Page 51 of Sticking Around

Tania stretches her arms out. “I have a date with my bed. I plan to sleep for a whole week.”

I groan with envy. “That sounds absolutely divine,” I tell her, even though that’s not in my near future.

Trevor hikes up his backpack. “You guys want to grab a beer first? Chill out for a bit?”

I hate to blow them off. I’ve barely seen them the last two weeks, but the thoughts of alone time with Brady is just what the doctor ordered to soothe my stomach and headache—well if I went to a doctor—which I didn’t. “Can’t. I have plans.”

I stand and pack up my laptop. “Oh, do those plans involve Coddy?” Tania teases.

I lift my chin an inch and grin at her. “As a matter of fact, they do.”

The three of us walk out of the classroom. “And might those plans involve a week in bed…but no sleeping?” she teases.

While that too sounds divine, I shake my head. “No, and I’m not sure what the plans are.” I wince against the late afternoon sun as we exit the building, and my heart misses a beat when I find Brady leaning against his car waiting for me. I take a moment to admire the long length of him, the way his T-shirt stretches across tight chest muscles and how his shorts showcase strong legs and a trim waist. I wave and he pulls himself up to his full height and as he starts my way I run my palms over my mess of hair. “He’s been helping me study all week, and wants to do something to celebrate, I just don’t know what.”

“Oh, wow, it’s serious then?” Trev asks.

I give a fast shake of my head. “No, not at all.”

They both look at me like they might know something I don’t. “He helped you study all week…” Tania begins.

“…And now he’s planning a surprise to celebrate,” Trev finishes.

I give a curt nod, understanding how that could look to them. “Right.”

Tania nudges me as Brady approaches, a big smile on his face and a fine shiver goes through me the way it always does when I’m the sole focus of his attention.

Trev leans in and whispers, “If that’s not serious, then I don’t know what is.”

17

Brady

“How was it?” I ask, and lean in to kiss Melanie on her pale cheek, desperately needing the connection. Christ, what is wrong with me? I’ve only been away from her for a few hours. What the hell is going to happen when I’m on the road?

When our time together is over?

She stiffens a bit, a little uneasy chuckle catching in her throat. Is she embarrassed at the public display of affection? Does she not want people to know she’s been sleeping with Coddy, the asshole with the reputation? I inch back, working to ignore the tightness in my chest as I take her backpack and shoulder it. Once again, embarrassment floods her face. Yeah, I get it, she’s a girl who does everything on her own—a girl who is afraid to let anyone too close because it might end in hurt and betrayal—but she doesn’t have to be tough around me. I want to help her and don’t expect gratitude or anything in return, other than her happiness.

When you help your family, dude, you don’t even get happiness from them. All you get is them wanting more and more and the only time they worry about you or your career is when it might affect their needs.

She folds her hands like she’s not sure what to do with them and answers. “Not too bad. There were only a couple of questions I had trouble with, but I think I did good.” Her eyes brighten, but beneath the shine, it’s easy to see that she’s worn out. She exhales and lifts her face to the sun, a hint of relief on her face. She’s been working hard, and I want her to have some much-needed downtime before her next semester starts.

Her gaze flies back to mine and she shakes her head. “Where are my manners? I must be more worn out than I realize. Brady, this is Tania and Trevor. My small study group.” Her brows scrunch together. “Although we haven’t done much of it lately with me living in Sparrow Springs.”

Students file out of the campus building and many slow to gawk at me as they pass, no doubt wondering if I really am Brady Fisher. I pull my hat down lower, not wanting to ignore them, but I’m interested in meeting Melanie’s friends—or rather, not friends.

“We didn’t know you moved,” Tania says, not taking her eyes off me.

"Oh, just temporary. I have a place lined up for November.”

She does, and the thoughts of her not staying with me leaves a hollow feeling in my gut.

I extend my arm to Tania and she greedily accepts my hand, shaking it enthusiastically as she steps closer. “Would it be weird if I asked for your autograph? I’m a big fan,” she says.

“Not weird at all.”

As she digs into her backpack for a pen and paper, I turn to Trevor and shake his hand. He sort of looks starstruck too. “Next game, why don’t you guys sit in the box with Melanie?” Melanie’s eyes go wide, because this is the first time she’s hearing of the box—the first time I’ve invited her to a game. She’d gone a few times with Brighton in the past, but this time…maybe she’s shocked because I asked.

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