Page 111 of The Surprise Play
“Okay, fine.” I can see her eyes rolling as she lets out an exaggerated groan. “Look, Mom and Dad would probably say yes, end this before it really starts, focus on the grand prize you’ve been working toward, but…” She huffs. “Screw that, you know? I say live in the moment. Enjoy her company, see where it leads. Hang out, make out, have sex, don’t have sex. Just go with the flow and see what unfolds.”
My lips twitch, loving the idea of doing just that. So much of my life has been this big push for football. It’s like I’ve been on a one-way train without getting off at any of the stops.
Maybe Satch is my stop before the big leagues.
Maybe she’s just what I need to get me to graduation, and then…
Who knows?
Maybe she’ll be over me by then.
Maybe we’ll just naturally part ways.
Or maybe she’ll be my long-distance girl, and we’ll figure out a way to make it work.
I mull that over while Blake starts telling me she’s gotta go.
“Wait, wait, wait.” I pull into a parking spot outside the library. “I called to check on you, and we’ve spent the whole time talking about me.”
“But isn’t everything always about you?” she says sweetly.
“Hardy-har-har.” I deadpan. “Come on. What’s up with you at the moment? How’s college life treating my little freshman sister?”
She clears her throat. “It’s fine. It’s study and classes and work and?—”
“Parties?” I groan. “You’re not getting drunk every weekend, are you?”
“No.” She laughs. “Please. You know me. I’m the good girl, remember? I’m Mommy and Daddy’s little angel.”
“Yeah, right,” I tease, although that’s kind of accurate. She’s been that way since the day she was born. Always doing the right thing, being the smartest girl in the room, and getting all the accolades.
“But I really gots to go, bro.”
“Okay, but just one last thing…”
“What?”
“Are you happy?” I don’t know what compels me to ask that, but I need to know that my lil’ sis is doing okay.
She takes too long to answer, and I start to worry until she lets out a laugh. “Of course I am. I’m always happy.”
And then she’s gone.
Without even a goodbye, that cheeky little shit hangs up on me.
I gape at my phone for a second before texting her.
Me: Did you just hang up on me?
She replies a beat later with a laughing emoji and then the middle finger, then a quick text.
Butt Face: I told you I had to go. It’s not my fault you talk too much.
Me: You’re such a pain in the ass.
Butt Face: Love you too, shithead. Now leave me alone so I can get on with my day, loser.
I laugh and send back a string of GIFs before grabbing my bag and shouldering my door open.
