Page 32 of For Three Seconds

“She shouldn’t have interrupted me,” I said flatly.

“You’ve always been cold, Gav, but never cruel.” He said it like he was disappointed in me.

He was right. My head was messed up right now.

“Who is she to you?” he asked.

“Leave it,” I told him and walked away.

“Oh no, my man, you don’t get to say that shit. Look, I get it—you don’t like to talk about your life. I know your parents are cool; they show up to your games. You have friends, and you’re a solid guy. Man, I’ve watched you fuck your way through freshman and sophomore year. Then last year something changed. That girl, you looked at her like you were ready to consume her. I know you tapped Gigi in high school because that jersey chaser will brag to anyone who hears how she had you pussy-whipped and you ignored her.”

I interrupted him. “Are you done recapping my life?”

I knew my sins better than anyone. There had been a hole inside me that no amount of pussy had sated, a pain no amount of alcohol could make me forget. Except now. The moment I laid eyes on Scar again. All that pain went away.

“Look, man, all I’m saying is this is your chance to make it. Don’t blow it.”

“I won’t,” I vowed.

Ollie didn’t know it, but things had finally aligned this year, and I wouldn’t fail. Not this time.

Twelve

What werethe odds that I got a class with Mr. Football God?

The number had to be slim, but karma was like, “Congrats, you’re the lucky winner. Strap on, bitch, and prepare for a ride.”

So, karma probably didn’t say that, but she thought it.

The first week had passed by, and so far, it seemed like sociology was the only class Gavin and I had together. Having no friends didn’t bother me. If I’d learned anything these past years, it was that being alone didn’t bother me; I didn’t fear my own company. My demons were ones I hadn’t conquered yet, but they were familiar and came with enough baggage that suffocated me, keeping me entertained.

I was sitting outside on one of the benches when I felt someone sit in front of me. I tensed because I knew it wasn’t any of my roommates. We had zero classes together since they had different majors. I slowly brought my head up, praying to God it wasn’t Gav.

“Fuck, Nick, you scared me.” I jumped in my seat.

My brother grinned at me and reached to steal one of my fries.

“How are you?”

I gave him an “are you for real” look. He had the decency to look sheepish.

“I’m fine, Nick. I made an appointment.”

I was diagnosed with depression a little bit after prom. The doctors gave my anger, my sadness, and my loneliness a name other than grieving. Nick put me in a facility where I’d had to stay for a month because he was scared. I’d tried to drown myself. It was something we never spoke of; it was like a dirty secret between us. I didn’t want to bring it up, and I think he was scared of what he would find out.

“You look good, sis.”

“Thanks. How do you like your job?”

“Love it,” he said, then paused as if he was looking for the right words. “You and Dunn looked tense. I know you feel like he ratted you out, but you guys were like best friends.”

Um, no.

“He’s Gigi’s. He was never my friend,” I told my brother.

“They broke up,” Nick said as he took another fry.

I mean, I knew there was a slim possibility of them still being together, but hearing my brother confirm he that wasn’t hers anymore, well, I felt a flutter.

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