Page 41 of The Sky Between Us

“Not really in the mood,” I shook my head and checked my phone. “I might just hang out with Hazel.”

“All you do is hang out with her,” Benin added mockingly. “You barely hang out with your team.”

With a sigh, I ignored him. So, what if I was spending more time with a girl? I spent my first three years with them.

“I mean, Coach is already going to get you into a soccer club, no need for you to take a pity on his daughter too,” Howard, our defense player, muttered.

My head snapped his way and my eyes narrowed. “What did you say?”

Elliot placed his hand on my shoulder. “Relax, we are just joking, but it’s true you’ve been around less. This is our last year together…”

Guilt made my stomach twist and I massaged my tense neck, trying to ease the pressure. Whatever I did, someone was getting hurt and annoyed at me, and I was tired. Being the good guy, I was all my life, they expected me to crumble, but I wanted to follow my own heart this time.

But I needed to compromise for my team and for the championship. Coach was right, I was their captain and I needed to set an example.

“Fine, party tonight, but let’s keep it chill,” I gave in, taking my phone in my hand.

“Are you going to ask Hazel for permission?” Howard mocked me, but I ignored him as I shot her a message. I wasn’t asking her permission; I was simply telling her what the plans were. There was a difference between the two, not like any of them would ever understand that.

Two and a half hours later, we were all cramped in our living room, fighting over four family sized pizzas. Sarah sat in one of the armchairs and Hazel propped herself up on the armrest. With bent heads, they were scrolling through Instagram. Ever since Hazel signed up for the app, I found her obsessively checking it and stalking everyone she ever knew. I kind of felt like she had no idea what she was missing out on until now. I created a monster. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I checked her account just to see what they were discussing with such enthusiasm.

Claire’s post popped up as soon as I opened it, and it was a picture of all the girls from the dance team. Hazel stood there smiling too, her arms not hugging anyone, but at least standing between two girls. She seemed genuinely happy with her shining eyes that seemed green on the small picture and her signature high ponytail. She was wearing the white workout set and I was already kicking myself for having a game and not picking her up after practice.

“Hey,” she reached out towards me when I approached them and hooking her arm around my waist pulled me close.

“What’s up, baby?” I asked, hugging her shoulders from behind and allowing her to fully lean into me. Our bodies molded into one, even fully clothed and I crouched down to look at the screen.

“We were trying to find the guy Claire was dating before the ex-team member, Zoey, stole him from her,” she grinned, her eyes glimmering with satisfaction. Despite her years of hiding, this girl was hungry for drama. “But you know him, right? He and Zoey both have private accounts.”

“He is on the basketball team, but he turned his account private,” I nodded, and slipping my phone out from my back pocket, I unlocked it and handed it over. “His name is Evan Ross; he has a bunch of pictures with her. I follow them both, so enjoy.”

“Thanks,” she grinned at me and gave me a quick kiss. My body immediately signaled, wanting more, but I restrained myself and picked up a beer. I walked over to my teammates.

“Let me play one game,” I gestured towards the controller and Benin immediately handed it over.

“Man, those girls are hot,” he muttered in passing, making everyone stare at Hazel and Sarah. Both of them were wearing jeans, but while Sarah was dressed in some sparkly black ones with a white tube top, Hazel kept it simple with blue jeans and black cropped sweater. Barely any skin was peeking out from under her clothes, but it was enough to get every guy’s imagination going. She casually crossed her legs, her feet hidden in black flats moving to the rhythm of the music. “Shame they are seniors.”

“Yeah, shame,” I grinned at him and quickly winked at Hazel who glanced our way once she felt all eyes on her.

“Is this serious?” Elliot wiggled his brows in a suggesting move. “Otherwise, you would have moved on, right?”

I shrugged, turning my attention back to the TV. We didn’t call it anything yet, but it was deeper than anything I had before and we still didn’t have sex. It could have been my hormones wanting her so badly that I couldn’t see straight, hence my hesitance to label whatever was going on. Once we climbed to the top of the mountain and my hormones came down from his constant high and uncomfortable anticipation, I could confidently say what it is.

“No idea, that’s why I needed my best friend to be patient and not be a crybaby about me being busy,” I muttered half joking, half seriously.

Elliot shook his head. “I know, dude, but you are not yourself. This chick is making you crazy.”

That was true. She was making me crazy happy, which was strange. Who thought the ice queen exterior held a soft, funny and caring girl inside? Definitely not me. I was just as surprised when I dug deeper and was met with layers instead of concrete. I still couldn’t believe I was taking her home with me. We planned it for the weekend before Thanksgiving as Hazel was hesitant about going with me for the holiday as it would seem more serious. Like this she could come as a “friend” and talk to my sister without having to do the awkward introducing my girlfriend act, which I haven’t done since sophomore year of high school. Dating wasn’t my strength, but with Hazel it came naturally.

And it scared me.

“Sure,” I muttered ducking my head to hide the grin creeping onto my face. His words didn’t make me smile, nor my roaming thoughts, but the girl approaching the sofa did.

Hazel wore a cute half smile on her lips and played with my phone in her hand as she stopped next to me.

“Thanks for letting me stalk people.”

“Anytime, baby,” I winked as I kept playing with one hand, my eyes on my girl. “Want to try it?”

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