“Don’t force anyone to be in your life. If they want to leave, let them go.”
---
~ Elizabeth ~
I don’t know how long I’ve been holding Patrick’s gaze… not until Luke finally speaks up.
“Um… I forgot to mention—one of the Tigers, Patrick, is here today, Beth,” he says, throwing me an apologetic look. “He’s here to help me with a couple of things.”
“Okay,” I reply with a small nod.
Patrick walks off to the court, ball in hand, obviously giving us the space we need. That small gesture—his thoughtfulness—I really do appreciate.
“So—”
But just then, his phone rings, interrupting whatever he was about to say.
“Sorry about that, but I gotta take this.”
I nod and watch him walk off, putting some distance between us to answer the call.
Left on my own, my eyes drift back to Patrick. I watch him bounce the ball over and over, completely fascinated. The way he holds it, controls it—it speaks volumes. He’s good. Really good.
Our eyes meet again. And just as quickly, I look away.
I wasn’t here for Patrick. I was here for Luke… right?
I glance over. Luke’s still on the phone.
Pulling out my phone, I see a text from Evie. We haven’t spoken in over twenty-four hours, and that’s weird—especially for us.
“Hey, I miss you. Can we talk?”
I nod instinctively, though she can’t see me, and a smile forms on my lips.
“Sure.”
I hit send. But before I can even lock my phone, another message pops up.
“Guessssss whatttttt?”
“What?” I text back, already feeling a bubble of excitement building in my chest—whatever it is, she’s clearly thrilled.
“I’m back home in California!”
“So soon?” I reply quickly. There are still at least five more days before school resumes. I thought she’d stay longer with her dad.
“Yes, yes… but you know… I’m excited to be back in school and all.”
For some reason, that reply doesn’t sit right with me.
“What about your dad?”
“He’s cool. He’s in the right hands—with the best doctors and nurses.”
“Okay… and?”
“Well, let’s just say I missed you and I can’t wait to reconnect.”
Again, I nod to myself and tuck my phone away.
“So… where were we?”
Luke walks back with a smile—that contagious one that somehow lifts my mood, even now.
“Well—”
But his phone rings again. He mutters a quick “I’m sorry” before picking up.
This time, the call is short. But it changes his whole demeanor.
“Okay, I’ll be there soon.”
My heart sinks.
He turns to me. “Beth—”
He doesn’t need to finish. I get it. Something urgent has come up, and whatever I had to say? Not so urgent. Not enough to matter.
“It's okay, Luke. You should get going. I won’t keep you.”
He touches my palm, gently. “Thank you.”
I nod—barely—and watch him walk away… leaving me alone with Patrick. Again.
Patrick doesn’t look my way. Doesn’t acknowledge me. Pretends I’m not here.
But does he have to?
We’re nothing. Absolutely nothing. So why does his silence affect me this much?
…
“You really shouldn’t chew your lips like that in public, you know…”
What the—?!
I nearly jump out of my skin. His voice is right by my ear, his breath fanning over it. When did he move from his spot? How did he even get this close?
There’s barely two centimeters between us.
“What—you care?” I ask, trying not to sound as nervous as I feel.
“Not really.”
I nod, awkwardly. I don’t know what to do or say. What was I even supposed to say?
We sit there in silence.
Out of the corner of my eye, I steal a glance at him. He’s looking elsewhere—and that’s when I see it.
The tattoo.
A basketball.
Evie had mentioned it once. But I’d never noticed it before.
I’ve never been a fan of tattoos. And I doubt I’d ever be okay with someone I love getting one. But staring at his… so perfectly round, so bold… I wonder—how deep must someone’s love for something go, that they’d mark themselves with it?
“You’re staring.”
My mouth falls open, caught.
“I…”
I try to defend myself, but no words come out.
“No problem.”
There’s something in his eyes for a second. Something I can’t name. But it disappears too quickly.
He stands up and stretches out a hand toward me.
“Let’s play basketball.”
I should say no.
I should find a reason to leave, to avoid whatever this strange, dangerous energy is between us.
But I don’t.
I look into his eyes—those deep, ocean-blue eyes I’ve somehow fallen in love with—and the word “no” dies on my tongue.
“Okay,” I whisper.
He smirks. “Good.”
I place my hand in his. As he pulls me up, I feel it—that sinking feeling, like I’m falling into something deep and dark.
And I can only hope someone finds me before I disappear into it completely.
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A/N: What do you think of the chapter, guys?