Page 155 of Trust Me Always

Smiling and laughing and playing along in any and all of my nonsense. She’ll jump on my back or grab my arm, and just like that, we’ll be the life of our little party. She’s cheered me on with women, on the field, and off it. Never once has she judged me for what she’s seen or heard.

Never would she.

I close my eyes, a frustrated sigh leaving me.

She is gonna be pissed at me when she finds out what I did, even if I did it for her. She’ll forgive me, though, after giving me shit of course. It’s in her nature.

My sweet and sour Hellcat.

My lips twitch, and I take out my phone, pulling up her name.

I haven’t actually talked to her since I opened my big-ass mouth the Sunday before last, outside of theheyandwhat’s upandsee you later. We fell right into the school week and practice, had an away game, and this week started the same. Sure, we had Monday classes together, but it’s not like her class with Alister where we work as partners. No, we’re stuck staring at the overhead, listening to lectures. But it wasn’t awkward, was it?

It’s Tuesday now, and tomorrow afternoon, we’ll load up as a group and make the drive to Oceanside for Thanksgiving weekend.

It’ll be the first time we’ll be around others together outside our little friend family. If they don’t know we’re “no longer together” already, they will soon enough.

I dread that moment.

I’m not good at this stuff—vulnerability and the unknown.

I like to know the score before I join the game, and if that’s not possible, then I make sure it’s one I can win regardless of the facts.

This is different.

The game is complicated—has one too many players and no rule book.

There are no plays to pick from and I’ve already used my time-outs.

The only thing I can do now is let the clock run out and see who takes it all in the end.

Alister or me.

The visitor…or the home team.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Cameron

I restackthe boxes of diapers in the supply closet and add ointment to the rolling cart before closing the door, making my way to the changing stations. After refilling each of the sizes, I move on to the wipe dispensers, filling them to the brim and snapping the lids closed. Once all that is done, I put the cart back and head over to the laundry room to fold the blankets.

Stacking a massive pile in my hands, I place one on each cot.

“Those new blankets are so much better,” I tell Junie, picking up Abby when she gives me grabby hands.

I sway her slightly, and she giggles wildly. “Okay, so I finished the list, but I still have a half hour before I need to head back to my dorm. Is there anything else you need help with before I take off?”

“All good here, but maybe check with Granny Grace?”

“Yep.” I set Abby down next to the play kitchen and head toward the front. “See you next week, Junie!” I call before pushing through the swinging door into the check in, check out area.

Granny Grace is filling the cubbies with the little handprint turkeys the toddlers made earlier this week as I walk in. She looks up at me with a smile. “You headed off?”

“Almost. Just checking to see if you want some help first.”

“I’m all set in here. If you do anything else, I’ll be bored.”

I smile, hopping up on the counter behind her desk, noticing a vase full of pretty pink and white flowers. I run my pinkyalong the edge of one of the silky petals. “What are these, Granny Grace?”

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