed against the textbook and glance down at the time on my phone. It reads 9:45 p.m. I must’ve fallen asleep over an hour ago.

The door creaks open and Grace’s face comes into view as she pushes through into my bedroom.

“How’s it going in here?” she asks, peering around the mess. I comb the hair back from my eyes. “I thought you could use a study break snack.”

My stomach rumbles when she steps in and hands a plate of food out at me, topped with a sandwich, chips and a very large slice of cake leftover from Journey’s birthday party.

Grace walks over to my desk and sets the plate down on a stack of books.

“To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?” I grab for the sandwich and take a huge bite, my mouth filling with the sweet and tangy flavor of pastrami and mustard. My favorite.

She plops down on the study chair, folds her legs into a pretzel, and tucks her feet underneath her butt. Her dark hair is damp from a recent shower and she has on her cat pajamas and glasses. She gives me a serious look.

“How are you coming with your plans to win over your professor?”

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