Page 71 of Falling With a Spin

“But let me help you. That's what a best friend does. Be there through the tough shit and celebrate the wins.”

“I know, but it’s a long story and one I really don’t want to relive,” I whisper, my head still down because I can’t bring myself to look him in the face.

“I have all the time in the world for you, Emma.” He whispers.

With that I tell him everything since the night of the party. What Chad did to me and how he acted once I came back to school. I had to pause after that because he was about to leave the diner to find him, but I got him to sit back down. I tell him that Taylor called my mom to get me out of bed, and I swear I see something flash in his eyes. I explain how I met Hunter and that he’s been here since that night by helping me pass calculus, taking my mind off the hurt and pain, and coming out to Arizona with me so I didn’t have to deal with my dad by myself. But when I explained to him how it hurt me when I saw him with his teammates and Chad or how he didn’t do anything to back me up when Chad called me names.

Realization crosses his face, “I'm a fucking idiot.” He shakes his head and rests his elbows on the table, placing his forehead in his hands.

“Hey, look at me.” He keeps his head, letting out a sigh, I continue.“It’s okay now. I’m doing okay and much better, especially since I started dancing again.”

Caleb's head snaps up, eyes going wide as a smirk plays on my lips..\

“You started again?” He whispers.

I just nod my head because, for once, I’m happy to share this with someone who knows what I’ve gone through. To not be able to do the one thing I love most in the world. He was there that day in the crowd, every day at the hospital, and came with me to all of my PT appointments; he knows what dancing means to me.

He isn’t the only one, though. The voice in the back of my head says.

“Okay, okay, enough about me,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Tell me what has been going on with you.”

So he does. He tells me that both classes and basketball are going well. He’s hoping to make captain next year which will be a huge deal. Scouts have come already to look at him, trying to convince him to sign on early, but he wants to finish school first. Then he drops a bomb on me. Well not a bomb, but I’m definitely shocked.

“I’m kind of seeing someone.” A blush creeps across his cheeks, and I just gape at him.

“No way. Who is it? Do I know her? Tell me everything!” I throw the questions at him from left to right, and he just laughs.

“I’m not telling you anything until it’s official. She’s actually the reason why I was late. I was talking with her about it but she isn’t ready just yet.” He sighs and shakes his head.

“Well, whoever she is, she’s very lucky to have you.” I smile at him just as our waitress brings over our food.

Before I dig into the chicken tenders that I have been craving, I look up to see Justin, Garrett, Matt, and Cole. I give them a small smile and go to take a bite of my food when my eyes lock onto a pair of baby blues.

Hunter.

Chapter 26

Emma

Our eyes stay locked onto each other, and my heart beats frantically in my chest. I’m pretty sure that Caleb is trying to tell me something, but all my focus is on Hunter.

His gaze adverts to the back of Caleb’s head, and what I see next causes panic to rise in me. Hunter and Caleb haven’t met each other. I was waiting till things calmed down between Caleb and me, except that it took two months too long.

His jaw clenches, eyes narrowing because he doesn’t know that the person in front of me has been my best friend since we were little. That nothing is there except friendship, but, I can’t tell that to him from here.

I turn back to Caleb just as I notice Hunter is leaving the diner.

Shit.

“I will be right back.” I quickly move out of the booth and run to the door, trying not to bump into anyone.

I need to explain to him that what he thinks he saw isn’t what's happening. I need to tell him that I have missed him too much and that I love him. I don’t want to continue to be apart like this. But as I get to the door, Garrett stops me, shaking his head.

“Garrett, let me go. I need to talk to him.” I try to move around him, but he mirrors my move.

“Please, let me go to him.” I plead, “It’s not what you think it is. I promise.”

“Sorry, Emma, but no. He gave you time to figure things out, and you should let him do the same.” He stays right there as I watch Hunter speed out of the parking lot. “I don’t know what’s going on with that,” he waves his hand towards where the booth is at, “but, Hunter will reach out when he is ready.”

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