Page 45 of Tempting the Player
Hendrick
That was.
Me
You mean like a million years ago. Did they have cell phones then?
Hendrick
Have a nice time in Diction class.
It doesn’t even surprise me he knows my schedule or that he avoided my dig. He’s only five years older, but I like teasing him any way I can. I might still be a little salty about the whole make out turned “we can’t do this anymore” situation.
“Who are you talking to?” Daisy asks.
“What?” I look up to find her and Jordan both looking at me, Daisy wearing a curious smile. We’ve stopped in front of my building, and I was grinning at my phone like an idiot. “Sorry. I was making sure Hendrick was here.”
“Is he?” She looks around for him.
“Over by the bike rack in front of the registration office building.” I tip my head in that direction.
“I don’t see him,” she says after a few moments of continuing to search for him.
I look over to where I last saw him, but he’s not there. “Well, he was there. He’s a little too good at staying out of view.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Jordan asks, dropping Daisy’s hand and then wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She leans into him so naturally, and that pang of longing for what they have hits me.
“Yes, but it’s unnerving.”
“I know you didn’t want someone looking after you, but I’m really glad he’s here.” Daisy gives me a small smile filled with sympathy and worry. She steps forward to hug me. “Text if you need anything or want to walk back home together.”
“I will,” I say as I hug her back.
Once I’m inside my class, I find a seat and pull out my phone again.
Me
Where are you now?
Hendrick
Close.
Me
How close?
Hendrick
Close enough to know you need to put your phone away and get ready for class.
I roll my eyes and then tap out another reply.
Me
Class hasn’t started yet. What do you do while I’m in class, anyway?
Hendrick
