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"Oh" I turn to find hi to do with you," I say, even though it is

He takes his cap off, stuffs it in his back pocket and steps toward o with me?"

"Yes," I whisper, and s I find his eyes He takes a step closer I take a step closer

"So let’s go together"

I glance at his lips, he sThe smell of apple wafts under etting to know you better and…I want to try for so more"

"With me?"

He nods "I wasn’t sure at first, you know, if I wanted to pursue so serious with you" He moves a step closer--so close his breath warms my cheek "But I do"

"You do?" I ask softly

His hand slides onto my hip "Yeah"

It’s what I’ve wanted A relationship with a guy I can trust A good friend An equal He ainst my chest I’ve never wanted to kiss someone this much in my life His other hand settles on ers inside his loose sweatshirt sleeves, ether; I can feel his pulse

Will leans in toward ainst my nose, and I want this to happen but it can’t I step back, and he stumbles forward

"I can’t do this until I talk to Drew"

He rights hi embarrassed, then confused "Bates?"

"Yeah"

He scratches his nose "Whatever you need…but you’re not ?"

"No no no" I shake ht in the eye

"I would’ve asked you out a long ti real" His voice stu real too, but I need to do some stuff first, okay? Trust me?"

Will slides a hand onto my shoulder "I can wait"

"Thanks" I slip ins to lean his forehead toward h

I jerk away fro his lips He secures his bat under an arm

"You told me you weren’t interested in her, Whitfield," Brian says God, he looks so pissed

"Nothing’s going on," Will says quickly

"Not sure I believe you, but anyway, I don’t think this is the time or place for this, okay?" He points from me to Will

"Okay, Coach," Will says

"Coach Burns told Parker that she isn’t allowed to date players and still be a er," Brian replies "You’re excused, Whitfield"

"But--"

"You’re excused"

Will glances at me, then walks out of the equiplances over his shoulder and shuts the shed door "What’s going on, Park?" he whispers, setting his bat against the wall

"Will askedmy hands and bitetoward me

"No I said no For now"

"For now?"

"I said I’d think about it"

He lets out a h and shakes his head "God, I’ involved with soh--"

"I’ve been trying to talk to you about what I want and what I need, and you never listen--"

"Because nothing’s at stake for you! My whole life is on the line here, Parker For you! Because I like you--"

"If you really liked me, you’d listen--"

"If you really likedonand--"

"I didn’t even knoe’re in a relationship You said we can’t date for real, and I don’t knoe are--"