to live for the hope of it all.

Chapter 20

October 6th, 2023

"I like the way I can't keep my focus,
I watch you talk, you didn't notice,
I hear the words but all I can think is we should be together..."

Bailey

"You alright?"

I turned from where I was watching as Beckett packed his bag, and faced my grandfather.

"Yeah, why?" I asked.

I was better than alright.

"Just making sure, that was quite the game he just played."

"It was," I blushed.

Beckett looked up from his bag at that moment, and started walking towards all of us, Caleb right beside him. Dropping their bags, both boys turned to their parents to hug them, smiling the whole time. Caleb was reenacting a moment from the game, and had Delilah laughing away where she sat on her aunt's hip. Anna whispered something to Beckett which he chuckled at before my grandfather pulled Beckett into a hug.

"Now that's a game," My grandfather said. Beckett hugged him back, despite how sweaty he was, and thanked him for coming before turning to me.

"You did really go-" 

I was cut off when a pair of arms embraced me. I froze. Beckett was hugging me.

I could feel the adrenaline running high off of him and onto me. After a second, I gave in and wrapped my arms around his waist. He was sweaty, and I could feel his jersey sticking to his skin, but I didn't care. Because Beckett and I were hugging, and I never wanted to move.

His hold tightened on me for a second before he pulled away and his warm gray eyes met mine.

"Hi," I said, suddenly conscious that the rest of the group was watching us with knowing smiles.

"Hi," he said softly, giving me that body-tightening smile he always does.

From my peripheral, I saw Caleb approach where we stood, but I couldn't look away from Beckett. When Caleb cleared his throat, we both reluctantly turned to him before he turned to Wren who stood behind me.

"Should we try that?" He asked her, smirking but in a completely serious tone.

"Not happening," she said firmly. Caleb sighed, and his smile softened.

"It was worth a shot," he said, turning back to Beckett. "You ready? We've got a bus to catch."

"Yeah, okay," Beckett said, leaning to pick up his bag. I turned, ready to follow the rest of the group towards the parking lot when he called my name.

"Yeah?"

"What's your phone battery on?" He asked, smiling. I paused, not expecting the question, but then I pulled out my phone to answer him.

"54%"

"Okay. See you later," he grinned, turning back and walking back in the direction of the bus.

What just happened?

I didn't have time to think about it long, because as soon as I buckled my seatbelt and settled in for the car ride home, my phone buzzed.

Beckett: Tell me about this week's book.

Me: What do you want to know?

Beckett: Anything, everything.

And that's how I ended up spending the entire car ride talking to Beckett about The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. I was worried I was saying too much, but then he'd ask a new question that required explanation and we just kept going back and forth. For an hour.