Page 27 of Forbidden

Disappointment floods my system. “That would have been great, but I’m going to my sister’s house right after the meet. She’s getting married in early March and it’s the first suit fitting for the groomsmen tonight.”

Dinner with Joy would have been a dream. There are so many places I’d love to take her in the City. Not a date, of course. I’d take a date with Joy in a heartbeat, but she’s made it damn clear she’s not looking for anything like that this year.

“Oh. No worries,” she says with a shrug. “It would have had to have been quick anyway, I have a gig tonight.”

“A gig?”

She smiles in the way I’m starting to realize she does when anything music related is involved. It’s like something lights her up from the inside.

“Yeah. One of the professors from my music production course set it up for me. It’s like an assignment, I guess.”

“Wow. That’s awesome. Are you nervous?”

She shrugs. “More excited than nervous. Besides, the meet will burn off most of my nervous energy. Luckily, I’m the warm-up act for the main DJ, so my set will be done by ten.”

A fresh wave of disappointment hits me. “It’s great you won’t be up late, but I’m gutted I can’t come watch you.”

“I’d probably be more nervous with you there,” she admits with a small smile. “It’s going to be a whole different experience performing in front of a crowd of strangers.”

I knock her leg with mine. “You’ll be amazing.”

“Thanks.”

The bus slows and I clap my hands together as I realize we’re reaching the third and final rest stop. Joy’s soft laughter pulls my attention from the window.

“You’re really weird, you know that right?”

I grin. “Oh, I know.”

We file off the bus, stretching and chatting as people saunter off to relieve themselves or buy snacks. It might be the final stop, but there are still two and half hours to go.

While others head straight to the toilets, I head into the store. I rarely buy anything, but I love looking at the rows upon rows of E-number infused confectionery. It makes me feel like a little kid again. I’m crouched down poking through some tiny packets of candy that look as though they’ve been imported from China, when I hear Coach Masters’ voice.

“Hey.”

For a second, I think he’s talking to me, he’s so close. But there’s something about the softness to the word that makes me realize even before I look up, that I’m wrong.

“Hey yourself.”

I freeze at the sound of Joy’s voice. I’m the only one on the aisle, which means they must be right on the other side.Shit.I know I should stand up, or cough, or something, to let them know that I’m here, but somehow it already feels too late.

“Did you have a nice Thanksgiving?” he asks.

Joy snorts softly. “What do you think?”

“Your folks haven’t mellowed, then?”

“If anything, they’re worse.”

Coach sucks air through his teeth. “I’m sorry.”

“You seem to be saying that a lot.”

“Joy . . .”

Okay. I really need to let them know I’m here. This is turning into the most intense squat of my life.

“I forgive you,” she says, the words coming out in a rush.

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