Page 110 of Just One Season
No matter how I feel about it, this thing with Lucy Knox will definitely be over.
CHAPTER 31
Fake Breakup
LUCY
Sunday, December 15
This morning, I felt like I was dressing for my own funeral.
Last night after Ava’s party was over, I stayed and hung out at Bri’s house with Kellen and the boys. Everyone helped clean up, and Bri put on a movie. Kellen tucked the birthday girl into bed and then sat next to me on the couch, our thighs almost touching. The lights were dimmed low, and he put his arm around the couch behind me, not on my shoulders, but close.
I half hoped he would ask me to come to his house after the movie. But he didn’t, and that’s probably for the best, so I just shuffled out along with the others and left him standing on Bri’s porch.
When I got home, there were text messages waiting for me. I had a surge of hope, like he’d beg me to come back.
But he didn’t.
Kellen
Thanks for everything tonight. I loved seeing you with Ava. She loves you. She fell asleep with MBM (the stuffed animal) tucked under her arm
Kellen
And thank you for helping with my situation. You made everything better this fall. I’m so glad you came to FoCo
Kellen
Good night, Lucy
I pressed my phone to my chest and shut my eyes. What can I say to him? How can I sum up how I feel about him and Ava and this town?
I couldn’t come up with anything that felt good enough.
Me
I’m glad I came too
Me
Good night
He didn’t respond back.
I’m reading the texts again as I make my way up the stairs to the level of the arena with access to the corporate sponsorship box.
Those felt like goodbye texts.
They are.
But my phone buzzes in my hand and it’s a new text in our chain.
I pause outside the second-floor stairwell to read.
Kellen
Game’s about to start. Good luck with our breakup. I’m so sorry I can’t be there to break upwith you in person
