Rae of Sunshine (Light in the Dark 1)

“Nothing? Do you want there to be something?” No way was I letting her get off that easy. Not with the way she pestered me with questions about my nonexistent relationship with Cade.

“Yes. No. I don’t know,” she shrugged. “It’s weird, because we’re friends, but he’s Cade’s best friend. We grew up together and I don’t think he sees me like that. I’m just Cade’s sister to him.”

I begged to differ. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and trust me you’re not just Cade’s sister to him.”

She turned her gaze to me, her eyes full of hope. “Really?”

I nodded and let the subject drop.

We’d finished eating and had wadded up our trash when they players came back out on the field.

Thea became even more energetic as the game progressed, which was saying something since she’d been bad enough before.

When the score tied Thea grasped my hand so tightly it went numb.

In the final seconds of the game, Cade was sprinting across the field with the football cradled in his arm. His long legs almost seemed to blur as he ran.

I found myself standing up, and chanting, “Go! Go! Go!”

Thea grasped my hand and then we were both screaming as guys tried to knock him down.

When Thea screamed in my ear with excitement I knew Cade had made it. “He did it! Go Cade! That’s my brother!” She pointed, but no one could hear her. Everyone in the stadium seemed to be screaming.

Cade’s team ran over to him and the scoreboard flashed.

We’d won.

I didn’t know why but my blood roared at that. This football thing could be addicting and fun when I had someone to cheer for.

“Aren’t you glad you came now?”

Yes. Yes, I was. “It was okay.”

“Whatever, Rae.” Thea rolled her eyes.

The stands began to slowly empty out, but the energy level was still high. I was sure there were bound to be lots of celebratory parties popping up along campus. People would want to draw out this win for as long as possible.

“Think you’ll come to another game?” She asked, a knowing smile on her lips. I wasn’t fooling her. Not at all.

“Maybe,” I shrugged, as we walked back to our dorm. I was a little bummed that I wasn’t going to see Cade, but I didn’t let that show. I knew he probably had a lot of stuff to do with his team. “I’d love to bring my camera next time.”

She grinned. “So there will be a next time?”

I groaned. I hadn’t meant to let that slip out. “Yeah, there will probably be a next time.”

She smiled, clasping her hands together as she danced ahead of me humming pleasantly under her breath.

For a moment, I was envious of Thea. I wished I could see the world as beautiful and simple as she did. I used to. Now I just saw the darkness and the pain that lurked around every corner.

nine

I didn’t know what to wear.

Shocker.

But seriously, what did one wear on a non-date? I guessed I should dress like I normally did, but that seemed too easy.

I tapped my fingers against my lips.