When Our Worlds Collide (Our Worlds #1)(102)

“Can we just get our check and leave?” I flag down a different waitress demanding to get our check. She looks at me with concern. I’m sure I look like I saw a ghost. I turn back to my best friend. “Violet, you can’t tell Graham about this.”

“I don’t like it, Kennedy. He should know what that dickhead is saying to you.” Violet pays for our meal after demanding that it’s on her. “You need to promise me that you’ll at least tell me if he approaches you again?”

I eventually give in to her demand. Graham’s usually around me and Craig wouldn’t dream of saying something in front of him. Graham wouldn’t be able to hold himself back. I’ve already had to remind him that I want to put it in my past. Technically nothing happened.

When I get home I crash onto my bed grabbing my cell phone to text Graham. He had practice, but he should be home by now, hopefully doing his homework.

Me: Hey, how was practice?

Graham: Had trouble pitchin with my damn eye all swollen. its gone down a lot. by Friday i should be good to go.

Me: That’s good. I found my dress.

Graham: u did?

Me: I have a feeling you’re going to love it.

Graham: Babe, if ur wearing it im sure i will.

Me: I wish you were here. I sleep a lot better when you are.

Graham: Want me to sneak in your window again?

Me: I wish

Graham: im gonna finish homework then go to bed. im exhausted. heres ur last chance 2 let me sneak in that window of urs.

Me: Not tonight. Is your Dad gone?

Graham: Yea u dont need to worry about me 2night, Ken.

Me: I always worry about you.

Graham: I love you & I’ll see you in the morning. I’m picking you up, right?

Me: Yes and I love you too.

I fall asleep just as I have every night since the accident---thinking about Graham. In the beginning my thoughts were superficial. They were about the way he looked at me and how he made me feel like no one ever has before. Now they are deeper than just how damn gorgeous he is or the way his shirt clings to his chest. I’m not going to lie those aren’t bad thoughts to have. Now whenever my mind wanders to Graham, I think about how he’s going to change the world with his determination and how he’s teaching me that people aren’t always what they seem to be in the best way possible.

I want to think that my choices have bettered Graham in some way. That by telling someone his biggest secret that he’ll be better off and be able to be a better person because of it. I’d like to believe that losing him will be worth saving his life if it ever came down to that.





Chapter FortyEight



-Graham-



The big day finally arrives. I had to wait two weeks to get Georgia’s coach to be here. Today could be the day that my future starts to be mapped out. I still have another year until I can commit to a University, but this is one of the biggest steps of making my dreams come true. If I can prove to them that I’m a worthy ball player then maybe the majors aren’t too far off for me. It can all be within my grasp.

“What are you thinking about?” Kennedy slides up next to my locker. It’s Friday morning. It’s game day.

“What if I blow it?” I worry out loud to her. She looks at me as if I said something completely ridiculous. Maybe I’m overreacting.

“You’ll be amazing just as you always are. It’s actually rather annoying.” Kennedy leans into me kissing me on the ridge of my jawline before prancing down the hallway towards Violet’s locker. I watch her walk noticing Craig’s eyes lingering on her legs.

God, give me five minutes alone in a room with him and I will destroy him. I’d give my left nut to beat the shit out of him.

After school I head to Coaches office to talk to him about what to expect before I’m due to show up at the field. He tells me just to play like I have been all year long and I should be fine. I notice him looking at my arms and face quickly looking elsewhere pretending to fiddle with papers when he realizes he’s been caught.

That’s weird.

“You were meant to play this game, Graham. Just prove it to everyone else who doesn’t already know,” Coach reassures me just as I get up from the chair in his office.

“Thanks Coach. I’ll see you out there,” I wave before shutting the door to his office behind me.

I walk into the locker room where the rest of my team is sitting around bullshitting. Our usual routine before games. Everyone knows that the scouts are coming tonight to see me pitch. They pat me on the back with words of encouragement as I make my way to my locker. All of my teammates seem to be happy for me except for one. Craig’s standing at the end of the row of lockers glaring me down.

“So the scouts are coming today to watch Mr. All American play, huh?” Craig yells at me slamming the door of his locker making the room echo with the crash.

I just roll my eyes ignoring him, not wanting to get riled up before the game. I put my headphones on and turn the volume up on my iPod drowning him and everyone else out. A few minutes pass when someone tugs on the headphones pulling them from my ears. I turn to see Craig standing directly in my face. His chest is puffed up against my arm.

“What is your problem, man?” I ask with my fists clenched. I’m ready to lay his ass out if need be. Craig smiles the biggest most condescending smile I have ever seen.