Nets and Lies(9)

Mom felt along my hairline. “I don’t know, Melanie. We may need to get it examined.”

“No, I’m not going to the hospital!”

Mom stared at me in surprise at my outburst. I forced a smile to my lips. “It’s fine. Coach Murray looked me over. Don’t you think if it were something serious he would’ve called an ambulance?” I grabbed a glass out of the cabinet before fumbling in the medicine drawer for Advil. Then it hit me. “Wait, how did you know about my head?”

“Coach T called a few minutes ago to make sure you were all right.”

The glass slid out of my hands and crashed onto the floor. My face flushed with embarrassment. “Whoops,” I said, sheepishly as I eyed the broken glass.

“Here, sweetie. Take the Advil to the table and have a seat. I’ll get you some water.”

“Okay,” I said. I gingerly stepped over the glass and then made my way to a chair. Without thinking, I plopped down on the hard oak. Pain shot through my lower abdomen with such intensity I bit my lip to keep from crying out. It felt like every bone in my body had been beaten, and there was a gnawing feeling in the pit of my abdomen.

“He kept apologizing over and over for letting you drive home. He said you wouldn’t let him drive you. I told him it was all right.” Mom set the glass down on the table and smiled at me. “After all, Daddy and I know how stubborn you can be.”

I opened my mouth to protest when a knock came at the back door. My stomach clenched into knots. Please don’t let it be him…Please…I’ll start screaming if it is.

“Wonder who that could be?” Mom asked.

When she flung open the door, my heart stopped and restarted.

It was Will.

He barely acknowledged Mom. Instead, his eyes frantically searched the kitchen. The minute he saw me, he crossed the room in two long strides. He knelt down beside me, taking my hands into his. “Are you okay?”

With my cheeks burning, I ducked my head and whispered, “I’m fine.”

Will wrapped his arms around me. Even though his breath was hot on my neck, I shivered. “Dad said you got a pretty bad bump on the head, and you were out cold for a few minutes.”

“It wasn’t that long,” I muttered.

He pulled away to stare into my eyes. There was such a mixture of love and concern that my heart ached. His fingers cupped my chin, pulling my face to his. When his lips met mine, I shuddered and jerked away.

Will smiled, and then whispered, “My bad. I know how you feel about me kissing you in front of your mom.”

I just stared down at my hands. Mom walked over to us. “It’s awfully sweet of you to come over and check on Melly.”

“The moment Dad called me, I just ran out the door. He must’ve thought I was crazy racing over here for a bump that didn’t need an ambulance or anything. I guess I could’ve called, but I knew I wouldn’t feel right until I saw for myself she was okay.”

Mom brought her hand to heart and gushed, “Oh, that’s so thoughtful of you!”

Will’s grinned widened. “Ah, I’m even more of a knight in shining armor.” He looked at me. “Guess who has a major English paper due tomorrow?”

“Oh, no,” I moaned, bringing my hand to my forehead.

“Oh, yes, we do. So, I thought you might need some help.”

“I completely forgot. Ugh, how am I going to get through an essay with my head throbbing?”

“Because I’m going to help you,” Will replied.

“Help me write it, or help me cheat by using yours?” I asked.

Will laughed. “A little of both.”

I bit my lip. “Look, I really don’t think this is a good time. I mean, I’ll be a day or two late with it, and Ms. Anderson can just take ten points off.”

Will reached out to cup my face. “Just let me help you, okay?”

I didn’t have the strength to argue anymore, so I merely nodded. “But I really need to shower first,” I whispered.

“I told you I liked you all sweaty,” Will said, with a wink.

I closed my eyes and nodded my head. “I know.”

His thumb rubbed against my cheek. “All right, beautiful. Take your shower, and I’ll just fire up the laptop while I wait.”

When we both started upstairs, Mom opened her mouth to protest, but then snapped it shut. I knew she didn’t like the idea of me showering with Will up there. I sighed in exasperation. “I’ll leave the bedroom door open, okay?”

She nodded and smiled. “Okay.”

Twice I faltered on the steps, but luckily Will was there to catch me. As we started into the bedroom, he asked, “You sure you ought to be showering?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Not that I wouldn’t mind rushing in there to save you!”

I glanced back at him, and he shot me a wicked grin. It caused something to turn over in me like a switch. “God, don’t you ever stop thinking about sex!” I snapped.

Will arched his eyebrows. “Ouch! That bump brought out the bitchiness in you tonight. I’m seriously feeling the claws!”

I didn’t say anything.

“Hmm, maybe I should leave and let you work out the essay the best way you can.”

“Do whatever you want,” I grumbled, as I took out a clean shirt and sweatpants from my drawer. But when I peeked at him through the shroud of hair covering my face, I saw him shake his head before sitting down at the desk.