Page 71 of The Transfer
“It means I need you. I need you back in my life. Even if I don’t deserve it…can you please stay with me? I’m done fighting and pushing people away.”
I close my eyes, lips trembling at his confession. I take a few breaths, hoping that when I reopen my eyes, this is real and not a dream I’m going to wake up in my bed crying over.
He’s a little hesitant at first, but he wraps me up in a hug, and I feel like I’m finally myself again. He is part of me, and I’ve been missing it for too long.
“I’ll stay.”
He smiles a tiny, watery smile back my way.
I get home so latethat I have to tiptoe up the stairs so I don’t wake my brother.
The moment my head hits the pillow, I’m bombarded with replays of the last few hours. In a conversation that needed to happen, I’m still left with questions.
He wants me to stay.
But does he want me?
FIFTY-THREE
RIGGS
The bus ride to Charlotte takes just over two hours, but we are all ready to stretch our legs after listening to Carter tell jokes the whole way. I could hear Reagan giggling from my seat, several rows away, and jealousy ran through me, wishing it were me she was laughing with.
After our conversation a few nights ago, my hopes are sky-high. I finally admitted what I should have said from the beginning: I need her. It took pushing her out to realize that I’m not whole without her. Things haven’t gone back to normal between us, but I’m not giving up until they do.
As the top seed, we don’t have to play on the first day of games. We had practice at a local high school earlier, and now it’s free time. I plan on taking advantage of it to watch tape and grab a nap.
“Do we get to share a hotel room, Rea?” I hear someone say, and I’m ready to spit nails. Just because she isn’t mine yet doesn’t mean anyone else can have her either.Right?
“Dude, gross. That’s my sister.” J throws that out, and Reagan rolls her eyes before punching Carter right in the arm.
Relief flows through me as I see her treating him like a brother. I need to get a grip. Carter flirts with everyone, and I know he doesn’t like Rea that way.
“Okay, men, settle down.” Coach saves the day, passing out room keys and reminding us of our curfew.
Jordan is my roommate for the weekend, and although we haven’t discussed Reagan or what happened between us, I have noticed him spending more time around her.
A few hours later,I’m heading down to the lobby to meet the team. Everyone is grabbing dinner together before heading to a movie. Coach wants to keep us together and away from the potential for trouble as much as possible.
I see my teammates as I step off the elevator, but my eyes are quickly pulled in a different direction at the sound of a voice. Not just any voice.
Drew freaking Cole.
And he’s standing about ten feet from my girl.
Except she’s not mine.
“My, my, my, Rea Rea…you’re a sight for sore eyes.” I’m going to punch him right in his smug face.
“Hey, Drew.” That’s all she says, and I release a breath. I know she doesn’t see him as more than a friend, but I wouldn’t put it past Drew to take advantage of any chance he can get.
“I thought I saw you through the window, and I wanted to say hi.” He says it without any of his usual cockiness. I think he’s still heartbroken over her.Same, bro.
I’m relieved to see Jordan approaching the two, hoping he'll put an end to their conversation.
“Cole. What are you doing here?” He shows no emotion.
“Mills. I’m just catching up with Rea Rea here. But while I’m at it, I also want to wish y’all good luck. You’ll need it to beat us this time.” And just like that, we all want to punch him. More teammates walk up, and the tension builds.
