No one could have known that I had a crush on Harper Maxwell in high school. So the fact that Troy asked her out halfway through senior year, was coincidence.

I had to believe that.

“I heard about Annie, Harp, I’m so sorry.” My voice was low and a little gruff, but it was only because it bothered me that she didn’t know who this was coming from.

“It’s fine,” she shook her shoulder casually, then added, “thank you.”

It wasn’t fine. I didn’t know if she was just holding back because she wasn’t alone or if she was just used to fighting emotion.

I pulled out my phone at the vibrating sound.

Ryan: What’s the story? Am I telling coach that Troy is MIA?

Me: I’m on my way.

Ryan: Good. Be ready to suit up.

I gave Harper the directions Ryan texted me for the side entrance so I wouldn’t be caught by the incoming crowd.

“Pull up at that blue door, Ryan said he sent someone.”

She pulled to a stop by the door where two men were waiting. As soon as she put the car in park, the two split, racing to either side of the vehicle, swinging our doors open.

“Come on, let’s go.” The one pulling open my door urged. Harper began to argue, since she clearly wasn’t planning on staying, but with the overhead speakers that the game was about to start on the side of the building, she wasn’t heard.

Instead, one pointed to the parking lot and mouthed something before driving off with her car.

“Wha—”

“It’s fine, I’ll get the keys back to you later. Come on.” I took her hand, feeling that same spark from when I’d touched her on the street. She’d never know that at one point in my life, I’d have died to hold her hand this way. For her arm and right side of her body clinging to me for safety the moment I reached for her.

As opposed to now, where I’d just about do anything to not feel those same things.

With no time for explanation, the two of us were forced to follow the taller ninja up two flights of stairs and one extra-long hallway that I remembered led to the locker room.

Ryan stood in front it, waiting. He held up two thumbs and ran the other way. “Change. I need to let Coach know you were in bumper to bumper on the Brooklyn Bridge.”

“I’ll show you to your seat.” The guy who’d brought us up pointed to a set of double doors that led to the arena.

“I don’t have a seat,” she replied.

He glanced at me and I explained. “He’ll…take you to my seats, you can watch the game from there.”

Harper blinked. “Your seats?”