Page 47 of Her Second Chance

“Hannah?” Brock's voice is loud in my ear, but I turn my head, and he isn’t there. I shake my head. Now, I’m hallucinating.

Great.

Hunter gives me a sad look. “It’s such a shame.”

“What’s a shame?” I ask, but he’s already walking away. “Hunter? What’s a shame?” I holler to his back as he walks away.

“Shh,” the students from surrounding tables hiss.

I sit back down, feeling my cheeks heat. “Sorry,” I mutter.

What the hell was that?

Brock

I stare at Hannah, praying she’ll finally open her eyes. She’s right here, yet she doesn’t even register my presence. For a second, I thought she was coming around. I said her name and I swear she heard me. It felt like things were taking a turn. As soon as that feeling hit, it was gone.

I hate this. I’m living my dream. The dream I’ve had since I first picked up a football, and yet, without Hannah, everything feels empty.

My mother always teased me that I had a big heart and would fall completely head over heels in love when I met ‘The One’. I would scoff and roll my eyes. That was before I met Hannah. She’s like the sun. When she’s not shining on me, all that surrounds me is darkness. I’m afraid I’ll drown in that darkness forever if she refuses to come back to me.

Please, come back to me.

Chapter 24

Hannah

Grace and I get ready for the party, blasting our favorite songs and dancing around, sipping cheap wine straight from the bottle. Other than Brock, she’s the person I’ll miss most when I get back to my real life.

She smacks me on the ass, drawing me out of my daydream. “Where’d you go?”

I sigh. “I’m in love with Brock and can never have him.”

“Why not?”

I sigh. “Because I’m destined to wind up alone.”

She pulls me into a hug. “As long as I’m breathing, you’ll never be alone.”

I smile sadly, knowing she means it. “I’ve missed you.”

She rolls her eyes. “I know I’ve been spending a lot of time with Cory, but I always have time for my bestie.”

I swallow hard, feeling my tears sting my eyes. “I love you, Grace. You’re my favorite human.”

“Duh,” she teases, sticking out her tongue at me. “Even when you and Brock are married with loads of babies, I’ll still be your number one.”

I bump her hip with mine. “Always.” If I’m here to fix things with Grace and I wake up with her back in my life, all this mess will be worth it. I’ve missed my best friend.

By the time we get to the Sig Chi party, Grace and I have pregamed to the point that we’re both more than a little tipsy. I’m struggling to maneuver the crowd in my sky-high stilettos, wishing I’d opted for something more sensible.

I’m nearly to the keg when a tingle zips up my spine. I feel him before I see him. It’s as if my body has Brock-dar. I crane my neck, but even with my tall heels, I’m still dwarfed by the frat guys surrounding me.

Just when I second guess myself, deciding Brock isn’t really near, the crowd parts, and I see him talking to the nurse girl I’ve seen with Hunter around campus. Even tonight she wears those stupid scrubs. My stomach tightens when I see how serious his face looks. What is it about her that has Hunter, and now Brock, so enraptured by her?

She smiles softly before reaching over and squeezing his bicep.

My heart pounds against my ribs. Has he already replaced me?

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