Page 120 of Even Exchange

Me

You too quarterback

A week has passed since Noah left camp, and our routine is the same. Minimal surface-level texting, and both of us too exhausted to hold a conversation at night. I knew our arrangement wasn’t going to last forever. I just didn’t expect it to end so abruptly.

He doesn’t owe me anything. He’s not my boyfriend.

And yet, I still try

Me

How was training today?

Noah

Hot and exhausting

Kinda like you

Me

I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment

Noah

You should

I bite my cheek, opting to be brave, and click call. The phone rings once, then goes to voicemail.

Noah

Sorry, I’m heading into dinner with some of the guys. Rain check?

It’s official. I’m no longer a priority.

Me

Sure. Rain check

Another week passes with the same routine. Today I got a good morning text, but besides that I haven’t heard from him.

“You okay over there?” Andi asks, concerned eyes on me as we change into comfy clothes after dinner.

“Yes,” I tell her, taking the big blue bow out of my hair. “Areyou?” I ask with a cocked brow. “You’ve been acting strange ever since we got back from the gala.”

“Same with you,” she challenges, and I roll my eyes. She grabs a swimsuit out of her drawer. “I’m going to meet Theo and a few girls for a lake swim. Wanna join?”

I glance at my bed. My little lonely bed. “Nah, I’m good.”

“Seriously? You need to get out.”

“I’m exhausted,” I say, and while that technically is true, it’s not why I want to stay in.

“We’ll be by the dock if you change your mind.” She shoots me a wave and is out the door.

Blowing a breath, I jump into bed, picking up my phone. My lips quirk into a smile at the message on the screen.

Noah

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