Page 123 of Even Exchange

“Thank god,” I say, folding a shirt and putting it in my duffle. “Only one more day of camp food and low water pressure.”

“Why do you think I’m leaving tonight?” Andi says, pulling the sheet off her bed.

“Because you’re cruel,” I say, grabbing another shirt out of the drawer. I want to make sure I’m ready when Noah arrives tomorrow.

“What time is your physical?” Andi asks.

“Eleven thirty, you?”

“Eleven. Wanna walk together?”

I check the time on my phone. “Sure, but we should get going.”

A quick walk later, and we’re striding into the gymnasium housing the medical facility. The roof is high, and even on the last day, the weight floor is packed full of cheerleaders and football players getting in one final workout.

We arrive at the medical station and check in. A short questionnaire later, and we’re sitting in the waiting area.

“Andrea Lyons,” a nurse calls, and Andi shoots me a wave, disappearing into the back.

Twenty minutes pass, the time ticking like molasses in an hourglass. I check my phone but haven’t gotten any new notifications besides a good morning fun fact from Noah.

“Charlie.” The hair on the back of my neck stands, and I glance up to find Jonathan standing before me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask stupidly.

“Just finished my exam,” he says, pointing back towards the doors Andi disappeared through.

“Right,” I say, standing. Because somehow sitting makes me feel inferior to him, and I won’t allow that. “What do you want?”

“I’m heading out today,” he says.

“Okay… and?”

He blows out a breath. “I wanted to apologize.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “Whatever for?”

He looks down then back into my eyes. My skin crawls from his direct attention. The last time he stared into my eyes like this, he was sliding into me and whispering how much he loved me.

What a crock of shit.

Jonathan swallows hard. “Just for everything that happened.”

Generic and meaningless. I’m so ready to be done with this conversation.

“Great,” I say, jaw grinding. “You’re forgiven.”

“Really?” he asks, ignoring the bite in my tone. “We good then?”

“Yep,” I say, forcing a smile.Walk away, fuck boy.“We’re good.”

“Bye, Charlie.”

He leaves the room, and I turn around to find Andi glaring at me. “What the hell was that?”

I release a heavy breath, sinking back in the waiting room chair, and Andi sits beside me. “Can we not do this?”

“That guy blew up your life, and you’re, what, giving him a free pass?”

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