Page 81 of Spring Tide

My smile widens. “Did you see me rooting for you in the student section?”

“Sadly, I couldn’t make you out in the crowd. It’s pretty hard to focus up there once the game gets going, but at least I knew you were there.”

“I’m gonna need to step up my game, then. Wear some face paint and bring a sign.”

“That’s definitely not overkill.”

“It’s not.” I swat at his bicep. “I loved watching you play, by the way. You must be so exhausted.”

“Yeah, I’m fucking beat.”

I thread our hands together, dragging him down the hallway behind me. “I could give you a massage tonight, check on your knee, and then maybe you can sleep in tomorrow?”

He sighs as we shuffle into his bedroom. “I have a double shift starting at 6:00 a.m.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah, I can’t afford to skip out on a Sunday.” He slumps down onto the edge of his bed, pulling me into the space beside him. “Now, more than ever, I need the extra money.”

My hand reaches up to cup his face. “I could help out if you wanted?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, my parents cover my tuition and board, so I just use lifeguarding as extra spending money. I’ve actually saved most of it from the summer, so I could help you out with whatever you need to give your parents.”

“Wait a minute, hold on.” He removes my hand from his cheek, bringing it back down to the mattress. “You’re offering to give me money?”

My brow crinkles. “I just thought—”

“Yeah, that’s not happening.”

“It’s not a big deal, really,” I plead, pressing one palm against his thigh in reassurance. “I promise.”

His hand covers mine. “Stop.”

My smile falls. “Luca—”

“Just stop, okay? You must see me as some big charity case.” He gulps low in his throat and turns away. “First the injury, now this.”

“Not at all.” I shake my head. “Look, I’m sorry I offered, but I—”

He stands abruptly, head turning toward the open doorway. “It’s getting pretty late, actually. I can take you home.”

“I just got here, Luca,” I huff, allowing the heated emotion to cloud my voice. “And I drove myself.”

“Right,” he says on a heavy sigh. There’s a stilted silence that follows, punctuated only by the heavy rise and fall of his chest.

It takes me a few moments to gather myself. My first inclination is to apologize and wrap my arms around him, but I’m not so sure I have anything to be sorry for. He can’t immediately shut me out and make me leave like he did before. We agreed on transparency since then. I may have touched on a hot subject, but this reaction is unfair.

“I just see how much pressure you put on yourself, and I wanted to help,” I say softly.

“No, I know.” He reclaims his seat beside me, rubbing his temples. “I shouldn’t shut you down like that, but we come from two very different worlds, Harper. And you should know that I’ll never take money from you. I don’t like owing a debt to anyone.”

“I’d never think of it like that.”

“It doesn’t really matter, but thank you for offering. I really do appreciate you being there for me.”

“Of course.” I tug at a strand of hair, self-conscious and hyperaware of the space I’m occupying in his bed now. “Do you still want me to leave?”

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