Page 44 of Close Knit

The door slams open, and half of my teammates rush in.

“Hastings?” Okafor’s voice snaps me to attention.

“What were you two doing in here?” Mohamed’s eyes scan the pinball machine, the blankets on the couch, and the television.

“Cameron asked for a knitting lesson,” she teases.

“Are you going to help with the auction for Femi?” Okafor chimes in. A pang of jealousy hits me—not the romantic kind, but the kind that comes from seeing the ease with which she’s bonded with my teammates. I feel like a kid in a sandbox, wanting to be part of their friendship.

“She meant spiders.” I clear my throat. “I was helping Daphne prepare for another spider emergency.”

“Another spider?” Gustafsson cries, his voice an octave higher than usual. I grin at the hulking footballer, who could probably bench-press a car, quivering at the thought of a tiny arachnid. “I can’t handle those things, man. They’re like tiny, creepy ninjas.”

I nod at Daphne before pushing past them. “Don’t worry, Gustafsson, you can leave the spider battles to me.”

The guys stare at me in disbelief. I slip upstairs, listening to the chatter and laughter pouring out of the common room. For the first time in months, their liveliness doesn’t sting. When I step inside my apartment, I catch my faint smile in the window reflection. Ideas for things to do with my new friends start tumbling around in my mind.

My heart races, and my palms sweat. I might have a chance, after all this time, to not just exist, but to try and live again.

Cameron

Need a nice London spot for a Monday afternoon.

Where should I go?

No press. No phones.

Brooklyn

Cam has finally entered the chat!

After a long hiatus……………

Cameron

Been busy.

Mom

Are you going on a date?

Give me a call this week. Dad and I miss your face!

Dante

Let’s not jump to conclusions, perhaps Cameron’s simply attempting to take himself out.

Cameron

Nvm.

Brooklyn

We’re kidding

But how nice are we talking? Dinner? Cocktails? An activity? A show?

I have so many questions

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