Page 29 of A Sky Full Of Stars

On top of that, Luke’s been talking about some big party his friends are having that he’s missing, and now all I can think about is Thomas’s smiling face. A smile that’s not reserved for me, and it’s sending my mind into a spin. I’m supposed to be forgetting him. I don’t want to picture him snuggling on the couch with some beautiful senior, or grinding against a college girl on the dance floor.

My phone vibrates on my desk and I race over, wishing I could see his name flash across the screen, but it’s not him. It’s never him. He hasn’t even asked for my number. Instead it’s Melissa checking in to make sure I’m ready.

But I’m not. I’ve never even thought about dating before.Why haven’t I thought about dating before?

If Thomas wasn’t in the picture, things with Jace would be easier. But he is, and despite wanting to get over him this summer, I can’t stop thinking about him.

Although, I have to admit, for the first time my thoughts have been somewhat divided, and Jace has been amazing this past month. I like him. Yes, I still like Thomas. But I like Jace. I owe it to us both to push Thomas from my mind and go on this date. After all, he’ll probably be spending tonight with another girl. It’s time I had some fun.

Lainey: I’m nervous but good. I can do this

Melissa: Hell yeah, you can. You’ve got this. And I want ALL the details

I send her back the laughing emoji and glance at myself in the mirror. I’ve let my long brown hair fall naturally—when I’d generally have it pulled back—and I’m wearing a fitted dress, instead of my usually flowy outfits. I’ve even put on some mascara and lip gloss. Melissa’s right. I’ve got this. I’m ready for my first date, and it’s time I had my first kiss.

Chapter Ten

Thomas

The summer break flies by, and before I know it, it’s over. While most of the guys headed home or went away on vacation, I spent my time working my ass off, pushing myself to my limits, ensuring I have what it takes to step up should the quarterback position become available.

And when our summer training camp begins, I’m feeling good.

“Thomas Kelly, I want you to run the next play with Mathers and Peters,” our offensive coordinator says.

The newbies. Again.Goddammit. I know I was only a freshman last year, but I was hoping I’d get to run more plays with the seniors instead of winding up back here. Still, I don’t complain. I show them again and again that I’m here to do whatever it takes, proving I’m their guy.

By the end of the first day, I’m wrecked, but God, I’m happy. This is where I belong.

If I’m being completely honest with myself, the summer break was hard. I don’t do well with time on my hands. I much prefer to be busy, and I’ve been missing having my friends around to keep me going.

I miss Lainey. Especially now that I know she’s home and I haven’t seen her.

It’s strange to think that she went from being Luke’s little sister, to a girl I spoke to a couple of times, to my closest friend.And yet, I never got her number. I just relied on her always being there, because she was, every time.

Now, it’s been close to two months since I last saw her, and it has me twisted in knots. I need to talk to her. To see her smile. I’m not sure when or how it happened, but she’s become my rock, my confidant.

She’s the only one that calms me… and I’m desperate for some calm.

With Summer on a break from school, she and Dad have been fighting more often, and because of that, she’s spending more time away, which only makes them argue more. And I have no idea why. I assumed she was staying at Cory’s, but why would that cause any fighting?

Sometimes I wonder if maybe my dad doesn’t know how to deal with girls. Maybe he’s not equipped to handle her sass. God knows she’s got plenty of it. But then other days, I wonder if it’s her. If she’s purposely pushing his buttons.

Either way, it’s tiring, and I both love and hate being kept out of the loop.

After we’re finally dismissed for the day, I’m walking out to the parking lot when I hear my name being called. I stop and turn to see my new teammate, Dylan Mathers, jogging toward me, a smile on his face.

“Hey man, sorry to delay your trip home, but I had to say that you were incredible. I’ve been to plenty of open training sessions, and I’ve never seen a sophomore go as hard as you did today. It was a pleasure to practice with you. I think we’re going to have a great season.”

“Thank you. You did really well yourself,” I say with a grin, watching his smile grow. “I actually remember you from the juniors; we practiced together occasionally.” It was rare but it happened, and everyone knew him because of his dad, thegreat Dean Mathers. “For some reason, I always thought you were a quarterback.”I remember him being my competition.“But maybe that’s just because I knew your dad was.”

Dylan pales slightly as he runs a hand through his hair, visibly uncomfortable.Did I say the wrong thing?

“No…uh. I was a quarterback.” He pauses. “I just found I was better suited to being a wide receiver.”

Fuck. I’ve hit a nerve. “Sorry, I—”

“No, it’s fine. I should be used to people asking me that question. It comes up a lot.”

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