Page 19 of Her Second Chance

I laugh. “Honey, I’m more his type than anyone else here. You may think you have a chance, but I have it on good authority Jason and I end up together.”

She looks me up and down, taking in my preppy appearance. “He likes girls with substance, not sorority girls with zero going on up here.” She taps the side of her head, emphasizing she thinks I’m stupid.

“Being the poster child for second hand clothing doesn’t make you interesting. In your quest to stand out, you’re actually super boring.”

I push past her, trying not to cringe at how nasty I was to that girl, who is literally that, just a girl. As a grown woman, I should know better than to insult another woman out of petty jealousy. Still, she’s not getting in the way of my perfect future.

No one is.

Brock

On the drive home after my morning workout, my thoughts stray from football to Hannah. Being able to see her, be near her, but her not seeing me is hard to keep doing with an optimistic smile. Some days I feel like I’m getting through to her, where others she’s even further out of reach. Why won’t she open her eyes?

Whenever I see Hannah, it’s like the light has been switched on. Then I remember she’s not with me and everything darkens again. From the very first time I glimpsed her in front of her sorority house, I was drawn to her. She is light. And that light, it’s a bomb, overtaking everything she’s near. My world is dim without her. I’ll do everything in my power to get her to shine her light for me once more.

Please God, I need this miracle.

Chapter 7

Hannah

Despite all the confusion reliving my past is causing, nothing beats game days. Nothing. The tailgating, the excitement, the orange and black, and just the fun times with friends make being back here for Brock’s first game worth the angst of trying to get my life back on track.

My throat is raw from cheering so hard. I remembered this come from behind win, but still managed to get swept up in all the excitement. Even knowing Brock would get to play this game, I didn’t realize this was what set him on his path to stardom. This time when our quarterback gets injured and Brock takes the field, my heart races with nerves and anticipation. Being friends with the soon to be star makes this so much more fun to watch. I feel like I’m a part of the team. The icing on the cake is when he pulls off his helmet after the game and his face is highlighted on the jumbotron. That smile sets my soul on fire.

“Wasn’t that great?” I grab Jason’s arm, jumping up and down. “I bet Brock is so excited.”

He chuckles at my over the top celebration. “It was pretty exciting. I didn’t think we were going to win.”

“I told you we’d win.” I stick my tongue out at him.

“You called it.”

I smile. “I seem to remember calling something else too. You in love with me yet?” I tease.

“The jury’s still out on that one.”

I bump his hip with mine. “Let me know when the verdict is in.”

“Do you want to go to the party with me tonight?” he asks, shifting the conversation away from our future to the present.

I look at the line forming to wait for the guys after the game. “Can I meet you there? I need to shower and change, but I want to congratulate Brock first.”

“Go hug your boyfriend, and maybe I’ll see you there.”

I giggle, thinking he’s teasing. The laughter dies in my throat when I see his expression. “Don’t be like that. Brock is my friend. I’m excited for him.” When did he get so possessive? I don’t like this side of him one bit.

He shrugs. “Whatever.”

“Jason, don’t be like that. I’m not his type.” I don’t say he’s not mine because, more and more, I’m afraid he might be exactly my type. In fact, since I’ve been back here, Brock is the guy giving me pitter patters, not the one standing in front of me acting like a green-eyed monster.

“Well, you aren’t exactly mine, either.” His tone is flat and his look pointed.

I bristle. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

His face softens some when he realizes he hurt my feelings in saying that. “It means you have a way of attracting guys who wouldn’t normally be into you. It’s a compliment.”

I squint, trying to interpret what he’s not saying. “I don’t have to stay.”

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