I chuckled a little as I climbed out of the pool and pulled on my jeans. I handed my sweater to her to cover up with as soon as she climbed out of the pool water. We quietly gathered up our clothes and sprinted back to my Jeep where we redressed and cranked the heat, giggling like the 16-year-olds we used to be. When we finally got control of our laughter, I reached over and pulled Nolan’s chin up toward me, and kissed her once more, softly, before leaning back into my seat, buckling the belt, and pulling out of the hotel lot.

It was maybe 11 p.m. when I walked her back up to her room and kissed her on the cheek to say goodnight. I could tell she wanted me to stay, and every piece of me wanted to. But that was too fast. Hell, I jumped over five or six spaces on the game board already tonight.

We had practice in the morning, and things were going to be pretty busy for me until the semester finished. We were getting ready for the bowl announcements, though we were pretty sure we had the Rose Bowl all sewn up. I told Nolan that we would pick up where things left off as soon as the semester was done, and that this was just the first of many dates like this, at least, I hoped. She grew quiet as the night ended, I think still unsure of where we stood. I knew we had to get our trust back in one another, and I knew she still worried about Jenny, and how I felt about her. But I planned on earning every piece of her back, and rebuilding her to be whole again, starting with her heart.

Chapter 13

Nolan

I called Sarah as soon as Reed dropped me off, spilling every word about our date, just like I was back in high school and had just received my first kiss. I couldn’t believe I’d stripped naked in a public pool just to challenge him in some bet, but Oh my God it was the best bet I’d ever blown.

Reed’s touch had the power to erase so many things. For one night, I didn’t think about Gavin, or grades, or scholarships, or tuition. But when I tried to sleep that night, I did wonder about what Reed was thinking. He still hadn’t brought up the miscarriage, but neither did I.

When I didn’t hear from him at all the next day, I slipped back into my old habits, my room dark, and my fire instantly diminished. By the time Sarah and Sienna came to pick me up for our girls’ night dinner, I had convinced myself that he was playing me, while seeing Jenny. I was hesitant to tell them my thoughts at first but, since I really didn’t have anyone else to lean on, I found myself blubbering over burgers and fries at the sports bar we all went to.

“Nolan, you do realize that you’re crazy, right?” Sienna said, leaning forward and forcing me to look her in the eyes. “Reed is about to get a bowl bid, he had practice all day, he’s working with Dylan, and scouts and business people and, lord knows Buck’s probably involved.”

I smiled a little at Sienna’s words forcing myself to consider everything with a fresh perspective. She was right, and I was automatically assuming the worst. It was something I needed to stop doing, and I was about to declare it publicly, when a glimmer flashed by my eyes briefly, but long enough for me to register what it was.

“Holy shit, Sienna. Is that what I think it is?” I said, pointing to her hand. She blushed a little, and then brought her hand to the table to reveal a giant diamond engagement ring. Sarah and I just stared at it with mouths open before reaching over and hugging her, screaming so the entire restaurant turned to our table.

“You bitch, you held out on us,” Sarah said, slugging her on the shoulder a little. Sienna just rubbed it, and elbowed her back.

“No, I just couldn’t seem to find the right time. He just asked me last night,” she was beaming. I took her hand in mine and studied the ring even more while she told us the story about how Micah had led her on a treasure hunt around their apartment for what she thought was a special dessert. She said he had called her parents and got down on one knee and everything. My heart was soaring for my friend and racing with hope at the same time that maybe, someday, I would be the one my girlfriends were screaming over.

My worries from earlier in the day were laid to rest later that night when I got a string of texts from Reed.

I’m so sorry I was so busy today. Didn’t have any time to call. But I missed you. No swimming without me ; - )

XXOO

He had signed every message the same, and I was a giddy teenager all over again. We texted or talked every night until the end of the semester, and we made plans for our second, second-chance date when I got home. I still couldn’t seem to get myself to ask Reed about his date with Jenny that night after the game, or if it even was one. I seemed to be caught in this strange place between wanting to just trust him, and also being bitterly jealous.