Page 29 of Hard Count
“Are you leaving me off your list on purpose or saving the best for last? And for the record I’m funny when I want to be.”
She laughs at my childish behavior. She stirs up a jealous side of me I didn’t know I had. I want to be the one making her laugh and smile. I want to be the one that makes her feel like she finally belongs somewhere.
“Time will tell I guess.” She grins. “I know you’re funny”—she squeezes my hand—“but you also don’t ask me absurd questions every time we’re together.”
“That’s because I would rather ask you something real,” I admit.
“Like what?”
It’s difficult to come up with one question when I want her to tell me everything. I try to think back to some of the more serious questions Asher has asked me over the years. He comes up with the most random things sometimes.
She squirms slightly in her seat, waiting for me to speak. “Would you rather fast forward or rewind your life?” I ask, hoping she’ll open up about her past or give a better picture of what she wants in her future.
“Does going back change the past or does it stay the same?” She bites down on her lower lip.
“Would it make a difference?” I wonder. She nods. “Then it stays the same.”
One of her co-workers stops by our table and collects our trash. We both say thank you and the girl winks at Drew making her grin. She stares down at our hands or maybe she’s looking at her bracelet.
“Fast forward. I don’t want to go back,” she says, swallowing hard.
“Aren’t you afraid you’ll miss something if you time travel to the future?”
“You’re making me choose one and reliving the past isn’t something I’m interested in doing. I would rather keep moving forward even if that means not experiencing things first hand.” She glances at the time on her phone. “I should probably get going.”
I stand from the table. “I’ll walk you to your next class,” I say, not wanting to say goodbye to her yet.
“It’s on the other side of campus.” She packs up her laptop and books into her bag. Before she can throw the strap over her shoulder, I take it from her and settle it on mine.
“That’s fine. It gives us more time to talk.” Taking her hand in mine, I escort her out the door. “If you’re set on fast forwarding to the future, would you rather miss our first kiss or Newhouse winning the national championship?”
“Well I’m not missing the championship game.” She wraps her free hand around my bicep and pulls me closer. “You’ll have to tell me what our first kiss was like.” Her eyes gleamwith mischief but her words are a confirmation of a future with her.
“I can do that.”
“What about you? What would you rather do, rewind or fast forward?”
“I’m rewinding.” I kiss her on her forehead when she stops in front of the mathematics building. “There’s no way I’m missing one second of time with you.”
11
DREW
NEWHOUSE 4-0
“Are their parties always this crowded?” I ask, as Frankie parks her car in front of the guys’ townhouse.
“On game day? Yes.” Her head swings around the front yard as the party has spilled outside and spans the entire row of townhouses.
“I might have to renegotiate the terms of my agreement with Nash.” I take Frankie’s outstretched hand as we push our way through the front door.
“I’m sure he would love to have a private party every week with you instead,” she says over her shoulder, winking at me. She leads us into the kitchen where they have a full bar set up on the island. “What do you want?” She grabs a solo cup and fills it with ice, vodka, and some juice.
“I’ll just take one of these.” I grab a can of ginger ale from an open cooler on the floor.
“Cheers.” She raises her glass.
“Cheers.” I take a sip while casually taking in the scene. I recognize a few guys on the team dotted around the room but no sign of Nash. Not that I’m here for him. He dropped me off at my apartment a few hours ago after dinner. I literally just saw him.
