Page 5 of The Wrong Quarterback

Rolling to a stop, I watched a group of girls cross the street in front of me. I didn’t even need to see Greek letters to know they were sorority girls. I’d read that rush week was during move-in, and judging by their matching high ponytails, shirts, and red lipstick—it was in full swing. I wondered if I would have had enough courage to do something like that if that night hadn’t happened.

But then again, I never would have been here in the first place, right?

My phone buzzed, and I glanced at it, a smile crossing my lips when I saw it was from him. Gray.

Gray: Almost here?

Butterflies sparked to life inside me, and my hands started to sweat. This was it. I was about to see him again.

I hadn’t seen him since he left for school, despite everything he’d said that night by the lake. I’d replayed that night over and over in my head, especially the kiss. But it had been two years since he’d been home, and although he’d invited me several times to come visit him, Mama had barely let me leave the house to go to school, much less to go visit a university hours away. He’d told me it was too painful to come home, but he’d texted me here and there.

I’d lived for those texts.

Gray was like a lifeline when things got too lonely. I’d changed after everything that had happened, and it felt like he was the only one who could understand.

Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself this was a fresh start. I didn’t need to think about the past. It was time for once to focus on the future.

The campus was bigger than I remembered from the tour we’d gone on with Ben. Neyland Stadium rose up in the distance, hovering over all the buildings like it wanted to remind them who was really in charge. The trees along the main quad were just starting to change color, a hint of gold creeping into the green leaves. Sidewalks wound through the grassy areas where students sat or played frisbee, some sprawled out in the shade of massive oaks.

Pulling up to the curb, I turned off the car and sat there for a moment, soaking it all in, trying to make sure I was calm enough to actually see Gray without doing something like flinging myself into his arms…or fainting.

I typed out,I’m here and then hesitated, my finger hovering over the send button as I glanced into the rearview mirror, making sure I looked okay.

This was as good as I was going to get, I guess.

I’d lost weight in my grief. When food tasted like ash on your tongue, it wasn’t hard to do. The gauntness in my cheeks made me look older, and my weird gray eyes hadn’t stopped looking haunted. But maybe Gray would think I looked old enough now. Maybe he would be ready to stop waiting for me to grow up and just beready.

A girl could dream.

I finally pressed send, my nerves twisting in my stomach.

A few minutes passed, and nothing. My nerves twisted tighter, not releasing until a familiar ping of a message made my heart skip.

Gray: Almost there.

A minute later, I spotted him. He was walking toward my car with a group of guys, laughing at something, his head thrown back, carefree. He looked…different. Not drastically, but there was something in the way he carried himself. Like he’d become more confident. His blond hair was longer than I remembered; brushing just above his collar. His tan was darker, and the way his muscles filled out his shirt made it clear he’d spent a lot of time in the gym. He was wearing a polo shirt and boat shoes—a look Ben would have mocked him endlessly for. He looked every bit the preppy college guy. But not really like my Gray.

He’s not “your Gray,” creeper,I reminded myself.

My heart was trying to beat out of my chest as I watched him get closer. He hadn’t seen me yet, he was too busy laughing with his friends. I was jealous of him for a moment, that he’d been able to escape the miserable memories that now came with our hometown, while I’d been caged within.

I was hoping that college could have that effect on me, too, because I could hardly remember what laughing felt like anymore.

I got out of the car, too nervous to stay there and watch him. Gray finally glanced around and spotted me.

And his eyes moved right past.

“Gray,” I called out, wondering how he’d missed me.

He stopped dead, his eyes snapping to mine, widening in shock. “Casey?”

I waved awkwardly, and he grinned, breaking away from his group and jogging over to where I was standing. The butterflies in my stomach kicked up.

Before I could say anything, he pulled me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me tightly. It felt good—familiar, comforting.

He pulled back, not letting go completely. His eyes roamed over me, taking his time like he was seeing me for the first time. He traced my body slowly, his gaze getting caught on my chest before he finally made it back to my face. I shifted uncomfortably, kind of feeling like a piece of meat as he took me in.

“Wow,” he finally said, stepping back just a little but still keeping me close. “You look…different.”

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