Page 38 of Run Home

But I can tell her I know exactly what I’m going to do.

I’m going to be with Adrian.

And I’m not going to mess it up.

Chapter sixteen

Adrian

The blare of my alarm is particularly offensive this morning, and I groan as I reach a hand out to smack it. I don’t think I fell asleep until after 3:00 a.m. this morning. My mind was too full of Sam to shut down.

Rolling onto my back, I stare up at the ceiling and grin. Because for once, my mind wasn’t haunted by phantoms of Sam. It had the real, palpable memories of her hands on my chest. Of my hands on her waist, my lips on her cheek.

Her fingers against my scalp—with intention, this time.

Propping up on one elbow, I grab my phone from the nightstand and unlock it. Before I check any of my new messages, I type one out to Sam.

ME

Good morning, mi novia hermosa (my beautiful girlfriend). Last night was real, in case you need the reminder as much as I do.

But since I’m the one who’s been dreaming of that conversation for months, you should maybe be the one reminding me.

She doesn’t respond right away, creating a niggling doubt at the edge of my thoughts. But it’s early, and she’s probably getting ready for school.

I click to my conversation with Griffin, and the doubts settle down.

WEST

Heard from Sam. I’m glad for you, man.

But you know I will absolutely still end you if you hurt her, best friend or not.

ME

Thanks, bro. I’d want you to end me if I did anything to hurt her. It’s the last thing I’d ever want to do.

Thanks for giving me the push to talk to her last night.

WEST

I didn’t push you. I was trying to intimidate you. You jumped to conclusions all on your own. But I’m glad you did.

Clicking off the phone, I get up and quickly make the bed before taking a shower. I might need some cold water to jump-start my brain so I don’t screw up on the field today just because I’m half delirious from lack of sleep.

Scratch that—I’m fully delirious. Half from lack of sleep, and half from the memory of Sam’s lips whispering against my ear.

By the time I’m showered and dressed in warm-up gear, I have a text from Sam.

SAM

Yes, last night was very real. If you’re going to explain your Spanish phrases now, when do I get the translation for cielo?

Grinning like a lunatic, my fingers fly across the keyboard.

ME

Not yet. Maybe soon.