Evolve Series, Book 1

I work out until Coach makes me stop. “Hit the showers, Walker, enough for today. I’ll see you Sunday morning.”

 

Sunday morning? Oh just kill me now, I’ve forgotten all about that damn hitting clinic, and it’s at UGA. What am I gonna do? Of course I’ll see Kaitlyn, who I haven’t talked to since she sent the picture. Actually, I wasn’t talking to her much before that, either. But what if I run into Evan? What if I don’t? See—since when do I question seeing Evan? And yet, here we are. AAARGH!

 

Finally walking into my room after a marathon day, someone yells my name behind me. Turning, I see Zach jogging down the hall to catch me. “What’s up, stranger? You just getting in?”

 

“Yeah, I went ham at ball practice tonight. How are you, Zach? Anything new?” I welcome the big hug he gives me.

 

“Nothing much, big home game this weekend, can you make it?”

 

“Yeah, I leave for hitting clinic early Sunday, but I can come Saturday to watch you. I’d love to see you play!”

 

“Great, I’ll give you my parents’ tickets. You don’t strike me as a student section mosher,” he laughs.

 

“Good call,” I chuckle back. “I’ll be there. I’ll see you before then though, right?”

 

“Well, I sure hope so. You okay, Laney?” He rests one hand on my shoulder. “You seem off.”

 

I am off, I’m so far off I don’t know which way’s up. “Ya, I’m good, thanks, though. All I need right now is a shower. I refuse to use the team facilities.” A shiver actually shakes me just from the thought. “I have a paper to finish, too; I’ll see ya later, Zach.”

 

My room is empty, thank God. I throw all my stuff down and beeline for the shower. I stay in long after I’m clean and finally get out when the water feels like ice. I change into sweats and a tank, leaving my hair wet, and climb into bed. Bennett comes in not long after.

 

“Hey, roomie, whatcha doing?”

 

“Just relaxing, getting ready to go to bed. How was your day?”

 

“Absolutely fabulous! I think I got the role I wanted in our play.” Her green eyes sparkle and I’m so happy for her. “You’ll come to the show, right Laney?”

 

“Of course I will, congratulations!”

 

“Thank You! Tate’s so proud of me; he’s on his way over. I think he got me a present!”

 

She’s so excited, I don’t complain about the fact I’m in bed and would rather not have company. Nor do I want to be a third wheel spectator, so I move to go. “I’m gonna go chill at Zach’s, ya’ll have fun.” She of course tells me I don’t have to leave, but I do. They need this time. Lord knows, if I had a hottie coming over to bestow “you’re awesome” gifts to me, I wouldn’t want an audience.

 

Of course Zach’s not in his room, but we’ve reviewed this...everyone here has a life but me. What the hell do I do now? I’m in sweatpants, in the middle of the hall and my keys are back in the room, along with my bed. FML.

 

And once again...I find myself knocking on Room

 

114. Tate and I really should just switch rooms, except that’s not happening.

 

Sawyer yells “come in” so I ever so slightly open the door and peek around it. I like to see what I’m walking into before it sees me. “Hey Laney, come in, girl. Whatcha doing?” He looks up from his game and I move in and shut the door.

 

“Which one’s Tate’s bed?” I ask him. “Um, that one.” He points. “Why?”

 

“Well, Romeo and Juliet are having private time, and I’m tired. If he’s gonna take up my room, I’m taking his bed.”

 

“Cool with me, you want a drink or something?” “Like you’d get up from that game to get me one,” I laugh. “No, Sawyer, I’m good, thanks.”

 

I try to get comfortable enough to possibly fall asleep in Tate’s bed with Sawyer in the room, basically as anti-me as it gets, when the door flies open. Ah, and just when I didn’t believe in happy endings, in walk, or stumble rather, Dane and songbird bitch Whitley. She’s laughing like he’s the funniest guy on the planet, and of course she couldn’t possibly stand without both paws clinging to him, poor girl.

 

Dane takes notice of me and his face goes pale as his eyes bore into mine. “What are you doing here...in my brother’s bed?” He croaks out.

 

“Your brother’s in my room and Zach’s not home, so I came here and Sawyer wore me plum out.”

 

Sawyer whips his head around to me and laughs. “Don’t tease me like that! I’m trying to concentrate on world domination here.” He nonchalantly turns back to his game. Liking Sawyer better and better all the time, he’s so chill.

 

“What are you doing here, Dane? Oh, my bad, do you two need this bed?” Now why did I just say that? I’m hurt and embarrassed about the studio thing, but that’s now what that was just about. Am I jealous? Yes, yes I am. Not good.

 

“Really?” the canary bites out.