Page 70 of Something to Believe In

Sitting down on her bed, I pick at my fingernail as I ask her the question that’s been on my mind since school went back the day after my operation. “How are things going at school? You haven’t, um, said anything, you know, about…uh, about Sarah and Caley?”

Hannah pulls a face. “They’ve pretty much been staying out of my way.” She shrugs as she stands up and comes to stand in front of me, running her hands through my hair. “You know they were there…at the game I mean.”

I raise my eyebrows. This is news to me. “Did they say something?”

Hannah shakes her head. “Ash and I saw them.” She taps her pen against the desk. “Tiana messaged me to ask how you were.”

“That was nice of her.”

“Yeah it was.” She leans down to press her lips against mine. “Are you worried about going back to school on Monday?”

I rub the back of my neck. I have one class with Joel so it’s inevitable that I’ll run into him, but it won’t do me any good to retaliate.

Macca dropped by four days after my surgery to let me know Joel was suspended for three matches for unsportsmanlike conduct and dangerous tackle. His chances of making an AFL team now are pretty much out the window. None of it matters to me, though. I’m just focused on my recovery and doing what I can to keep my chances alive. My blood boils at the fact I still have at least six weeks to go until I can start training and probably another three weeks after that before I could play. In my draft year, that could be the difference between getting picked up by a club or not.

I look up at Hannah, forcing a smile. “It’ll be fine. I don’t plan on getting in his way.”

She groans. “This year sucks.”

I stand up, wrapping my good arm around her waist and pulling her closer. “Not everything sucks.”

“No,” she agrees, chewing on her bottom lip. “Not everything.” Her touch sends sparks through my body as she runs her hand up and down my arm.

I shiver, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “You’re the best thing that’s happened to me this year,” I murmur, brushing my lips across hers.

“Oli?” Hannah’s voice is barely a whisper against my lips.

“Mmm?”

She grins. “I need to get my homework done.”

I laugh and kiss the tip of her nose before heading for the door. “I better leave then,” I wink at her. “You’re too distracting. I’ll see you later.”

I hear the quiet thud of something light being thrown at her bedroom door as I walk down the hallway.God, I really love this girl.

∞

Jake’s sprawled on the couch with a beer in his hand when I get home from Hannah’s. There’s left over pizza on the coffee table. I help myself to a slice as I drop down next to him.

“How’s Hannah?” Jake smirks, looking over from the television.

“Fine,” I answer, punching him on the shoulder.

“Ouch!” He shakes his head, rubbing his arm. “I don’t know how she puts up with you.”

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes. I bite into the cold pizza and turn my focus to the football match playing on the television. “Who’s winning?”

“Saints are up by 22 points.”

“Sweet.”

Jake takes a mouthful of his beer before asking me, “How are you feeling about going back to school tomorrow?”

“Fine,” I say. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

He shrugs. “Just thought you might be feeling a bit pissed at Joel.”

I sigh, rubbing my shoulder. “It is what it is. I can’t change it now, and if I do anything to Joel in retaliation, then I’m just as bad as he is.”

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