Page 36 of Tempting the Player
I leave her to shower and get ready, and then we make the short walk to campus. The skies are gray today and the wind makes me wish I’d worn something more than a sweatshirt.
By the time we get to the dining hall, my fingers are red and frozen. I sit down at the table across from Felix while Dahlia sits beside him.
He kisses his girlfriend, then smiles at me. “Hey, Hannah Montana.”
“I’m too hungover to deal with you today, Walters.”
He laughs as he tosses a hunk of muffin into his mouth. “I heard you four got into some fun last night. And my bed was real lonely.” He kisses Dahlia again. They make out long enough that people all around are looking at them. My friend is blushing when they break apart.
“You two are gross and adorable.” I shove a big spoonful of cereal into my mouth.
“Weird combination,” he says back, not at all fazed by me.
Lucas and Teddy, plus Felix’s sister, Holly, are all already at the table. A few minutes later we’re joined by Brogan and Archer. As soon as I see the latter, my heart squeezes.
“Hey, Jane,” he says and offers me a smile that’s both apologetic and pitying.
“Hey,” I parrot back and smile in a way I hope communicates that there’s no need for his apology or his pity. I’m fine. Better than fine. I’m also a liar.
I stay mostly quiet during breakfast. The guys are talking football and parties, and probably other things I tune out. My head still feels like a marching band has taken up residence inside it.
As the time inches closer to eight o’clock, the dining hall starts to empty. Teddy and Holly are the first to leave, followed by Lucas. Dahlia and Felix are in their own little world.
“How’ve you been?” Brogan asks. “Haven’t seen you around lately.”
“I’m good. Busy with school and stuff.”
“That’s cool.” He bobs his head. His phone vibrates on the table in front of him and he picks it up and concentrates hard on whatever text or notification came in.
I glance up and meet Archer’s eyes for the first time since he sat down. I smile again at him, then quickly look down and pretend like all the food on my plate is extra interesting.
I’m thankful when it’s time to go. I like Archer but it’s still too weird being around him. He catches up to me as I’m dropping off my tray.
“I’ll see you around,” I say brightly.
“Yeah. I’ll see you around.” He hesitates, then says, “He’s still here. In case you were wondering.”
“Who?” I ask, and I’m genuinely confused at first because I never even considered that Hendrick was still in Valley.
“My brother. Hendrick hasn’t left town yet.”
“Why not?” A little bite works its way into my tone.
Archer shrugs one shoulder. “He keeps saying he’s going soon, but...”
For some stupid reason I feel like crying again. Stupid wine that gave me this stupid hangover. Stupid drama that has me all emotional and hypersensitive. Stupid, stupid, stupid. “I wasn’t wondering. I mean, he can be wherever he wants. It doesn’t matter to me.”
12
HENDRICK
“Hey,”I say as I step out into the garage where Knox is working on his motorcycle during his lunch break. “Can we talk?”
He glances up, takes in my serious expression, and automatically glowers. But he nods. “Sure. What’s up?”
“I’m heading out tomorrow.”
He stares at me a beat as he wipes his dirty hands on a rag. “You said that two weeks ago.”
