Page 135 of Built to Fall
That damn island felt like it was glowing because of her, and I hadn’t even realized how rare her smile was until I saw it there, wide and effortless.
It made the whole world feel like it was standing still, like it wasn’therholding her breath anymore—it was me, waiting for her to crack a joke or laugh or, God forbid, shoot that smile my way justone more time.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.
“Grant!” Savannah calls, stepping in front of me with a bright smile, blocking my view of the rest of the room I had been scanning.
“Hey,” I say, my voice quieter than I intended.
“Good game, superstar,” she teases, bumping her shoulder into mine.
“Yeah, yeah,” I say, grinning without really feeling it.
Kenzie and Delaney also come over, leaving me completely surrounded. The girls include me in a conversation of their own, but they don’t care whether or not I’m paying attention.
And the truth is, I’m not. The whole time they’re talking, I’m half-listening, half-scanning the crowd.
“That was so much fun!” Kenzie says, pulling my attention back toward them.
“All of B’s throws were dead on,” Savannah adds, sounding impressed.
“Where did he go?”
Delaney points over her shoulder toward the hall. “He went to find Meredith.”
I nod, offering a half-hearted smile. All I can think about is that if Braxton finds Meredith, Lina probably isn’t far.
I know she’s here. She told me this morning when we woke up in my bed and I asked, “You’re coming to the game, aren’t you?”
She even said, “See you there,” before kissing me lightly on the cheek and leaving my apartment to go back to hers.
For a moment I think I’m going crazy when I feel the ghost of lips on my cheek again, but I quickly realize it’s Savannah who leans in and presses a quick, friendly kiss to my cheek. “That touchdown you had was amazing, Grant.”
It’s something she’s done a thousand times—harmless, stupid, something I barely even register. Until I see Lina
She’s standing a few feet away, just inside the hallway.
And she saw.
Lina freezes, like a deer caught in headlights. Her whole body goes rigid, hands tightening at her sides. She looks like she wasn’t prepared to be seen, like she wishes she could disappear.
And then—before I can even get her name past my lips—she whirls around and darts into the nearest bathroom.
“Shit,”I curse, trying to back away from the girls quickly so I can follow her. But Savannah stops me when she turns and catches a small glimpse of brown hair fleeing the room before the door shuts with a dull thud.
I hadn't even realized Eden and Kara were standing with her until I saw Eden reach out for her. “Lina,” she calls, her voice distant.
It looks as though her two friends are gearing up to follow after her until Savannah speaks up.
“I’ll talk to her,” she says, calm as can be.
I stare after the bathroom door Lina disappeared into, my gut twisting.
“I should explain?—”
“Grant,” Savannah interrupts, giving me a knowing look, “trust me. It’ll be better coming from me right now.”
I don’t like it.
