Page 146 of Keep Me Never
They look at one another, nodding lightly, accepting my nonanswer for now and wrapping me in their arms.
“We were hoping that was all,” Cam says. “That you passed out and were all whack on your time. We were going to sneak in somehow and drag you to lunch.”
My stomach suddenly feels hollow at the mention of food and I force myself to nod, not wanting to walk away from these girls who have become my best friends until I’m forced to.
When he gets back.
Two days ago, I was sad he wasn’t here, and now I dread the moment he returns.
I allow the girls to lead me to the café, and when we round the corner, I nearly stop walking at the sight of Mason and Brady.
Surely they know. He’s their best friend.
“What the hell?” Cam mumbles, and we realize they are arguing.
Their eyes snap up, spotting us, and when they spot me, their faces go slack.
They know, don’t they?
“What’s going on?” Ari asks.
Mason looks over at Brady and holds his hand out. “Just tell her, man.”
Brady’s expression tightens as he stares at his best friend, only looking to me a moment later.
I swallow, trying to keep my tone neutral. “Tell me what?”
“It could be nothing…” he says softly, looking over at Cam when she steps up and takes his hand.
“Brady, what’s going on? Tell us.” Cam frowns, her other hand wrapping around my free one.
Brady runs a hand along the back of his head and gives a little shrug. “Nothing, it’s just that I got all unpacked last night, walked down here to grab something to eat before they closed, and when I got back, Fernando was in the room.”
I frown from Mase to him, not comprehending.
“Brady,” Cameron pushes, clearly as confused as I am.
“He said that he’s my roommate this semester. He put in for a swap in the middle of last semester because he and Jensen argued all the time, but there were no rooms that came up. And I guess he got a call last week and they told him someone had left the house. His new room is…my room.”
His new room is Brady’s room.
The room that Brady shares with Chase—that he has shared with Chase since they first arrived here freshman year nearly four years ago.
“I… But…” My throat is closing, and I look from one person to the next, to the next, my feet shuffling backward, my head shaking. “I don’t understand.” My voice is but a whisper.
“I mean, neither do we,” Mason offers, wrapping his arm around Payton and pulling her close. “We already reached out to Coach, but he didn’t have anything to tell us…”
Mason cuts a quick glance at Brady, and Mase sighs. “He told you about his injury over break.”
I nod, unable to keep the hint of concern from slipping in. At least he’ll have them to talk to now. When he needs someone.
“Wait, what injury?” Cam pushes. “What injury, Mase?”
“He wasn’t ready for everyone to know but…” Mason’s shoulders fall and he looks to me, letting me make the call, but it’s not my place to share anymore so I look away, more tears stinging the back of my eyes.
“Chase found out he has a spinal issue. He can’t play anymore, but…” Mason looks my way, ignoring the girls gasping around me. “Do you think that’s why he moved out? ’Cause being in the football house with everyone is too much?”
I lift my shoulders, not trusting myself to speak. Mason frowns, studying me.
