Page 108 of Wish You Were Mine
Sure, we were lab partners for three hours a week, but I’d been careful not to let anything slip—only looking at Owen when completely necessary.
Okay. With theoccasionalextra glance.
But still. Pretty sure the only person whomighthave dirt on me was the tall guy who’d been following me Tuesday night.
Not that he could have seen me go into Owen’s apartment…right?
It had been dark. I’d been across the street. I was almost certain I had my hood up.
Hadn’t I?
I tried to shove the thought away. I was probably fine. Hopefully.
But with all these massive hockey players around me, with their shoulders and elbows and big booming voices, I suddenly felt small. At risk.
A flicker of unease crawled under my skin, and I scanned the room, suddenly needing to find Nora again. Just to anchor myself. Just to breathe.
And then, it happened.
Someone slammed into me—hard. A big guy, laughing with his friends, not even glancing my way. I stumbled straight into Brody, my hand instinctively grabbing his arm to steady myself as a flash of panic surged through me.
Because for a split second, I wasn’t here anymore. I was back in that too-small kitchen, slammed into the counter, breath knocked out of me and fear crawling up my spine.
“Hey, man,” Brody said, tensing beside me as he turned toward the guy. “Watch where you’re going.”
“Sorry.” The guy raised his hands, still grinning like it was no big deal. “She’s so tiny I barely saw her.”
A flash of anger lit across Brody’s face, and my stomach dropped.
Was this going to turn into another fight? Right here? Because ofme?
But then, Brody exhaled, jaw tightening as he reined it in.
“You okay?” he asked, looking down at me.
I nodded, willing the tremor in my hands to still—trying to hold onto the present. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?” He dipped his head low, searching my eyes.
“Yeah…” I said stepping back before he could see all my secrets. “Sorry I’m being so weird. But I-I think I’m gonna head out.”
“I can give you a ride if you need,” Brody offered, his hand steadying me gently at the elbow. “I only had one drink, so I should be good.”
“Um…thanks.” I hesitated, since part of me was still clinging to the hope that Owen would text and this night wouldn’t be a complete bust.
Then, as if summoned, my watch lit up with a message fromTheo’s friend.
Finally.
I glanced back up at Brody. “Actually, I think I’ll just walk. It’s not far.”
“You sure?” he asked, brow furrowing. “It’s not always safe out there.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said, offering a small smile. “But thank you. And thanks for inviting me tonight.”
I stepped away and pulled my phone from my pocket, my thumb already swiping up to unlock it before I reached the edge of the room.
Theo’s friend: I’m parked across the street whenever you’re ready.
