Page 29 of I Hear You

I watch the practice intently for the next half hour, following Henry as he runs around in small circles while the other players try to stop him from being able to throw the ball. He never once shows the same enthusiasm as the other guys on the team, and the despondent look never leaves his face. The coach blows his whistle several times in quick succession and the players all start making their way off the field. I think football may have just become my new favorite sport.

“Hey Taylor, I think it’s over,” I say, looking over at her.

She’s lying on her back, her book on her chest, fast asleep.

Chapter fourteen

Henderson

We’realmostontheedge of town now, and I have no idea where we’re going. Emmett texted me and said he needed my help with something. He picked me up twenty minutes ago. He won’t tell me where the hell we’re going or what we’re doing, even though I’ve asked. Multiple times. It doesn’t stop me from trying again.

“Dude. Where the fuck are we going?”

Silence.

“I swear, Emmett, if you’re taking me on some wild drug deal or some shit–you know I can’t get in trouble.”

“Fuck Henry, seriously. First, you know I don’t do drugs. Second, fuck you for thinking I would ever put you in a situation like that.”

I shut up. Not because I’m not still worried about whatever exploit we’re on, but because I know he’s telling the truth.

He finally pulls off the main road onto a dirt one and heads south. The road is bumpy and we’re creating a dust storm behind us because Emmett only knows how to drive one speed, fast. I have to hang onto my seat more than once before he finally slows down. Even though it’s pitch dark outside, I recognize where we are. Knowing where we are doesn’t give me a clue to what the hell we’re doing.

“Emmett, there’s nothing even out here except the water tower.”

He looks at me and grins. Shit.

He pulls right off the dirt road into the overgrown weeds and grass, parking the car a few yards from the water tower. Emmett shuts off the car, unbuckles his seatbelt, and gets out of the car without saying another word. I sigh and reluctantly follow him as he walks to the base of the water tower. When I finally catch up to him, he’s just standing there looking up at it, not talking.

The water tower has been here at the edge of town my entire life. I look up at the structure looming over us. It’s old, but the town spends the money to maintain it because it’s become such a fixture. It’s the first thing you see when you’re driving into town from the next biggest city.

“Let’s go,” Emmett says, and starts climbing the ladder.

“Are you serious right now?”

He pauses on the ladder and looks at me.

“We’ve been talking about climbing this behemoth since we were kids and still haven’t. Now start climbing.”

By the time I give up and follow him, he’s almost at the top. When I make it to the top myself, he’s sitting with his legs dangling over the edge, arms resting on the rail in front of him. I sit down next to him and do the same.

“Holy shit,” I whisper, taking in the view.

From where we’re sitting, you can see the entire town of Easton. There are dots of light everywhere. You can even see where the college is because it’s just a little brighter than everywhere else. We sit in silence for a long time, just staring out at the vast darkness in contrast to the town and its dancing lights.

I wonder in that moment which light is the light Madison is standing under. I wonder what she’s doing now and if she’s thinking about me. If she’s at work or if she’s in her dorm room studying. I actively try not to think of the possibility of her hanging out with another guy. Idothink of the possibility of her in the shower, standing under a hot stream of water and running soapy hands across her skin.

Fuck. I am so damn horny and this is not the time or place.

Emmett interrupts my thoughts.

“Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live somewhere else?” he asks, not looking at me, still just looking straight out into the night.

“Yeah, sometimes. I mean, I’m not even supposed to be living here right now, so I guess I’ve definitely thought about it.”

I have indeed thought about it. Sometimes it’s all I think about. How I’m not supposed to be in this town. How I’m supposed to be exploring a new place and a new life. Then I think about the fact that if I’d left the way I planned–I never would have noticed a beautiful girl with golden eyes crying in front of the bus stop.

“I don’t think I’ve experienced even a fraction of what life is supposed to be. I’ve never had a girlfriend. I’ve never lived anywhere but here. Hell, I’ve never even had a real job.”

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