Page 22 of Cheap Shot

“You know you’re not alone here, right? You have me and Ethan and the rest of the team.”

She pushed her hair over her shoulder. “Ethan and I haven’t ever been close. We’re not the type to hang out or talk about things.”

“It doesn’t have to stay that way. You’re both here now.”

She rolled her lip between her teeth before frowning. “It’s not really that simple. We agreed to give each other space, and I know he has his own thing going on. I don’t really want to fall back into the role of Ethan Clarkson’s little sister. I grew up in his shadow, and all I’ve wanted was to be able to stand on my own.”

That wasn’t something I could personally relate to. My little brother was young enough that he wasn’t in high school at the same time as me, and he was just as talented, if not more, than me. But being teammates with Ethan and knowing how much attention he got from the coaches, fans, and professors did give me a glimpse of what she might have experienced.

“I get that.” Well, I could try. “The school is big enough that if you don’t want to see someone, you don’t have to.”

I checked my watch, and she caught me.

“I should head back to my dorm.” She started to stand, “I’ve got a few assignments due tomorrow.”

“Oh, I don’t have to go. I was just––”

“No, really. I should get going.”

“Okay.” I stood and waited for her before walking back toward the front of the building. When we got to where the sidewalk split into several directions, she stopped.

“I’ll see you later?” Her voice seemed hesitant, like she wasn’t sure how I would answer. As if I’d reject her now.

“Yeah, of course.”

Her smile was the best reward. She took a step away. “Wait, can I give you my number? Just in case you ever need anything, or just want to talk.”

She blinked a few times before nodding and pulling her phone from her back pocket. “Yeah, thanks.”

I recited it, and a moment later my phone vibrated.

“I texted you so you have mine too.” Her grin brightened before she walked away. I watched for a moment before heading to my next class across campus. I was so relieved to see her happy again. I appreciated the moments when she showed me her cracks, but I couldn’t help but want to help her heal them. She was so much stronger than she gave herself credit for. I didn’t know what caused her to end up here, but I knew she was a fighter to not give up.

“Reid!”

I turned toward the voice and waved to Ethan jogging toward me. “Hey.”

“Was that my sister?” he asked when he reached me, watching her walk away over my shoulder.

For about half a second, I thought about lying, but he wasn’t stupid. “Yeah. I ran into her, and we talked for a minute.”

He eyed me. “About what?”

How honest should I be? The things she told me seemed private, but then again, she needed more than just me. She needed her brother, but they both needed to realize that on their own.

“Just how she’s settling in.”

He cocked his eyebrow. “And?”

I started walking toward my next class, and he fell into step next to me. “She hasn’t made many friends. I think she’s feeling lonely.”

He rolled his bottom lip between his teeth. “Why didn’t she tell me?”

Was this when I told him how his sister truly felt about him? No. If I wanted to have a chance at truly being her friend, I couldn’t break her trust, not even for him.

“I think she’s trying to prove she can make it on her own. I don’t think she wants to rely on you.”

He huffed out a breath. “I swear, she is the most stubborn person I know.”