Page 103 of Facing the Line

He narrows his eyes. “Don’t be like that.”

“Then trust me, I’m okay. Doing what’s best for me and for the team.”

“Are you remembering to eat?”

I huff a mean laugh, ignoring how my body aches everywhere. I need to push past it. “When did you become my mom?”

“I’m just saying, this isn’t like you.”

Like me? Who am I now, anyway? Without Hadley, nothing’s the same. Least of all, me.

“I’m fine,” I tell him, making the word my new mantra. I’ve said it enough lately.

But as I speak, the world darkens at the edges. I see spots instead of the treadmill screen and I stumble, tripping over my own feet. I tumble down, pain lancing my head, and everything goes black.

Chapter

Forty-Six

HADLEY

Natalie: So how are things between you and Jonas?

Hadley: Over.

Natalie: Wait, what? I thought you were together.

Hadley: I told you, only for the summer.

Natalie: Wow, I didn’t think you’d actually stick with that.

Hadley: It’s best this way.

“Okay, girl. I’m your wingman tonight. Pick who you want, and we’ll reel him in.” Kendall slinks around me in a minisculesparkly red halter dress, hips moving to the beat of the thumping music.

Lafayette doesn’t really have any clubs, but the bar scene is strong. We could have picked any place to go, but tonight, we are at the worst one. Because if a girl can’t get laid at The Ugly Cactus, where can she? With sticky floors, watered-down drinks, and the scent of stale cigarette smoke and sweat in the air, it’s disgusting.

For some unknown reason, it was Cooper’s favorite place on campus. I haven’t been here since I went out with Hunter and the hockey team almost a year ago. A pang hits my heart, remembering how I kept catching Jonas’s eye across the crowded bar. I haven’t seen or talked to him in weeks, and I miss him.

Pulling me out of my thoughts, Kendall grabs my biceps and turns me to see a guy. He’s tall and slim with dirty blond hair and a charming smile.

“This is what we came for, isn’t it?” she asks, tossing her long braids. Her skin glimmers in the low light, and I envy her confidence.

“Yeah,” I manage to say. She’s been pushing me to go out and find someone else, to move on from Jonas. And she’s right. This is what I want—the freedom to date whoever and explore the possibilities.

So I tilt my chin and repeat myself with more conviction this time. “Yes. Let’s go chat him up.”

“Atta girl.” Kendall leads us through the crowd to this guy, now surrounded by his friends, and starts a conversation.

His name is Liam, he’s a junior, biology major, and he’s from Pennsylvania. He sends me flirty glances as we talk, so at Kendall’s nudge, I ask him to dance.

He’s taller than Jonas, and my arms feel awkward looped around his neck. I miss Jonas’s broad, muscular shoulders and the way I fit in his embrace. He’s the perfect height and?—

“So what’s your favorite thing about Harrison?” Liam asks as the music hits a quiet patch.

“Um.”The hockey teamis the first answer that pops into my mind, but that’s weird. Hockey is Hunter’s thing, and he’s not here anymore. I’m not even a fan. Although I guess I went to every game last season, so maybe I am. “The people,” I finally say, glancing over at Kendall, sipping a drink at the bar.

Liam nods. He has kind blue eyes, but I ache for chocolate brown ones that sparkle with mischief reserved only for me. Why can’t I stop thinking about Jonas?

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