Page 62 of Why We Break

Both my friends nod at that, before Margaret adds, “You know, I never expected to have people I could call for help, especially this soon after moving to Springside. I’m just really grateful for the both of you.”

“Same,” I say with a smile, holding up my glass to bump it with theirs before taking another tequila-filled sip.

Caroline opens her mouth to say something, but as she does, I feel my phone vibrate with a message. I pull it out while she and Margaret talk, seeing Will’s name on the screen.

WILL: I know you’re out with the girls right now but please tell me I can see you tonight.

WILL: This week’s gonna be wild with the championship, and I’m not gonna last if I don’t get inside you at least once before the weekend.

I feel my face flush at his words before Caroline gives me a questioning glare. “You good, Han? Who is that?”

“Oh, I’m fine,” I say quickly, clicking my screen off before looking up at her.

I can see the suspicion on her face, but I ignore it until Margaret asks, “So, I know it’s been a few months, but did anything ever happen with Kent? Like, do the two of you still talk?”

Her words catch me off guard, having not thought about Will’s assistant coach in weeks, but I just shake my head. “Nah, he’s a really nice guy, but I don’t think he’s my type.”

Margaret nods in understanding, just as our waitress brings our food to the table. With Margaret and Caroline distracted, I pull out my phone and send a quick text before turning back to my friends.

HANNAH: Sure, come over around 9. See you then. :)

After almost twohours of chatting with my friends, we finally start to make our way to the parking lot, and I try to hide my excitement at the fact that I’m about to get to see Will.It’s just sex. Nothing more,I remind myself. You’re just excited to see him, but it can’t be more than just sex. Feelings or no feelings, this is all you get.

“Does my brother not get tired of sitting out here in his truck every week?” Margaret asks, shaking her head as Caroline smiles, bringing me back to the present as we walk up to Theo’s truck where he’s waiting to take Caroline home.

“I’ve told him I never drink enough to not be able to drive, and even if I did, I could just walk to your apartment and stay with you, but you know how he is,” she says with a laugh. “We all know he’s a bit of a caveman when he thinks my safety might be in danger,” she adds, rolling her eyes at her fiancé’s overprotective nature.

“I think it’s sweet. I mean I’m perfectly capable of driving home, don’t get me wrong, but I think it’d be nice to have someone who cares that much about me,” I admit, before noticing Caroline and Margaret’s shocked expression.

“What?” I ask, caught off guard by their reactions.

“I just don’t think I’ve ever heard you say anything that made me think you wanted a man,” Caroline says hesitantly, and Margaret nods in agreement.

I open my mouth to tell her she’s being ridiculous before thinking about what she’s saying and realizing she’s right.

Feeling uncomfortable, I shrug them off, before saying, “Anyway, I’ll see you both later this week I’m sure?”

“Yep, I’ll be at the game Friday if I don’t see you before,” Margaret says, pulling me into a hug.

“And I’ll see you tomorrow,” Caroline says, still looking at me with suspicion as if she’s waiting for me to say something else.

“Sounds good. Good night, girlies,” I say, turning to get into my car and closing my door. Before I pull out of the parking lot, I reach into my pocket for my phone to send off a quick text to Will.

HANNAH: I’m leaving town now if you still want to come over.

I switch over to Spotify, clicking on my favorite 90s country playlist and setting it to random when my phone pings with his response.

WILL: Give me about fifteen minutes or so and I’ll head that way. Are you good to drive or do you need me to pick you up and bring you back to your car before school tomorrow?

I feel a wave of emotion roll through me at his text, but I try to tamp it down. I know he’s just being nice, but God, sometimes it feels like the man can read my mind. But there’s no reason for me to take him up on his offer, and leaving my car up here overnight raises the possibility of someone seeing us together when he drops me off. I type out a quick reply, singing along to the music as I remind myself about the rules of Will and I’s agreement.

HANNAH: I just had the one drink, and that was a couple hours ago now. I’m good. I’ll see you in a few.

As soon as I press send, I throw my phone down and make the drive home. The closer I get to Falling Oaks, the more the butterflies in my stomach multiply at the knowledge that Will’s on his way. As I pull in the driveway, I try to push the thoughts from my brain, smiling as Leroy and Ruby both run to greet me.

“You two are so silly,” I tease, leaning down to pat them both on the head. “I guess we’re just done with the whole pen idea, huh?”

They both wag their tails at me excitedly, and I just shrug, making my way up the steps and opening the door to let them follow me inside. They immediately run over to their new favorite spot in front of the fireplace. Cozying up together, they both collapse, and before I can take my thick coat off, I can hear the sounds of them snoring softly.

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