Page 79 of How to Score Off Field

Tess: I have a crazy idea.

It’s late,I know, but I’m not tired—not in the least. And I haven’t seen Drew’s face since he left and wouldn’t it be nice to talk, face-to-face.

Drew: What’s your crazy idea?

Tess: Want to video chat?

With bated breath, I wait for him to reply, not sure if he’s going to jump at the chance to see me in person.

I mean, is it weird that I…misshim?

Nah, I don’t miss him. That’s not what this is.

Is it?

Can’t be.

I’m totally not the type of girl who assigns physical intimacy asactualintimacy or thinks that having sex with a guy makes us closer. And I’m certainly not foolish enough to think Drew might feel connected to me because we screwed.

I see the three tiny dots from his phone as he replies.

Drew: …

Drew: Sure. Let’s do it.

“Eek!” I squeal because I cannot stop myself, kicking my feet and blankets at the foot of the bed, giddy that we’ll see one another for the first time in over a week.

“Oh shit.”

I scramble, leaping from the bed and going to the mirror above my desk, fussing with my hair and the collar of my tank top.

“Not the best but not the worst.”

The invitation to chat was spontaneous, so I’m not dressed for a cute video date. My fingers tuck the stray strands of hair behind my ear and pick up the gold hoop earrings on my desk.

I put them in, one by one.

My stomach flutters.

Knots up nervously.

The recognizable sound of my phone going off startles me. Even though I’m expecting it, I wasn’t expecting him to call me first.

I jump onto the bed, throw myself down, head on a pillow. Take a few deep breaths and hit Accept.

“Hi.” I sound as if I sprinted a mile or had to run from a wild animal.

“Hey there.” He raises a hand to wave, and I take note of everything: what he’s wearing, his hair, the palm of the hand he has lifted in greeting.

White tee shirt with a blue ringer collar.

His dark hair is swept off to the side as if he ran his hand through it moments earlier.

I remember how that hand felt on my body, calloused and rough.

I liked it…

“Don’t you look cute,” he says. “What were you up to just now?”

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