Page 40 of Heart of Thorns

“Ready to make it official, then?” The corner of his perfect mouth lifts on one side.

Hesitation skips up my spine. I pull my shoulders back. “What does that mean?”

His coach calls his name. Thorne ignores it, but for some reason, it makesmenervous. I quickly stand and get closer to him. The only thing that is separating the two of us is the metal barrier used to keep the fans away from climbing onto the sideline.

“It means I’m going to make you mine, Briar.”

CHAPTER 14

THORNE

Coach roarsmy name from behind me, but I block it out. All I can focus on is Briar, and the cold metal railing under my hands, and the way she suddenly bites her lip like she’s fuckingshy.

She’s not shy.

Nervous, then?

“Put my number in your phone,” I tell her.

She nods slowly, still shocked at what I just declared.

I recite it when she’s done saving my contact info then hold out my hand. Not for her phone. Forher.

I’m completely aware that this is another test. Not just for her—to see if she’ll take it, another acceptance of my proposal—but for me.

Because what if my lack of aversion to her has so far been a fluke?

Then this whole thing will get even more…arduous.

But there’s no backing down. Not with Coach and my teammates probably all staring at me like I’m the world’s biggest asshole, or flake, or whatever shit they’ll start to murmur when they think I can’t hear. Or they’ll just say it to my face.

There has to be a reason she came to my practice. A game—wearing the other team’s jersey, no less—is one thing. This ispractice. The girls who come and watch, giggling like mad or cheering at every throw, drive me nuts.

And yet, Briar sitting here has me confused.

She’s not a jersey chaser.

She’s not swooning over me—although, honestly? I kind of wish she would. Just once.

After her abrupt departure from the library, I had a calm few days. Okay, that’s a lie. They were boring. Eye-wateringly dull. But notcalm. Because all I could think was what I’ll eventually have to say to my parents when my truth comes out.

If Briar says no, that truth will reveal itself sooner rather than later.

My mother called, and I dodged questions about it. I cut my call with Dad short, claiming a meeting with a professor.

So many lies.

And now… she said yes.

She takes my hand.

Her palm slides across mine, her fingers curling. Gripping. Squeezing. My heart damn near lurches. Her skin is warm and dry, at odds with the chilled wind buffeting at me.

Not a single part of me wants to release her hand.

I tug her to her feet, fast enough to surprise her, and reel her in. Until we’re face-to-face.

Up close, I can make out every single freckle smattered across her cheeks and nose. Her warm brown eyes bore into mine, widening just a smidge.

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