“No! You need to leave me alone, Carson!”
When she attempts to yank her arm free, I do the only thing I can and release her. As much as I want to hold on tight, I can’t. When she stumbles back a step, I spring forward to steady her. Instead of allowing me to help, she lifts her hands as if to ward me off. Almost as if she can’t bear the thought of me touching her. Wounded by her behavior, my arms drop back to my sides.
I seriously can’t believe this is what it’s come to.
She straightens her skirt, giving me one final glare that could freeze the balls off a yeti before spinning on her heels and stalking away for a second time as she disappears down the pathway.
A feeling of helplessness settles over me as I realize there’s nothing more I can do. If I continue to chase her, the situation will only escalate, and I don’t want that to happen. Allowing her to walk away when we have so much unfinished business to work out feels wrong.
It sucks to realize that all I can do is give Elle the space she’s so intent on forcing between us.
Chapter Eleven
Elle
A message pops up on my phone from Brayden, letting me know that he’s here and waiting downstairs. Tonight we’re headed to Mom’s for dinner. Honestly, it’ll be a relief to escape from campus, even if it’s only for a few hours. Between play practice, my classes, and this growing issue with Carson, I’m both mentally and emotionally exhausted.
I need a homecooked meal and to spend a little quality time with the fam. As a result of avoiding the football house, I haven’t seen very much of my brother. He might be overprotective and annoying, but I miss seeing his ugly mug. I’m struck with the realization that this is a little glimpse into the future and what it’ll be like when he graduates in the spring.
We’re closer to that happening than I’ve allowed myself to dwell on. Sadness bubbles up inside me at the thought of Brayden moving on to the next phase of his life when I’ll still be stuck here. We won’t know where my brother will end up playing football until the draft in the spring. It could be halfway across the country.
The same goes for Car—
As soon as an image of him pops into my brain, I shove it aside. It doesn’t matter where Carson gets drafted. In fact, I’ll be glad once he’s gone. Maybe if I repeat the mantra enough times, I’ll actually start to believe it.
With a quick goodbye to my suitemates, I close the door behind me and take the elevator to the first floor before exiting the dorm. I wave to a few girls from class and jog to where Brayden’s black truck is idling alongside the curb. When I’m close enough, I catch a glimpse of Sydney in the front seat. My brother introduced his new girlfriend to Mom last month and she’s been joining us for dinner when she can carve out time. Since she plays soccer, she isn’t always able to make it. Luckily for me, play practice was scheduled for earlier this afternoon and I was able to plow through most of my homework, which freed up a few precious hours.
I yank open the backdoor, ready to slip inside. “Hi...” The rest of my greeting dies a quick death on my tongue as I lock gazes with Carson.
He’s the last person I expected to see this evening.
When I remain frozen in place, Brayden glances at me from the front seat. “Hey, you gonna get in or what?”
It’s tempting to select the or what option, but then I’d have to explain why I have zero interest in being in a certain someone’s presence, and I’m not really in the mood to watch my brother lose his shit.
Instead, I huff out a breath before reluctantly sliding onto the seat next to the one person I’ve been trying so hard to avoid. I slam the door shut with a grunt and stare straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge his presence. Tension fills every muscle in my body as Brayden peels away from the curb before pulling into traffic. Even though I try to pretend I’m alone in the backseat, that’s impossible. I couldn’t be more aware of the muscular guy next to me. I feel every shift of his body, every intake of air, every glance in my direction like the ripple of a pebble in a calm pool. I’m bombarded by his very existence.
Just when I feel like I’ll come unhinged, Sydney asks, “How’s the play going? We’re excited to see it.”
I release a steady inhalation and tell her about the fall production of Heathers the university is putting on. Since I’m only a sophomore and competition is fierce in the theater department, I was given a minor role. The part has more lines than last year, which is a plus. I’m trying to look at it through the lens of there being no small parts, only small actors.