Page 39 of Facing the Line

Hunter smiles and claps me on the shoulder. “That’s a great idea. I’ll pick up some on the way over. But can you cover for me here with Hadley? I promised to help with her stagecraft class.”

I glance at Hadley, trying not to let my eyes linger on the curve of her hips in her high-waisted jeans. She flushes a pretty pink color.

“Oh, I don’t want—” she starts at the same time I say, “Sure.” I can skip my extra run for this.

“Perfect.” Hunter gives her a noogie and tosses me a grin. “You’re a lifesaver.”

He heads out the front door, and Hadley and I stare at each other for a beat.

“I’m obviously leaving. I won’t impose like that.” She shifts her weight and collects one of her shopping bags. “I was only doing this here because you have more space than I do. But I’ll find?—”

“Aw, come on.” I grab the bag she’s holding and tug. “Stay.”

“No, there’s no need?—”

“Hunter will never let me live it down if he finds out I didn’t help you.” A smile flirts with the corners of her lips, so I keep going. “Besides, now that we talked about pizza, I want some. Soyou can order dinner to pay me back for my time. I’m probably great at stagecraft.”

Hadley lets go of the plastic handle and sighs. “That would make one of us.”

“So not your future major, then?” I unpack her supplies on the floor—cardboard boxes, popsicle sticks, a glue gun and refills, toothpicks, fabric, and paint. This feels more like kindergarten than a college class.

“No, definitely not.” She bites her lip and settles next to me on the carpet. “In fact, I think the professor is relieved we’re not building actual sets.”

“Yeah, why not?” I gesture at the pile of stuff in front of us on the living room floor. “What’s up with this?”

“Normally, the stagecraft classes build the sets for the theater department. But Feller Hall of Music is being renovated right now. So we have to create replica sets, to scale.”

“Oh.” I stare at the popsicle sticks, still unclear how they figure in. But if Hadley needs help, I’m here for it. “Okay, let’s get started.”

It’s not great, not by any stretch of the imagination. But we have a stage, some curtains, spots marked out where lights would go, and a decent backdrop. It’s done, and that’s what matters most at this point.

The pizza arrives, so I get out two paper plates while Hadley answers the door. The smell of garlic and cheese fills the apartment as she sets the cardboard box on the counter and my mouth waters.

“Want a drink?” I ask, opening the fridge.

“Will you freak out if I have a beer?” Hadley raises a brow, popping her hand on her hip. She looks as delicious as the pizza.

“I’m not your brother.” I grab two longnecks and give her one.

She clinks it against mine. “I’m aware.”

I hand her the magnetic bottle opener off the refrigerator, and a frisson of awareness runs down my spine as our fingers brush.

Clearing my throat, I busy myself with selecting two slices and settle on the couch. I expect Hadley to put space between us and sit on the other end, but there’s only a foot separating us. I’ve kept myself in check all night as she’d lean close to work on something, and the scent of her cotton candy perfume would make me dizzy with want. Is she trying to make this difficult for me? I can’t have her, but I can’t stay away.

Maybe over the summer, when the temptation is gone, I’ll be able to put her out of my head and move on.

I take a large bite of pizza and chew, trying to focus on food and not the girl in front of me.

“So now we know, not theater and stagecraft. Any idea what you’re leaning towards for a major, though?”

Hadley swallows a swig of her drink. “Actually, yeah. I’m meeting with my advisor next week, and I think I figured it out.”

“Well?” I say after she stops speaking. “Don’t leave me in suspense!”

She huffs a laugh. “You’ll be the first person I’ve told. I, um, I’m going to choose Computer Science.”

“Hadley, that’s awesome. I’m so glad you found something you like.”

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