And then he understood. Her sister’s leukemia. She wanted to cure her. Lane swallowed and looked down at the rice on his plate, his appetite suddenly lacking. “I see.”
“I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right.” She took in a deep breath and exhaled. “I can’t cure my sister.”
He wanted to tell her she was wrong. That she could make a difference. But the words stuck in his mouth and he couldn’t say them because he knew it wasn’t true.
Trudy pushed a water chestnut around her plate with her fork. “I know it’s too late for her,” she whispered.
Lane felt every ounce of heartache in her quiet words, and his own heart broke for her. He wanted to sweep her up in his arms, but they were in a crowded foot court at the mall. Not the right time or place. Instead, he reached over and placed his hand on hers. “You are an amazing person.”
Her gaze met his, and the unshed tears in her eyes made them glisten. “Not quite amazing enough.”
“Don’t.” He threaded his fingers through hers, and for some reason the gesture felt quite intimate, even though they were separated by the table. He wanted to tell her how he’d been watching her. How impressed he was with her. She was amazing, even if not in the way she wanted to be.
She stared at him for a moment before lowering her gaze.
“We’re going to visit her tomorrow, right? In my football uniform?”
She shook her head. “I didn’t think so. Since you got kicked off the team, I thought…”
Oh, no. She was backing out? He’d talked to his dad and if all the stars aligned, he was going to give Allison the surprise of her lifetime. He had to make this work. “I still have my gear. You said it would make her happy, right? She’d like it?”
More emotions played across Trudy’s face before she nodded. “Yeah. She’d like it.”
“Then let’s go. I don’t have practice, so we can go over in the morning. Does that work for you?”
“Yes.” She looked down at their intertwined fingers. He couldn’t quite tell what she was thinking, but she gave him a small smile. “Thanks.”
“Of course.”
They finished eating without talking, but Lane was okay with that. He figured Trudy needed time to process. She had a lot going on. After they stacked their trays and tossed their trash, he took her hand. “Do you want to go to a particular store? Or should we just walk around?”
“Let’s just walk.”
“Okay.”
They followed the movement of the crowd of people, walking past displays. Lane pointed to a group of mannequins. “Old people workout clothes.”
“Do old people shop at the mall?”
“I don’t know. They walk the mall. Does that count?”
Trudy lifted her shoulders. “Maybe after they burn calories, they buy spandex outfits.”
He chuckled. “I guess.”
“Izzy and I used to walk the mall.”
She said it kind of wistfully, and Lane caught a hint of sadness in her tone. “Who’s Izzy?”
“She was my best friend…before I moved. Before everything happened.”
“Oh.” Lane let go of her hand and slipped his arm around her waist. “Do you ever talk to her?”
“I used to. But she’s busy with school now.”
The way Trudy said it made Lane sad. He could tell she missed Izzy. If he could take her to see her friend… The thought stopped him. Why couldn’t he? “We should drive to New Haven on Sunday. You could introduce me to her.”
Trudy’s gaze snapped up to his, her eyes wide. “Are you serious?”
“It’s only a three-hour drive, right?”
“Yes, but that would take all day to drive down there, see Izzy, and come back.”
“Do you have time?”
“Yes. But you don’t even know her. You’d be bored.”
Lane stepped into a small hallway leading to some service doors. He tugged Trudy in after him then put his hands on the wall on either side of her, trapping her. One of the lightbulbs was burned out above, making it semi-dark. She backed up against the wall.
He ran a finger down her cheek. Her skin was so soft, he ached to touch it again, but he refrained. Being near her was driving him crazy. It was like she sucked all the air out of the hallway and he could no longer breathe. He leaned down close to her ear. “I would never be bored with you.”
Her lips parted and she sucked in a tiny breath. The air around them grew charged, like they stood inside one of those plasma globes, and any moment, beams of electricity would shoot out from them.
He gazed into her brown eyes for a second before he leaned down and brushed a light kiss across her lips. She melted into him, her hands sliding up around his neck, her eyes closed. She deepened the kiss and he wrapped his arms around her. He knew there were people walking by only inches away, which was probably good because he needed to ground himself in reality. He could easily get carried away. Kissing Trudy was like dousing a fire with gasoline. Explosive.
He eased back and touched his forehead to hers so he could catch his breath. “Dang, girl. You must like playing with fire.”
“I must,” she whispered, looking away.
Chapter 18
Trudy paced her living room floor, waiting for Lane’s car to pull up. What was the matter with her? Why was she acting like such a fool? She knew Lane’s kisses weren’t real. She knew this whole thing was a façade. But yet, her fingers wouldn’t stop quivering. Her heart raced. Her body was on high alert, knowing she would be seeing Lane any second now.
Their date last night had done something to her head. She had enjoyed the time spent with him. It was odd being with him because it felt like he was the part of her that she’d been missing her whole life. It was almost like he was the glue that filled in her cracks. But that was ridiculous.
An alert sounded on her phone and she looked at the screen. A text from Jessica showed. You spending the day with hottie?
She typed back. Yes.
Jessica had no idea how true that was. She’d known Lane could turn some heads, but she had no idea how good-looking he could be when he really tried. Last night, she thought she was going to start fangirling on him. It was super pathetic.
Remember who the enemy is.
She stared at the words. Right. The enemy. Lane. But that was starting to feel less and less like the truth. He was kind to her. He’d created a dancefloor for them, just so she would feel more comfortable going to Homecoming. He was genuinely disturbed when his parents came home. She felt bad for him, having to live with that. She would hate it if her parents yelled at each other.
She shook off the sympathy she was feeling for him. Remember who the enemy is. She repeated that in her mind a few times before Lane’s car pulled up.
Even though she’d just reminded herself who he really was, her heart did a little dance inside her chest when she saw him get out of his car. He was wearing his football jersey and looked about as good as he’d ever looked. She groaned and rolled her eyes. She was such a stupid idiot.
Lane pressed the bell and she opened the door. “Hi,” she said, her voice sounding weird. Why was she all of a sudden sounding like some airheaded cheerleader?
“Hey. You ready to go to the hospital?”
“Yeah. Let’s go.” She grabbed the pack of football cards she’d picked up last night at the mall and stuffed them in her back pocket. Then she followed him outside, shutting the door and locking it.
“Your mom’s probably there, huh?”
“Yep.” Trudy fell into step beside him. “That’s where she always is,” she added quietly.
“That stinks.”
If only Lane really knew how much it stunk. Before Allison got sick, they were a family. Now, they were nothing. They barely even spoke to each other. Trudy sat in the car and clasped her hands together.
Going to see Allison was always stressful. She wasn’t sure what she was going to find. And her mother had been saying things lately to imply
Allison was getting worse. Trudy steeled herself for it as they pulled into a parking spot.
Lane turned to her and ran a hand through his hair. “Okay, now, don’t freak out.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean,” he paused and looked out of the windshield, “don’t get all excited and yell and stuff when I tell you this.”
Trudy was confused. What was he saying? “Why would I yell?”
“Because. I talked to my dad. And I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but he talked to a few of the players and there’s a possibility some of them might come today.”
Trudy squinted at him. “Like other players on your team?” All she could think about was Gabe coming into the hospital room and calling her Prudy in front of Allison.
“No. Not my team. His team. The Packers.”
His words finally started sinking in. She knew his father worked for the Green Bay Packers, but she’d never in her life imagined Lane would be able to get some of the players to go visit Allison. Her legs began to shake as tears welled up in her eyes. “Are you kidding me?”
“Please, I don’t want you to get all excited for nothing. There’s only a small chance of it. They’re busy. And my dad isn’t in charge of the team or anything. But I told him your sister is really sick, and she’s a huge fan, and he talked with some of the players. They know we’re going to be visiting this morning. A few of them said they’d try to come.”
Trudy couldn’t believe it. The Green Bay Packers? Her sister’s favorite team. If even one of them showed up, Allison would be so happy, they’d have to peel her off the ceiling. And it had been Lane’s idea to talk to his dad? She blinked and wiped at a tear that escaped. “Lane, I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything yet.” He tapped the steering wheel. “I don’t want Allison to get disappointed if none of them can make it.”
“Okay. I promise.” She grabbed a napkin from the console between the seats and dabbed at her eyes, trying to tell herself not to get her hopes up. What Lane did was amazing, but it might not pan out.
She hopped out of the car and turned her head toward the breeze. The scent of dry leaves mixed with whatever purple flowers the hospital had planted in the flowerbeds carried on the air. Fall was fast approaching.
Lane came around the car, a football in his hand. He joined her as she walked toward the building. Nerves overtook her and she pulled her sleeves down into her hands. Lane shoved his football under his arm and took one of her hands. “It will be okay.”
How did he do that? Know what she was thinking? She nodded. “I know.”
When they got to Allison’s room, Trudy pushed on the slightly ajar door and stuck her head in. “Mom?”
Her mother rushed to the door. “Hi, babe.”
“Is Allison awake?”
“She was, but…”
“I’m awake, Mom,” Allison’s voice came from across the room. “I was just resting my eyes.”
Her mother huffed. “Right.” She turned toward Allison. “Are you awake enough for company?”
“Yes. I know Trudy’s here. Let her come in.”
“She brought a friend, too.” Her mother gave Lane a small smile and ushered them in. Then she whispered, “Don’t excite her. She’s tired.”
“I’m not tired,” Allison called out, but her voice betrayed her.
“Go take a break, Mom. I’ll be here for an hour or so.” Trudy gave her mother a quick hug, and she nodded.
“All right.” She grabbed her purse and left.
Trudy’s gaze landed on Allison, and she had to force herself not to gasp. Her sister looked thinner than last week. And pale. “Hey, Alli. This is my friend, Lane.”
Her eyebrows rose as she looked at him. “Is this the guy you said you’d never date?”
Lane laughed and nodded. “Yep. That sounds like your sister to me.”
“You’re a football player? For Rockford High?”
He paused and gave Trudy a quick glance. She motioned for him to go on. No need to get into the suspension and getting kicked off the team. Her sister didn’t need to know all that. He swallowed and turned back to Allison. “Sure am.”
Allison struggled to sit up in her bed. Trudy rushed over to help her. Allison brushed off her hand. “I can do it.”
Lane came close and motioned to the hospital bed. “Mind if I sit down?”
“Sure,” Allison said, scooting her legs over. “What position do you play?”
“Tight end.”
Trudy sat in the chair while Lane and Allison talked about football, saying words she had heard before but didn’t really comprehend. It was a language all its own, and she wasn’t fluent in it. But Allison sure perked up. She even had some of the color come back into her face.
Lane gave her the football he’d brought, and Allison clutched it like it was her prized possession. “When I get better, we should toss this around.”
Lane’s gaze flashed to Trudy for half-a-second, but then he nodded and patted her hand. “You bet.”
Allison grew serious. “So, tell me for real. Are you dating my sister?”
“Yep.” He hadn’t hesitated. Before Trudy could think of what that might mean, he continued. “She’s going to Homecoming with me.”
Her throat tightened. Right. Homecoming. The bet. That’s what this was all about. How had she forgotten? Was this why he was here? She had to remember who the enemy was. She gave her sister a tight smile.
“I like you,” Allison proclaimed and picked up his hand. “You’re good for my sister.”
Lane chuckled and shot Trudy a sexy grin. “Hear that? I got your sister’s approval.”
“That’s just because you’re such a flirt.” Trudy stuck her tongue out at him. He just wiggled his eyebrows at her.
“No,” Allison said. “It’s because he’s your missing piece.”
Trudy almost choked on her spit. “Excuse me?”
Allison turned, her blue eyes striking against her pale skin. “You’re good together.”
It was creepy that her sister was so perceptive. And yet, it was a lie. Because he was not who he was pretending to be. Trudy smiled and waved the comment off.
Lane glanced at the clock. He’d been doing that ever since they stepped into the room. Trudy knew what he was waiting for, but it was looking more and more like a bust. She cleared her throat and pulled out the pack of football cards from her back pocket. “I brought you something, sis.”
Allison grinned and took them from her. “You’re my favorite sister.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“Yep. I am.” She tugged on the package. Trudy stepped back. When she couldn’t get it open, Lane reached over and opened it for her. Allison smiled at him. “Thanks.”
As she flipped through the cards, a knock came on the door. Lane jumped up so fast, the bed pan clattered to the floor. His face turned red as he put it back. “Sorry.”
Allison peered over at the door, her eyebrows raised. “Who would be here?”
The door widened and what looked like the whole Packers football team poured into the room. They wore their jerseys and they just kept coming until a sea of green football players filled the room. Allison’s eyes grew wide and she squealed. “You’re Cameron Hayes! Oh my gosh, what are you all doing here?”
Lane stepped out of the way as the Packers crowded around Allison’s bed, and Cameron ruffled her hair. “We’re here to see you.”
Trudy’s vision blurred as she watched the excited look on her sister’s face. Lane’s father had come through in a big way. There was no way she thought the whole team would show up to talk to her sister.
Lane managed to work his way to Trudy’s side. He nudged her. “You’re crying.”
She was? She hadn’t even realized it. She wiped at her face, her smile never faltering as she watched Allison interact with the team. One of them picked up the football Lane had brought. “Did anyone bring a pen?”
Lane produ
ced a sharpie and tossed it to Cameron. The team all signed the football before they said goodbye and left the room.
Allison clasped her hands together, as much as she could with the IV sticking out of the back of her hand. “This was the best day of my life.” She looked toward Lane. “This was you, wasn’t it? You set this up?”
Lane shrugged. “Well, not me. My dad. He works for the Packers.”
Allison reached out her hand and Lane moved closer so he could take it. “Thank you.”
Trudy’s mother entered the room and Allison began talking at a hundred miles per second, telling her what she missed while she was out.
Trudy kissed her sister on the cheek. “I’ve got to run, twerp. See you next week.”
Her sister pulled her into a hug. “Thank you for everything. And tell Lane’s father thank you as well.”
Lane waved goodbye as they exited the room. Trudy couldn’t help it—she teared up again as she looked at Lane. “Wow. You don’t know what that meant to her.”
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “No problem.”
A zing of electricity shot across her skin. If only those words were true. It was a problem because every nice thing Lane did was only adding to her feelings for him. She could no longer lie to herself. She was falling for Lane.
Chapter 19
Lane couldn’t believe his dad had pulled it off. Practically the whole team had shown up at the hospital. How amazing was that? And now, as they walked across the parking lot back to his car, Trudy was looking at him with an expression he’d never seen before. He liked the glint in her eyes. “Are you happy?”
She stopped and leaned against his passenger door, gazing up at him. “I can’t believe you arranged that. You remembered…” Her voice trailed off and she wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him close. He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. He liked the way she was looking at him. He leaned closer and pressed a kiss to her lips. After the kiss, she pulled back and blinked away more tears. “Thank you for what you did for my sister.”
A Young Adult Romance Collection Page 11