Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(43)

but I need my time, my sanctuary. I roll towards the wall and pop my earbuds in, but as I lay there, my anger and mortification

brews and brews, so under the covers where the lovers won’t see me, I text Dane...

Laney: I feel like a fool.

Dane: What are you talking about?

Laney: Photo shoot...me...I don’t feel pretty anymore, I feel like a jackass.

Dane: I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Where is this coming from?

Laney: Nvmnd, prbly overreacting. Night.

I rip out my earbuds and turn my phone completely off. Great, now I can hear them mumbling and Bennett intermittently giggling—how

bad would it hurt to just pierce out my eardrums? Probably pretty bad, so I jam a pillow over my head.





Chapter Twenty-Two


––––––––

OUT IN THE COLD

––––––––

Laney

––––––––

I ignore Dane’s calls and texts all day, and there weren’t any from Evan to ignore, so tonight’s practice is just what the

doctor ordered; I have a lot to work through. Actually, I have a lot of “lack of” to get out—lack of boyfriend, Evan, lack of

communication with best friend, Evan, lack of dignity about being Dane’s puppet, lack of silence from two people going at it like

rabbits in my room...ya, college rocks. GO EAGLES!

I work out until Coach makes me stop. “Hit the showers, Walker, enough for today. I’ll see you Sunday morning.”

Sunday morning? Oh just kill me now, I’ve forgotten all about that damn hitting clinic, and it’s at UGA. What am I gonna do? Of

course I’ll see Kaitlyn, who I haven’t talked to since she sent the picture. Actually, I wasn’t talking to her much before that,

either. But what if I run into Evan? What if I don’t? See—since when do I question seeing Evan? And yet, here we are. AAARGH!

Finally walking into my room after a marathon day, someone yells my name behind me. Turning, I see Zach jogging down the hall to

catch me. “What’s up, stranger? You just getting in?”

“Yeah, I went ham at ball practice tonight. How are you, Zach? Anything new?” I welcome the big hug he gives me.

“Nothing much, big home game this weekend, can you make it?”

“Yeah, I leave for hitting clinic early Sunday, but I can come Saturday to watch you. I’d love to see you play!”

“Great, I’ll give you my parents’ tickets. You don’t strike me as a student section mosher,” he laughs.

“Good call,” I chuckle back. “I’ll be there. I’ll see you before then though, right?”

“Well, I sure hope so. You okay, Laney?” He rests one hand on my shoulder. “You seem off.”

I am off, I’m so far off I don’t know which way’s up. “Ya, I’m good, thanks, though. All I need right now is a shower. I

refuse to use the team facilities.” A shiver actually shakes me just from the thought. “I have a paper to finish, too; I’ll see

ya later, Zach.”

My room is empty, thank God. I throw all my stuff down and beeline for the shower. I stay in long after I’m clean and finally get

out when the water feels like ice. I change into sweats and a tank, leaving my hair wet, and climb into bed. Bennett comes in not

long after.

“Hey, roomie, whatcha doing?”

“Just relaxing, getting ready to go to bed. How was your day?”

“Absolutely fabulous! I think I got the role I wanted in our play.” Her green eyes sparkle and I’m so happy for her. “You’ll

come to the show, right Laney?”

“Of course I will, congratulations!”

“Thank You! Tate’s so proud of me; he’s on his way over. I think he got me a present!”

She’s so excited, I don’t complain about the fact I’m in bed and would rather not have company. Nor do I want to be a third

wheel spectator, so I move to go. “I’m gonna go chill at Zach’s, ya’ll have fun.” She of course tells me I don’t have to

leave, but I do. They need this time. Lord knows, if I had a hottie coming over to bestow “you’re awesome” gifts to me, I wouldn

’t want an audience.

Of course Zach’s not in his room, but we’ve reviewed this...everyone here has a life but me. What the hell do I do now? I’m in

sweatpants, in the middle of the hall and my keys are back in the room, along with my bed. FML.

And once again...I find myself knocking on Room

114. Tate and I really should just switch rooms, except that’s not happening.

Sawyer yells “come in” so I ever so slightly open the door and peek around it. I like to see what I’m walking into before it

sees me. “Hey Laney, come in, girl. Whatcha doing?” He looks up from his game and I move in and shut the door.

“Which one’s Tate’s bed?” I ask him. “Um, that one.” He points. “Why?”

“Well, Romeo and Juliet are having private time, and I’m tired. If he’s gonna take up my room, I’m taking his bed.”