Page 77 of The Change Up

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Stepping over to my baseball bag, I unzipped the bag to find that my cleats and glove were individually wrapped in plastic. But that’s not what made me pause. It was a note taped to my cleats.

Nice try, kid.

You better be rested and ready for tomorrow.

-CW, the OG CTU prankster

A laugh rumbles in my chest. Tucking the note back in my bag, I find a half-sleeping Chloe. Reaching down, I slide my hands underneath her as I fireman carry—which is oh so fitting for tonight—her to her room.

The mess can wait until tomorrow, tonight I’m curling up with the girl I love.

“Be prepared for our last exam on Monday. We’ll be covering all the chapters we’ve been discussing for the last six weeks. This is the last exam before finals. Some of you will need to do really well on this exam in order to make life easier come finals.” The professor of my Seminar in Online Journalism class says from her podium.

Closing the cover of my iPad, I gather all of the items I used during class today and shove them in my backpack. Sighing out a deep breath, I make my way down the row and follow the line of students exiting the room.

This semester has been a challenge juggling coursework, the baseball schedule, writing and editing articles for The Eagle Gazette, and trying to maintain some kind of self-care routine.

Is the self-care necessary? For most, no. But for someone who enjoys her peace after a day filled with “peopling,” taking time to myself to recharge is a must. It wasn’t bad at the beginning of the semester since Cody and I weren’t getting along. After games, I’d stay in with a book and take out, anddepending on the hotel, a hot bath, while the team went out and did whatever they did.

But now my free time has been spent with Cody. I’m not complaining about it because I’d take my days with Cody over the last two years of pain and avoidance, but I miss time for myself.

Walking across the quad, I decide I need a latte to fuel me through the rest of my classes. It’s only a little after nine, and I have a full day. The baseball team has an away game tonight, and the bus leaves at noon since it’s a semi-local away game.

My mind is reeling with how I’m going to find time in the next couple of days to study for this exam. A road game tonight, nothing tomorrow, and another weekend full of baseball from Friday through Sunday. Thankfully we only have three more weeks of classes, but I need to pass all of my classes to stay on track for next year.

Scanning the crowd, I take in the groups of people making their way to the brick buildings where classes are held. Groups of girls are lying on blankets in the sun drawing attention from everyone passing by. Tulips are blooming in the flower beds. Their vibrant colors are a pretty contrast to the dark mulch that lies in the beds. Birds chirp and fly from branch to branch.

As I continue my perusal of people through the quad, my eyes snag on something—or someone—leaning against a large tree. Long legs stick out from under khaki shorts. A muscular chest is covered by a powder blue CTU tee. A baseball cap covers his face, but I know those legs and that chest anywhere.

Side-stepping a couple walking hand in hand, I beeline through the grass to the lone guy resting in the shade.

“Hey, handsome.” I slide down the tree next to him and watch his face morph into his signature cocky smirk.

“Wildflower.” His voice drawls sleepily as he fixes his hat which was covering his face.

Sitting next to him with my legs crossed in front of me to keep the skirt of my dress from exposing the goods, Cody wraps his arm around me and pulls me into his chest. My back is to his front as his lips find the top of my head.

“What are you doing over here?”

“I needed some time to myself before the bus left.”

Leaning up on my elbow, I look up and take in his face. His perfectly chiseled jawline has a light dusting of facial hair. Cody’s face is always clean-shaven. I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen any hint of a five o’clock shadow. It’s then I notice the dark circles hanging out under his eyes. “Everything okay?”

He smiles down at me. Only it’s not his usual smile. This one doesn’t reach his eyes. “Yeah, babe.”

“Are we lying to each other now?”

“Everything’s fine. My body is just feeling it right now. I have a meeting with Coach Weber tomorrow to talk about what’s to come, and I’m just feeling the season on top of everything. Nothing for you to worry about.” He leans down and kisses my forehead.

“I’m always here if you need anything.”

He hums. “Have time to just sit with me?”

Glancing down at my watch, I nod at Cody with a small sigh. “I have some time.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just don’t know how you balance everything. I’m feeling so overwhelmed with assignments, travel, and classes, and I feel like I haven’t checked in with myself lately.”