Page 30 of Facing the Line

Can I? This is a new level of suffering.

Turning so her backside is pressed to my front, she places my hands on her hips. I sneak a glance at her brother, but he’s occupied with Natalie. Maybe I will survive this moment after all. Then Hadley snakes her arm around my neck and twines her fingers through my curls. Shivers dance down my spine and coalesce in my groin. Nope, I’m a goner.

While I haven’t gone all the way, I’ve dated girls before. There was that month freshman year I spent with Elle, and I saw quite a bit of Mackenzie from my Anatomy class. I’ve had some pretty fun make out sessions in the back of my Jeep and one memorable encounter on the deserted third floor of the library. I didn’t set out to be a monk or something. But it wasn’t the right time or I wasn’t with the right girl to take the plunge. Things fizzled out before it happened. Doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about sex—a lot—or that I don’t have the raging hormones of any other normal twenty-two year old guy.

And my hormones have a few things to say about dancing with Hadley. Namely, that it’s awesome and they want more, more, more. Every part of my body agrees. This exquisite torture is more sensual than anything else I’ve ever experienced. I would take Hadley to my bed right now if she’d have me.

But I catch Hunter’s gaze across the dance floor, and my stomach drops. Guilt swirls in my chest, and I clear my throat.

“Hey,” I say into her ear, loving she’s tall enough so I don’t have to bend down. “Let’s grab a drink.”

Hadley lets me lead her back to our table. Eyes dancing over the rim of my glass, she steals a swing of my drink. I don’t protest, and I snag a waitress to order us two virgin cocktails. She finishes off my drink, which is probably best for me. My head is muddled enough already.

“So. You came back to school early.” I raise my brow, an implied question in there somewhere.

“Yeah.” Hadley frowns. “I don’t know if Hunter told you, but we had a bit of a falling out with our dad.”

Hunter and I are friends, but he’s pretty closed-mouthed. I suspect Cooper is the only person he’s opened up to. And Natalie, now. But I’ve picked up on enough from living with him to know his dad is a dick.

Famous, former NHL player turned broadcaster, he lives in a mansion in Boston but cut Hunter off financially because of something that happened before Christmas. As far as I know, it involved his future career choices and his relationship with Natalie. His dad wanted to dictate both, and Hunter said no and severed ties. He stayed in Lafayette with Natalie’s family during break. He didn’t volunteer Hadley’s role in anything, and since it’s not any of my business, I didn’t ask. But I’ve been concerned about her ever since it happened.

“I know a little bit from Hunter. How do you feel about it?” I ask her, and she bites her lip. I try not to be distracted by that move and focus on her words.

“My dad is controlling, and he uses money as a weapon. I told him I was done with him, same as Hunter. I didn’t care if that meant he wasn’t footing the bill anymore.” She sips the club soda that arrives, and I’m mesmerized by the long column of her throat as she swallows. “But my mom wouldn’t stand for it. She said if I’m willing to take his money, I have to spend time with him. When she puts it that way, I see her point, but it was still awful. He’s paying for my college education, and I had to stay with him over Christmas break.”

“That sucks.” That hardly covers it. I know I’m blessed to have two parents who love each other—despite being sickeningly sweet about it. My family’s not perfect, we’ve had plenty of ups and downs, but I can’t imagine being forced into a toxicrelationship like that. “How did it go? How long did you have to see him?”

“It was supposed to be a week, but I didn’t make it. He acted like I wasn’t there. Didn’t speak to me, just ignored me the whole time.” Hadley blinks a lot. Either she has something in her eye or she’s trying not to cry, but I hand her a napkin. “You’d think that would be preferable, because talking to him is terrible, but I started to wonder if I was actually there.”

She dabs at her eyes, and I reach out and rub her arm. “I’m so sorry, Hads.”

The nickname pops out of my mouth, but she doesn’t protest. Something about it feels right.

“My dad left for a road trip with the Bruins, so I bailed. If he can leave, why can’t I? My mom was pissed I was breaking our agreement and cramping her style, so I texted her I was coming back to school early. Got on a plane, and here I am.”

She spreads her arms wide, forcing a shaky smile, and I take my cues from her and move the conversation along.

“And we’re happy to have you.”

Her grin turns genuine, and my heart twists at how gorgeous she is.

“Thanks, Joe. I’m really glad we’re—friends.” Her voice breaks on the word, and my stomach sinks.

The Friend Zone again. Where romantic hopes and dreams go to die. Awesome.

But if a friend is what she wants, I’ll be the most amazing friend she’s ever had. It’s pathetic, but I’ll take anything I can get. I can’t help myself with her.

Chapter

Thirteen

February 2023

Jonas: How are your classes going? Any good future prospects?

Hadley: Maybe. Western Civ is pretty boring, so I’m probably not going to become a historian. What do they do all day?

Jonas: Wear glasses and those jackets with elbow patches? Read books?

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