Page 46 of Her Second Chance

Throwing a hail Mary and hoping he’s not some sort of deranged rapist, I pretend to pass out drunk. I force my body to go limp, allowing my arms to fall to the side of the bed. I focus on breathing in a slow and steady rhythm.

Jason notices right away and pulls back, hovering over me. "Hannah, are you okay?" His voice is filled with concern. “Hannah, wake up.” The urgency in his words is unsettling. “Shit! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to!”

I keep my eyes closed and say nothing. I focus on my slow, even breath. Inhale. One. Two. Three. Exhale. One. Two. Three. Repeat.

He shifts on the bed, getting up and moving away from me. He covers me with my comforter as I pretend to sleep on. Praying he doesn't spend the night, I focus on my breathing.

My body stays tense until I hear the door close behind him. I open my eyes and sit up in bed, a sense of relief washing over me. Except there’s something that nags at me. I replay his words. Why is he so sorry? What did he not mean to do? There’s something there at the edge of my mind.

What is it?

Chapter 23

Hannah

In the days since I pretended to pass out while Jason was over, we’ve established a weird sense of co-orbiting. We acknowledge each other and are cordial, but we don’t spend time alone together. He’s just sort of there, always lurking. I wish he’d move on already.

I’m tired of being here, trapped in my eighteen-year-old body. I’ve grown restless of being stuck in my past and I’m ready to go back to my life. As shitty as it was, it was mine. Why I was sent here remains a mystery. Other than getting close to Grace again, nothing good has come from being back here. Hell, I’m more heartbroken than I was when Hunter broke off our engagement.

Not wanting to spend another lunch with Jason lurking a few tables away, I go to the library after my art history class. Completely absorbed in my thoughts, I don’t see Hunter until he’s standing in front of the table where I’ve set up my study session.

“Is this seat taken?” he asks.

I jerk my head up. “Yep.”

He gives me his biggest smile as he pulls out the chair across from me, ignoring my lack of interest. Was he always this pushy?

“You’re Hannah, right?”

“Yep.”

“I’m Hunter.” He’s undeterred by my lack of manners.

“Cool.”

“Are you going to the Sig Chi mixer tomorrow night?”

I shrug.

He leans forward. “You should go. It’s going to be the best party on Greek Row.”

“Maybe,” I say noncommittally. It’s a bye week, so Brock should be there. Maybe I can talk to him since he’s been avoiding both me and my calls. If I could just get the chance, I know I could help him see we’re better off as friends. Maybe that’s the last thing I need to do before I get sent back to my actual time.

“You look like you’re thinking awfully hard about my invitation.”

“You’re friends with Brock, right?”

He groans. “Tell me you’re not one of his groupies. The dude’s a good quarterback, but he’s kind of a dud.”

“He’s my friend.”

Hunter snorts. “You don’t have much time left.”

“What?”

“Time is running out. A decision has to be made.” He stands.

I lean over the table and grab his wrist. “What did you say?”

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