Captured Love (The Crestwood University #3)

19. Knox

19

KNOX

T he bus rumbles beneath me as I lean against the window, scrolling through my phone. The guys are loud tonight, laughing and shoving each other in the cramped seats, but my mind is somewhere else. Well, not somewhere else—with someone else. I glance up from my phone, taking in the controlled chaos of the team bus driving down the highway. It’s nothing but another travel day for an away game in the life of the Crestwood Red Wolves.

My phone buzzes in my hand and I can't help but grin when I see who it's from.

Selene: I hope you didn’t forget to pack your teddy bear. I hear the Sparks are super intimidating.

I chuckle, imagining Selene’s smirk as she types out her text.

Me: You mean the one you gave me for Christmas? Never leave home without it.

I hit send and picture her rolling her eyes, the way she does when she's pretending to be annoyed but is actually amused. Since our “outing” at Prosecco maybe I do need to get laid. But the only person I want to hook up with is Selene. I wonder what she’s doing right now. I also wonder what is wrong with me.

Wilder must sense he’s losing me because he changes tactics. “Look, all I’m saying is that you’re wound tighter than usual. You used to be somewhat fun, man. What happened?”

“Nothing. Now drop it.”

Wilder puts his hands up as if to show he means no harm. “Fine. What I really came up to tell you was that I checked out the pool and it looks sick. You sure you don’t want to come? Might be relaxing.”

I consider it for a moment. The cool water might do my shoulder some good, and who knows, maybe blowing off some steam with the guys would help clear my head. But then I think about Selene and how every spare minute I sink into this team takes away from time I could be spending with her.

“Rain check,” I say, kicking off my sneakers. “I just need to lie down for a bit.”

Wilder shrugs and stands, stretching like a cat. “Suit yourself. Don’t die of boredom while I'm gone.” He grabs a towel and swim trunks from his bag and heads for the door.

“Wilder,” I call out just as he’s about to leave.

He turns, one eyebrow raised. “Yeah?”

“I appreciate it,” I say, not really sure what I'm thanking him for. His concern, maybe. His stupid jokes. The fact that we are sharing a room this weekend and he will have to put up with me sulking this trip.

He gives me a nod. “Don't mention it. Everything is good.” With that, he slips out the door, leaving me alone in our suite.

I sit there in silence for a few minutes before my phone makes a light noise. I reach over to grab it and check the message.

Selene: Yes, they can. And I’m interested to see how different this change will be.

Interested. That has to be a good sign, right? I start typing a response, delete it, then type something else, stare at it, and delete that too. I'm overthinking this way too much, but I don’t want to screw it up.

Then an idea comes to mind.

I sit up quickly then debate with myself before making a decision. Hearing the sound of her voice would do me better than just trading text messages back and forth. My finger hovers over her name for a moment before I press down on the screen.

Now all I have to do is wait.