Page 36 of Hello Forever
I slid a hand onto his leg. “So did I. If you have any ideas about how we can do it again, I’m all ears. The next away game is two weeks from now inProvidence.”
“Which night?” he askedsoftly.
“Thetenth.”
Cax leaned back, his head bumping the headrest. “That’s the night of Scotty’s holidayconcert.”
“So…you have to gotothat?”
He turned his head. “I’m the only one who shows up at these things. I know it doesn’t sound like a bigdealbut…”
I held up a hand. “I get it. It’s part of the biggerpicture.”
“For four years I let him twist so I could get away from my father’s bullshit. But my brothers can’t escape yet. So I’m there to make it better. I’m trying to show my face as often as I can, so if something goes bad at home they know exactly whotocall.”
He was a bigger man than I was. “They’re so lucky to have you. I hope youknowthat.”
Cax squeezed my hand. “God, Axel. You’re killing me. I hate saying no to you when I really want tosayyes.”
I wrapped my fingers around his.Don’t be sad. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but this time I didn’t say them. I didn’t have the power to fix the things in his life that were broken. No matter how much Iwantedto.
“I know it’s a drag,” he said with a sigh. “Thank you for changing my life for a singlenight.”
“Anytime.” I meant that literally. “I really want to kiss you right now,” I saidhonestly.
He eyed the activity near the bus. “That’s abadidea.”
I don’t think so. “I’ll see you at the gym,maybe?”
“Sure.”
There was no more to say, so I got out of the car and boardedthebus.
* * *
Axeldental to Caxtastrophe:My bball team is playing the engineering school tomorrow night. Should I beafraid?
Caxtastrophe to Axeldental:You’re kidding, right? They play in black socks. Just watch out for theirglasses.
Axeldental to Caxtastrophe:You have agametoo?
Caxtastrophe to Axeldental:Not tomorrow. Our next one is Tuesday, vs. the medical school. They are surprisingly good. It’s all that ambitionandego.
Axeldental to Caxtastrophe:Thanks for the heads up. My game against the engineers is at six. Beers at Bruisersafter?
Caxtastrophe to Axeldental:Can’t. Got too much work to do after blowing off theweekend.
Axeldental to Caxtastrophe:Mmm… blowing.Sogood.
Caxtastrophe to Axeldental:And now I’m hard in thelibrary.
Axeldental to Caxtastrophe:Not my problem. Unless you want it to be.Later!
ChapterThirteen
Cax
“Hey!”Jason squeezed my shoulder at the library the next afternoon. “Can I buy you a beer after you’re finished here? There’s something I need to talk to youabout.”
