When Laney settles down a bit, I place her back in her seat gently and buckle her up. She’s a bit like a zombie right now. We again set off down the road. “Laney, what do we do? Can you still come to UGA?”
“No, all the scholarships have been given out, Evan. School’s started; the girls who accepted are there. It’s too late. I could have been there with you!” Too tired to cry this time, she drops her chin against her chest, wrapping her arms around herself. “Tell me this isn’t happening; tell me I’m having a nightmare! Why would she do this to me, to us? I guess me coming down here finally cracked her, she knew the coach would say something.”
I have no idea what to say to her. I can’t believe it myself. I can hardly drive; my hands are throbbing because I’m gripping the steering wheel so tightly. Laney and I were robbed of our happiness, our chance. She had her shot at playing D1 ball stolen by her best friend. Talk about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.
Laney’s eyes are closed; her head leaning against the window. I’m sure she’s exhausted from all this and my heart aches for her. All this time she thought she wasn’t good enough, that UGA didn’t think she was good enough; but she was and now there’s nothing she can do about it. She’s been all alone at Southern, and I can’t imagine how hard that is for her, especially when she didn’t have to be there at all.
Kaitlyn will pay for this; I don’t know how yet, but she will pay.
Hours later, I pull up to Laney’s campus. I’m not quite sure where I’m going so I’m forced to wake her up. “Laney, baby, where’s your building?”
She sleepily gets her bearings and guides me to her dorm. When we get there, neither of us move to get out of my truck. We just kinda stare blankly at one another, not sure what to do or say. The ride back was supposed to have been spent talking about why we hadn’t talked, making up...but we’d never been fighting, we’d been brutally tricked. So what do we do now?
“Laney, I hate to leave you, God, especially like this, but I gotta get headed back. If I miss, I don’t dress out. At least we can talk again now, right?” I try to get a small smile from her, hoping this will make her feel better, but I know it doesn’t; it doesn’t make me feel much better, either.
“Yeah, I guess it’s good we figured that out. I’ve missed you, Evan. I thought I’d lost you, lost my best friend. I think a new part of me died every single day.” A tear falls down her cheek as she says it.
I reach over and gently wipe it away, then pull her to me. God, she feels so good in my arms. I love her so much and my heart broke when I thought she was ignoring me. I don’t ever want to let her go. Is this all worth it? College, ball, all this...all that should matter is being with Laney.
“Laney, we’re going to get through this. I’ll walk you to your door, sweetpea, and then you go up and get some sleep. We’ll talk after I do the same and our heads are clear.”
“K, promise me you’re okay to drive?”
“I promise, baby girl.” I lean over, cupping her face in my hands. I take in every nuance of her beauty, burning it into my brain, the image that will get me through until I see her again. I don’t deserve their grace, but, as established, I’m a selfish asshat, so I kiss her lips. She tastes like my Laney, my life, my love. She deepens the kiss, sighing into my mouth, and I can actually absorb her heartache. I’m more confused now than ever, but one thing never wavers, one thing I never doubt...I am and will always be in complete and forever love with Laney.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
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KISSABLE
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Laney
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I don’t wake up until almost one in the afternoon, classes be damned today. For a brief moment, I think maybe it was all been a bad dream, that yesterday didn’t happen, but too soon I realize it did. What do I do now? Nothing—there’s nothing I can do.
I have no idea what would motivate Kaitlyn to do such things and I don’t think I can stand talking to her to even ask why. Okay, so playing devil’s advocate, maybe she thought the picture would be funny. But robbing someone of their college scholarship? That’s huge! And crazy! And the phone thing? Why would Kaitlyn not want me talking to Evan? Was she trying to break my resolve or trying to block communication so I wouldn’t figure out her plan?
Well duh, Laney, how blind are you? Kaitlyn wants Evan. Holy shit, that’s it!
ALL. GOOD. STUFF. Really? FML.
There’s only one thing I can even fathom to do at this point. I call my Dad.
“Daddy,” I sob, breaking down the minute I hear his voice.
“Slugger? What’s wrong?” he asks, worry heavy in his voice. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
“N-no, I’m not hurt.” I wipe my nose with my shirt sleeve, taking a deep breath.
“Laney Jo, you’re scaring me. What the hell’s the matter?” he barks.