The Game Plan

8

"No you don't." Nick murmured, reaching for me.

Before I could get out of his reach he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me close to his chest. The second I collided with his soft t-shirt, I felt every bit of tension melt.

And I hated myself for it.

"Its going to be okay, please don't cry." He said, clearly not knowing what to do with a crying girl.

"No its not. This is such a mess." I hicupped.

"Its definitely not typical. Never thought I'd be hugging a rival quarterback." He said with a laugh.

With that comment, I remembered the situation we were in and backed up.

"Well, I better get going, thanks." I said, walking away.

"Britt?" He called. I stopped and turned to look at him.

"Did you think I was going to kiss you?" He asked. I felt myself blush.

"I won't kiss you until you ask." He winked and I rolled my eyes before walking back to my room.

Once I was in my bed, I pulled the covers around me and tried to sleep.

After not being able to settle my mind, I grabbed my charging phone and opened a text message to Nick.

I'm really sorry about crying in front of you. I don't usually cry... ever. I'm just sorry. I know it makes people uncomfortable.

I put the phone down and stared at the ceiling.

Bzzz.

Its okay to cry.

The next morning, I woke up cranky with two hours of sleep under me. We took the plane home and I lounged around all day, trying to distract myself from thinking about the investigation.

"I have popcorn!" I heard Kenz's voice call throughout the house.

"I'm in my room." I called back.

"What's up?" She asked, climbing on my bed and laying down next to me.

"Watching TV." I said, reaching for the popcorn.

"Are you going to mope all day?" She asked and I shrugged.

"Well, either way I am here to keep you company." She said, getting comfy and grabbing her iPhone.

"Did you know Nick went to the game this weekend?" She asked.

"Yup." I said, crunching on popcorn. I didn't feel like getting into the whole mess with her.

"Apparently he met someone..." She said, mostly to herself.

"What?" I said, jumping up and grabbing the phone to read his latest status.

Finally met a girl I can stand toe to toe to, who doesn't mind putting me in my place. Not letting her go.

"I wonder who it is?" She said, looking up at me.

'Why do you look like you just swallowed a hairball... Oh my gosh Britt!" She squealed, jumping up.

"Okay, okay. I'll tell you." I laughed and sat up with her before telling her all about the weekend.

"That is so cute." She gushed, falling back on my bed.

"I guess." I said, picking at a loose string on my comforter.

"Oh rght... the whole thing." She said, avoiding the word 'investigation' and hugging a pillow to her chest.