Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
REAGAN
“So he says that to you and…then what?” Mack asks after I spilled everything that happened a few nights ago. After my dinner with Drew and late-night shooting with Riggs, my mind is a jumbled mess. To say I was shocked by Riggs’s impromptu confession is an understatement.
“I think he was going to kiss me, but then his phone rang. His dad needed help, and he had to go home. Mack, the look on his face when he saw who was calling was terrifying. I would hate to be living in fear that anytime my phone rang, it could be someone on the other side telling me my father was dead.”
“That would be so hard. Is his dad okay now?”
“Yeah, he just had a bad dizzy spell. I haven’t talked much to Riggs since then, though,” I admit.
“Why not?”
I’m not sure I have the answer to that question. “It’s like he doesn’t know what to say to me. But I also think he’s so busy with the first week of practice and helping his parents that there isn’t enough time for me. I don’t know. Plus, there is the whole Drew factor.”
“Can I just say that I’m grateful the boy drama is all about you today and not me,” Mack says with a laugh. She’s right, though. We usually talk about her and Trey because my love life has been almost nonexistent.
Groaning, I give a short laugh. “I’m glad you and Trey are good. But I really hate that I’m in this situation. Two amazing guys have my attention. I feel like I’m in some sort of alternate universe.”
“Reagan, I get it. I’m not surprised, though. You are amazing, and it’s about time these boys get it together and pursue you.”
“I guess,” I tell her honestly.
“Tell me about things with Drew?”
I blush a little at the mention of his name, just like throwing myself back into high school.
“Drew is still the charming, funny guy he was in high school, but there’s more to him than I thought. He’s been through so much more than he should have as a teenager, and he’s stronger for it.”
“It’s great that he’s finally stepping into the good guy role instead of the playboy persona from high school. How are things between you two?”
I think about this for a moment before I answer.
No one has talked to me about Drew, and I haven’t brought up seeing him to my parents.
My family wouldn’t understand, and my brother has made it clear he won’t talk about Drew.
Mackenzie is the only one who knows Drew from before, so it’s nice to be able to share with her.
“He makes me laugh. We’ve had fun talking, catching up, and reminiscing about our high school days. Hearing his whole story was really enlightening for me. The chemistry is there. I don’t have much to compare, but I felt a spark when we kissed.”
“Aw, that sounds so sweet. Just be careful. It sounds like you and Drew are reliving high school. Like it’s some nostalgia trip down memory lane. Are you guys talking about things now or the future?”
Her words are a bit of a reality check. Reflecting on our interactions so far, we have touched on a few of those subjects, but I need to do better at focusing on Drew now.
“Thank you for being honest with me,” I tell her, just as my phone beeps with an incoming call.
“Speak of the devil, Drew is calling. I gotta go. Love you, Mack.”
“Love you, Rea!”
My nerves flitter as I accept his call. “Hi, Drew.”
“Rea Rea, I was just thinking about you and had to hear your voice.”
“That’s an awfully smooth line, Mr. Cole.”
Laughing, he answers, “Not a line, beautiful. It’s the truth. Can I take you somewhere today?”
I grin to myself, knowing this is a chance for me to focus on what Mack talked about, the Drew now.
“Of course.”
“I’ll pick you up after practice, around six?”
“Sounds perfect.”
“See you tonight, beautiful.”
“Bye, Drew.”
Even though I still don’t have a clear direction on where things are going, I’m going to let myself take a chance. I just hope I don’t end up regretting it this time.