Page 64 of Stroke of Fate

What I’m searching for, I don’t know.

Maybe some sign that he isn’t the kind, thoughtful guy he was last night. Perhaps it was just an act. One that’s harder to hide in the daylight.

The thought of getting hurt again weighs on me more than I care to admit.

But all I see when I stare into his whiskey-brown eyes is sincerity, and my heart squeezes with a mix of hope and fear.

“Okay, I’ll ask them,” I finally say.

I swear a smidge of relief crosses Levi’s face, but it vanishes so quickly I wonder if I imagined it.

“I’ll see you soon.” He gives my hand one last squeeze, and then he’s gone.

Blowing out a frustrated breath at Levi’s vagueness, I pull my eyes away from the front door. Feeling around for my phone, I find it tangled in the covers near my feet.

I need to use the bathroom, but first, I text the girls about the bonfire in our group chat. Their replies come nearly instantly; as expected, they’re both in. Elsie is particularly excited that we’ll be going with Levi’s friends.

I’m excited, too. But that doesn’t stop my brain from wandering in all the wrong directions.

Why did he run off like that?

20 | LEVI

Floating on my back, I gaze up at the glass ceiling above me. Nothing but clear, blue skies stare back at me. Aside from my steady breathing, the only sound filling the space is the gentle lapping of water against the pool’s edge every few seconds.

You’d think that with how frequently I see the inside of this place, I’d avoid it on the rare occasion we don’t have practice. Yet, here I am, breathing in the familiar, heavy scent of chlorine by choice. After my last class today, I didn’t feel like heading home, so I decided to swim a few laps instead. That was over an hour ago.

My thoughts drift as the water rocks me gently. If I leave soon, I’ll be able to finish up a paper that’s due Monday and still have time to meet up with Mack and the twins. It’s Friday, and they plan to hit up a frat party tonight, but I’m not in the mood. Plus, tomorrow’s the bonfire, and I don’t want to run on empty.

It’s slightly embarrassing how much I’m looking forward to it. But that has more to do with my date than the bonfire itself.

It’s been a week since I went to Bear's place, and we fell asleep on the couch. Nearly every day since we've found ways to spend time together. Our excuses still revolve around the project—spoiler alert, we never actually talk about it—but at this point, I’ll say and do anything if it means I get to be around her.

Something about that night changed things between us. I feel it with every accidental brush of skin where one of us lingers just a little longer than necessary. Or in the stolen glances, she sneaks my way when she thinks I’m not paying attention.

Yet despite the shift in our relationship, Bear has stayed firm in her decision not to cross any real lines. I don’t understand it, but I respect her enough not to push for more than she is willing to give.

My cheek muscles twitch, and I realize it’s because I’ve been smiling so damn hard just thinking about her. I should get out of here. I have a paper and homework, and my body is wrecked after a week of practice. But the desire to see Bear overrides all of that, and fuck me if I’m not already in deep with this girl.

Swimming toward the edge of the pool, I reach the side and dig through my bag until my fingers brush against the familiar metal of my phone. I quickly pull up our text thread and type out a message.

Levi: Are you busy?

It doesn’t take her long to respond.

Bear: No, why?

Levi: Meet me at the pool.

Bear: Why??

Levi: Stop asking so many questions.

Her eye roll emoji response makes me chuckle, which turns into a full-blown smile at her next text.

Bear: See you soon.

Fifteen minutes later, Bear walks through the doors with a duffle bag slung over one shoulder. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to how she completely steals my breath whenever she enters a room.

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