Page 65 of On His Schedule
Practice runs fine. I’m closer to my reads than yesterday. I’m not where I want to be, but I am closer. I shower at the rink and get back to the house at eleven. I towel off in my room and the phone buzzes on the dresser.
From:Camden Athletic Tutoring CenterSubject:Tutoring Session Cancellation
Hi Benson,
Your tutor Lucy Moss has notified us that she needs to cancel today’s 4:00 PM session due to illness. We are working to reschedule. You will receive an updated calendar invite once a new time has been confirmed. Please direct any questions to the Athletic Tutoring Center.
— Camden Athletic Tutoring Center
My stomach plummets.
I read it again. She doesn’t have my number, so technically, she couldn’t text me, but she could have asked my sister for my number to give me a heads-up on this. I sit on the edge of the bed in the towel in disbelief that she went through the center. I need the sessions, or Fuller will flip.
All of these signs point to one thing.
She’s freaked out from the kiss.
Fuck.
I shake my head, knowing that she’s sick. Iknowshe’s sick. I heard it from Gianna, saw the panic on my sister’s face, and know she took her to urgent care, and yet, my mind’s still convincing me that she’s canceling on me because of the kiss.
I run my hands through my hair and massage the back of my neck.
I don’t know.
I can’t text her. I can’t show up at her place. I can’t do any of the things I want to do. I also can’t sit around here any longer.
Blue is at the kitchen island making a sandwich. Percy is at the dining table reading. His book is in French again. The cover hasa sad-looking man on it, although that may be every book Percy reads. Stanley is in class. Rowan is at the gym.
I sit on the kitchen island stool across from Blue as he lays another piece of turkey. I put my hands flat on the island. I take them off. I rest them on my knees. I put them back on the island.
Blue says, “It’s just us in here, cap. Tell us what’s eating at you.”
I open my mouth and then wipe my face. I tap the counter and inhale. Here goes nothing. “I kissed Lucy Friday night.”
He pauses, looking up at me. Across the room, Percy lifts his head from the book. The two of them look at each other.
“You did?” Blue asks.
Percy closes the book, walks over, and stands at the corner.
I rub the back of my neck. “She canceled today’s tutoring session.”
Percy says, “I heard Gianna telling Mara that she’s sick.”
I nod.
Blue says, “You don’t believe it.”
“I don’t know.” I rub my eyes and lean back. “Fuck.” I lean forward. “You both know I don’t just go around and kiss anyone.”
Blue chuckles, taking a bite of sandwich. “No, bro. And you hadn’t even known the girl for a full week.”
“Is that right?” Percy looks at me. “I thought she was your sister’s roommate.”
“She is, and that’s why G never invites me over. She didn’t want me ruining her friendships anymore.”
“You’ve got yourself in a pickle,” Blue laughs.
