Page 103 of Broken Bonds

“How’s Ryan?” I asked, plopping down next to her. She looked up and smiled around the straw of her drink.

“Not talking to Ryan, silly. My sister—she’s coming to visit this weekend. I’m so freaking excited for you to meet her.”

My eyes widened, excited for her. “Which one? You have so many!” Amber had really been missing her family lately, and I was so happy she was finally reconnecting with them.

“The oldest—Jaime. She’ll be here tomorrow before the game, and then, I’m going to take her to the after-party, and we’lljust spend the weekend around town, maybe go to the beach. Will you come with us?”

I scoffed and waved her off. “I’m your girl. Of course, I’ll come with you.”

She beamed at me and then made anooohsound. “Why is your makeup so good today? Did you curl your hair? Who in the world are you trying to impress, girl?!”

Blushing, I snuck a look to the front of the room to see if the professor had walked in yet. “Julian, of course. Today is Thursday, so he’s going to ask me to the game—like always.”

Her smile dropped. “Are you sure? He hasn’t even come to class since you two had that fight.”

I shrugged, refusing to let her get my hopes down. “It’s Thursday. He’s never missed a Thursday.”

But he wasn’t in our next class.

The seat beside me remained empty for another hour as I fought the urge to cry. I kept my head down, my hair covering my face as I walked out of the room once class ended and joined the bustling crowd in the hallway. Suddenly, I was pulled from the throes of people and into the arms of Julian. His lips landed on mine before I had time to blink, and he was kissing me.

He came.

His lips moved against mine—rough and eager, teeth biting at my bottom lip. He pulled away, his eyes gleaming. “Hey, baby,” he whispered, brushing his nose against mine, and I inhaled the scent of his cologne.

“Hey.”

“Will you be my date to the game Friday, babe?” I beamed as he held up his jersey and smiled as if he hadn’t been missing for three days. As if I wasn’t curious about where he’d been and the silence between us.

“Of course, my love.” Taking the jersey with my good hand, I clutched it tightly. His eyes shifted to my cast and then my face.

“How’s the wrist?” he asked.

“Okay.” I forced a smile to my lips. “Thanks for asking.”

“I care about you, baby; you know that.”

Did he?

“Where were you all week?” I tentatively asked. “You haven’t answered my texts or anything.”

He sighed, looking annoyed that I was questioning him. I wanted to shrink back, but I held my ground. “Been busy with practice and work. Sorry.” I nodded at the answer, knowing it was a lie, but I didn’t want to upset him like last time.

“Wanna go out tonight?” I whispered against his lips when he leaned down to kiss me again.

He pulled away, dropping his arms that were locked around me. “Can’t. I have practice.”

“After?” I asked hopefully.

He shook his head, and my heart dropped to my feet. “I’ll take you to the party after the game. How about that?”

That wasn’t a date. It wasn’t what I wanted, but maybe I just needed to take what he offered.

“Sure,” I mumbled.

“Don’t wear the same dress you wore last time. I don’t need all the guys looking at you again.”

What? I’d worn that dress because he told me to!

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