Page 67 of Fighting the Odds

She seems skittish right now, and the wrong move could send her running.

Once we reach the jeep, Colton and Braxton climb into the back seat, leaving the passenger seat for Sierra. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy as fuck that I beat the other two downstairs to get the keys today. Otherwise I’d be sitting in the back with the other unlucky one.

We’re not waiting long, maybe five minutes, before Sierra comes out of the building, her book bag slung over her shoulder and two books in her hand. She gives an awkward smile before heading our way.

I push off the Jeep and make my way toward her, taking the books from her hand.

“Thank you,” she whispers, a tinge of pink on her cheeks as she looks down at the ground.

“You’re welcome. I can take your book bag too if you like.”

“Uhm, no, that’s okay.” When we reach the jeep, I open the passenger door for her. She sits down, placing the book bag at her feet and takes the books from my hands, placing them in her lap. Shutting the door, I run around the jeep and get in the driver’s seat.

The music plays softly on the radio as I turn the ignition on. Checking my mirror, I slowly pull away from the curb into the traffic and head for school.

“How’s Sam?” she asks as she picks nervously at the frayed edges of a piece of paper sticking out of her book.

“She’s doing good. She misses you, but I think the videos are helping,” I tell her, fighting the urge to reach over and grasp her hand in mine.

“They help me too. I’ve never gone this long without seeing her.” She lifts her hand, wiping the tear that escaped. Fuck. My heart clenches, not wanting to see her cry.

“You should see how she tackles us when we come in the door from school. She could take down the entire defensive line of a football team on her own. But once she gets our phone, she’s rushing away to make her video,” Colton says, and she turns to look over her shoulder at him.

Sierra doesn’t say anything, but I notice the slight turning up of the corners of her lips.

I guess she likes the idea of him being roughed up. But if it makes her smile, I’ll tell her stories of stupid shit that happens to him all the time.

“Is it okay if I come over and work on the project today? We’re a little behind and need to catch up,” I ask.

“Can I think about it? Maybe we can go to that coffee shop again?”

It’s not her house, but I’ll take it. I just wish we could meet somewhere without other people around.

“Sure, just let me know.” If only she could come to my house, but she can’t with Sam being there.

Colton and Braxton talk about a show they watched on television last night while Sierra just stares out of the window. She tries to hide it, but I can hear a soft chuckle every now and then at something they say.

It’s the cutest laugh ever.

I turn into the doughnut shop and go through the drive thru. Her head turns to me. “What are we doing here?”

“Breakfast. What do you want?” I ask her.

She shakes her head, but I’m not taking no for an answer.

“Coffee and a glazed doughnut it is,” I say playfully.

“Welcome to Dunk and Brew. What can I get you?” The scratchy feminine voice comes through the speaker, just a tad bit too perky for this time of the morning. Guess she’s had her coffee and some espresso.

I give her our order and pull up to the next window, my hand already hanging out with the cash before we get there.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she tells me.

“I know. I wanted to.”

The cashier takes the money from me, and hands me back my change. We only have to wait a minute before she hands the bag of pastries then the coffees out to me. I pass them along to who they go to. It still amazes me that when you have a multi drink order, they don’t go ahead and put it in a drink carrier.

We spend the rest of the ride in silence, other than the faint beats of the bass from the radio. Colton passes out the doughnuts to everyone. Sierra holds on to hers for a moment before taking a bite.

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