Page 6 of Ruthless Court
“Her dad said he’d make a call.”
“And the assistant at DePaul.”
“I know.”
“So keep Hannah happy until recruiting settles.”
The perfume on my wrists turns thick.
Ryan looks toward the science-wing door.
“What else am I supposed to do? I sit with her at lunch. I ride the bus to the gym. I ask about books I’m never going to read.”
Brooke covers her mouth, laughing.
Ryan smiles.
Not the one he gives me.
This one is loose.
Real.
“You should hear her when she gets started,” he says. “Yesterday, she talked forever about broken pottery.”
“It was fifteen minutes,” I whisper.
Neither hears me.
Brooke plays with the collar of his polo.
“She thinks you’re interested.”
“I deserve an award.”
Something caves in behind my ribs.
He asked questions.
Remembered details.
Told me he liked listening because I noticed things other people missed.
Every tender moment changes shape.
Not affection.
Work.
Brooke glances at the poster leaning against the bench.
“Are you seriously taking her to prom?”
“If I have to.”
“You do. Her dad needs to think you’re serious.”
Ryan looks at the sign.
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