Page 11 of Her Second Chance

“Oh, right. Hannah.”

He turns back to his friends, who look at me like I’m an alien. I don’t remember it being so hard to get to know him in the past. It’s like this version of Jason plays much harder to get. I hope that means it will be so much sweeter when we finally get back together.

Grace steps into the circle to save me from crashing and burning. She starts talking to the other guys, edging Jason out with her body. She really is the best wing woman.

“I’m going to get a beer,” I whisper to him. “You wanna come?”

He chugs the last of what’s in his cup. “Sure.”

Looks like we are back on track. I turn toward the keg without glancing over my shoulder. If memory serves me correctly, my ass was his favorite thing about me, and I don’t want to hinder his view.

Jason steps behind me at the keg, taking the cup from my hand to fill it for me. His chest brushes against my back. Our closeness makes me smile before worry tugs at the corners of my mouth. The old spark I remember feels more like a flicker. Something is off. It’s like my body doesn’t recognize him the way my mind does.

Weird.

I frown. Something’s wrong, but what is it?

He tilts his head to the side, scrutinizing me. “Is everything okay?”

“Huh?” I blink several times. “Oh, yeah. Sorry. I was thinking about one of my classes.”

He raises an eyebrow, not believing me for a second. “At a party?”

I inwardly groan. What the hell is wrong with me? I’m thirty-one years old, for fuck’s sake. I should be able to talk to this guy who I know falls in love with me easier than this. When did I become such an anxious mess? Why couldn’t I come back and embrace the carefree attitudes of my youth?

He hands me my beer, saving me from having to come up with something else to cover for my distraction. I’m drained, and the night is only beginning. How in the hell will I pull off this redo?

“Thanks.” I take the cup, chugging the amber liquid, hoping for some courage. I pass the cup back for him to refill.

By the time we walk back out to where Grace talks with his friends, a light buzz has spread throughout me, and I’m feeling good. I forgot I wasn’t a big drinker at eighteen. Apparently, adult Hannah’s tolerance level didn’t travel to the past with me. Yet another thing I’ll have to get used to if I want this mission to be a success. Being young again is exhausting.

As the party wears on, Jason and I get into a groove with our conversation. He’s more and more receptive to my flirting. When I’m sure history is about to repeat itself, I signal to Grace it’s time for her to sneak off as we planned and leave me to get a ride home from him.

“Can I get a ride home?” I bat my eyelashes so hard I damn near pull a muscle in my eyelid.

His eyes dart to the side. “I would, but I rode with my roommate, and his car is tiny.”

“Okay, then, will you walk me back to the dorms?” I cringe at the desperate sound of my voice. Why is he so aloof all the time?

He rubs the back of his neck, still not making eye contact with me. “I would, but I think he’s pretty wasted, so I’ll probably have to drive him home. If you’re not tired, we could meet up at the dorms in half an hour.”

I cock my head to the side. I definitely don’t remember things happening this way before. From what I remember, though my memories are fuzzy, Jason and I were the fairy tale couple right from the start. Maybe this is a test since I didn’t appreciate him enough the last time.

Yeah. That has to be it.

I look to my right and wave, pretending to spot someone I know. “I see one of my sorority sisters over there so, sure. That sounds good. I’ll see you at the dorms. Which one are you in?” I ask, as if I don’t already know.

“I’m in Wilham.” His tone tells me he thinks I already know that information.

“I’m in Drummond, but I can meet you in your lobby.”

“Cool. I’ll see you in a bit.”

I walk away before I have any second thoughts. The Jason I remember was always so attentive and loving, but this Jason is nothing like that. The weird thing is all the events seem to be the same. Well, except for meeting Brock. I never became friends with him in the past. I knew he was fraternity brothers with Hunter, and we were at the same events from time to time, but by the time I was introduced to him, he was the star quarterback and always surrounded by throngs of women. I don’t think I ever made it onto his radar, despite him being on mine.

On the way home, I walk in the shadows in case Jason drives past. I don’t want him to see me walking alone like a loser. That wouldn’t earn me any points with him. I can’t believe he didn’t give me a ride or offer to walk me home. Brock walked me to the dorms in broad daylight because he wanted me to arrive home safely. It’s almost 2:00 in the morning, definitely not safe for a young girl to be walking alone. I roll my eyes. Adult, city-girl Hannah is such a buzz kill. She worries way too much. But still, those are valid points of concern.

Deep voices from across the street get my attention. I look up in time to see Hunter and some of his frat bros walking down the sidewalk. I jump behind a bush to keep them from spotting me. I’m not supposed to meet him yet and I don’t want to screw up this timeline. If I’m here to make things work with Jason, I definitely don’t need the complication of Hunter. Plus, I’m still pissed off at future Hunter. He’s so cold and aloof. It’s like he never loved me. His behavior when he dumped me felt clinical. How did I ever think he was a good choice?

---