Page 20 of Facing the Line

“I’m not sure what I’d do with it, career-wise, but it’s interesting.”

Jonas gives me his soft smile. “The whole point is to try things and see what you like. Don’t worry about finding a career yet.”

His encouragement bolsters me. My chest warms, having someone who cares.

“Hey, I was thinking after our conversation in the library the other night. Have you ever thought about a study abroad semester?”

My mouth drops open. I haven’t, but that would be incredible. Oxford, or Cambridge, maybe—a chance to see my dream city in college. My chest warms at the thought. Could I make it work?

“You mentioned wanting to travel, uh, before,” Jonas says at my speechlessness, “So I thought it might be a cool possibility to consider.”

“That’s a great idea. I love it. What’s your major?” I ask, stepping closer to him. “How come I don’t already know this?”

“Nursing.”

I wince. “I can eliminate that option, no doubt about it. I’d pass out in the first five minutes.”

Jonas laughs, and the sound resonates in my chest. “It’s not for everyone, I s’pose.”

“What made you pick that one?” I would have thought he’d be a generic business major or something with sports management.

It’s dark in the apartment, with weird black lights giving off a purple glow. So I can’t be sure, but Jonas’s face changes when I ask the question. He becomes more closed-off and takes a step back.

“I think it would be cool to help people when they need it.”

He braces himself, like he’s expecting me to say something derogatory in response. Unfortunately, I bet he gets that a lot. Nursing is still a female-dominated field and it’s gotta be hard to be a guy in that situation. There were only a few guys in my Intro to Education classes, and all of them complained about how difficult it is, how they’re made fun of or asked if they are only going into education to have their summers off. Reverse sexism sucks as much as the next kind of prejudice, and I won’t perpetuate that.

So I pat his arm. “That’s awesome. You took great care of me when I cut my hand. You’ll make a great nurse.” I cock my head. “But is that your fallback plan, after your hockey career ends?”

“Uh—”

“Dude, it’s beer pong time!” Evan bounds up like a golden retriever and slings his arm around Jonas’s shoulder. “Oh, hey, Little Thompson. Didn’t realize that was you.”

I glare. “No, we’re not doing that.”

Evan’s gorgeous blue eyes widen. “No beer pong?”

I push his chest. “No ‘Little Thompson.’ I’m not dealing with that crap. Call me Hadley, or nothing.”

He smirks, and I should have seen this coming. “Okay, Nothing.”

Giving him one last push, I growl and stalk away. Evan is harmless, but I wish I was still talking to Jonas. Which is the exact opposite of how I’m supposed to feel. Where’s Kendall to help remind me?

Since I need some girl time, I find Jasmine and Natalie and chat for a bit. But my mind stays on my conversation with Jonas the rest of the night. He was a good friend tonight, and his gaze makes me feel like I matter. I can’t stop thinking about the way his kiss lit me up inside, and how much I want a repeat.

That settles it. I need to go out with Devon, if only to get Jonas out of my head. Before I can overthink it, I pull out my phone and find his text.

Hadley: Yeah, coffee sounds great! How about tomorrow?

Chapter

Eight

November 2022

JONAS

Evan: Do you still live here?

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