The Probability of Love

Chapter 35 | The Probability of Love

 Chapter 35 | The Probability of Love

-Three Months Before Graduation-

The annoying ringtone coming from my phone woke me up in the middle of the night. I groaned and turned over to grab it on the nightstand.

What could be more important than my sleep at this hour?

I pressed the phone to my ear. "Hello?" my groggy voice answered.

"Jade?" Ray's voice answered loud and clear.

I rubbed my eyes so I could wake up a little more. "Yes, babe, what do you need?"

My brain was still half asleep and my eyes did not want to stay open one bit.

"Can we talk?" he asked, sounding a little worried.

The concern in his voice told me that this was urgent. I sat up slowly and composed myself before answering. It had to be something really important for him to be calling this early in the morning. The birds weren't even up yet.

"Yeah, sure, what's up?" I asked.

"I'm kind of downstairs right now," he mumbled.

I cleared my voice. "You're at my house?"

"Well, yeah. I wanted to tell you in person," he said.

I groaned. "Okay, stay there, I'm coming down."

I pulled a hoodie over my pajamas and quietly headed downstairs. I didn't want to wake up my parents or Shane. They were sound asleep, while I was here, sneaking out to meet my boyfriend.

I opened the door, only to see Ray sitting in his car waiting for me. My legs quickly walked over to his car to escape the cold.

"Hey," I said, hopping into the passenger seat.

"Hi," he replied, turning up the heater.

I observed him. He didn't want to look me in the eyes ever since I stepped foot into his car. His fingers played with his car keys, trying to find the right words to say.

"Ray, come on, what is it?" I encouraged, trying not to let my voice sound like I was worried.

He sighed. "I don't know how to even say it," he mumbled.

"Say what?"

He looked out his window. "I got a great offer from a university to play college ball."

"Babe, that's great!" I exclaimed.

Why would he be scared to tell me that? I'm beyond proud of him.

"It's at Coral Coast," he mumbled.

"Oh," I muttered.

The University of Coral Coast was on the complete opposite coast of the University of Riverbank, where I would be attending next fall.

"Well, I'm happy for you, nonetheless," I said, trying to break the silence.

He looked out the window. "I want to go to college with you by my side."

"Have you heard from Riverbank yet?" I asked softly.

He shook his head. "They haven't contacted me yet."

"Maybe they will soon!" I exclaimed, trying to lift the mood.

"What if they don't, baby? What if I don't get an offer from them?" he started ranting. "What if this is what breaks us apart? What if you find someone better at Riverbank? I can't- I don't even want to imagine life without you."