Page 114 of Crave Thy Neighbor

“Football,” he corrects, then sighs. “See? This is why I need Nolan around.”

I’d like him to be around too.

“What? Your mom not cool enough for you anymore?”

“Were you ever cool?”

“Hey, watch it! I brought you into this world, and I can take you right back out.” I grin to myself. I always wanted to use that line.

He shrugs, unapologetic.“So, are you getting back together?”

Can you get back together with someone you were never really with?

Nolan and I were never supposed to last more than my stay. There’s no getting back together.

There’s moving on.

And that’s what I need to do—move on.

I need to accept that Nolan doesn’t feel the same way I do.

“No, buddy. We’re not,” I tell him, pulling into the school parking lot and pushing the car into park. “But let’s not focus on that. Tonight is your night.” I force a smile, turning to him. “You ready to go kick some ass?”

His lips are turned down in a frown, though I don’t know if that’s from my confession or because he’s not looking forward to the performance.

“As I’ll ever be.” With a huff, he climbs out of the car.

We make the quick walk into the school. Sam goes backstage, and I head for the audience.

River and Dean are already there with seats saved. They wave frantically when they see me.

“Hey.” I slip onto a chair. “Thanks for the seats.”

“I made sure to get here early so we’d have a good spot,” River says, beaming brightly, proud of herself.

“Excuse me,” Dean cuts in, glowering at her. “I’ve been saving these seats since five PM…when I set the damn chairs up. You showed up five minutes ago.”

“Like I said, I was early.”

He glares. “You’re lucky I’m a teacher and there are parents around so I have to remain professional—otherwise I’d flip you right off.”

She pokes her tongue out at him and he reaches for it, trying to pinch it.

I swear, sometimes they’re children.

“Yes, Dean, you’re exuding professionalism right now.”

My back snaps straight and my heart jumps into my throat.

Nolan came.

I glance up at him, and damn am I met with a sight.

Gone is his usual flannel. Tonight, it’s replaced with a crisp, clean gray button-up with the sleeves rolled up, exposing those muscular forearms of his I know feel like heaven when wrapped around me. His long legs are clad in dark-wash jeans, and his usually messy hair is combed back. A dusting of facial scruff covers his face.

I swear he’s more handsome than I remember.

“This seat taken?” He nods to the one next to me.

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