Madison mutters something under her breath, shaking her head, but I catch the way her shoulders relax just a little.
After 45 minutes that seem to stretch on for hours, class is finally over, and we head to the door.
"I'll see you in the morning," I tell her, trying to hold a stern expression. "Don't be late. I charge one Twix bar an hour, ya know."
Her laugh brings a grin to my face as she turns, facing me while walking backwards. "Whatever you say, hotshot. Whatever you say."
If only it really was that simple. If only a smile and a laugh were enough to erase the uncertainty between us. If only I could tell her every time she looks at me, it makes me forget everything else.
The shower runs hot, steam curling around me as I drag my hands through my hair, rinsing out the shampoo. My muscles are sore as hell from practice yesterday, a dull ache settling deep in my shoulders, but it's a good kind of sore—the kind that means I put in the work.
Normally, I'd take my time, let the heat work out the tension, but today, I move fast.
Madison is on her way.
I run a towel through my hair before glancing in the mirror, raking my fingers through the damp strands. Good enough. It's not like I'm trying to impress her or anything.
Just a study date, Montgomery. Calm your shit.
I shake the thought away, pulling on a pair of joggers and a plain white tee before heading downstairs to the kitchen. Most ofthe house is still quiet, a few guys just starting to stir, the others already at their classes for the day.
I grab a bottle of water from the fridge, twisting the cap off just as my phone buzzes on the counter.
Mads
I'm here.
I grin, taking a sip before typing back.
Be right there.
Before I can make it to the door, a couple of my teammates beat me to it, pulling it open as they head out for class. They pause when they see Madison standing there in leggings and another oversized sweatshirt, her hair pulled into a messy bun, her hands tucked into her sleeves.
"Uh, Carter's not here," Beck says awkwardly as he leans against the door frame.
Madison blinks, then immediately looks mortified, her face turning pink as she shakes her head. "I—yeah, I know. I'm not here for Carter."
I roll my eyes, stepping past them. "She's here for me, dumbasses."
Beck whistles under his breath. "Damn, my bad."
Madison groans, crossing her arms. "You guys are impossible."
Before she can get any more flustered, I reach for her hand, my fingers closing around hers under the sleeve.
"Come on," I murmur, tugging her inside and shutting the door behind us. I don't let go as I lead her past the kitchen, past the dining table where I originally planned for us to sit, and up the stairs toward my room.
She doesn't say anything, but I can feel her hesitation in the way she drags her feet just slightly, her fingers twitching in my grip.
When we reach my door, I push it open and glance back at her. "I was gonna have us study downstairs, but…" I rub the back of my neck, suddenly feeling like maybe this was a mistake. "Is this okay?"
She shifts on her feet, glancing around my room—at the made bed, the desk with papers stacked neatly, a textbook left open, shelves with more textbooks, books, and a couple old trophies, a pair of cleats tossed near the door.
Finally, she meets my gaze.
"Yeah," she says softly. "This is okay."
I grab my notebook from my desk and drop to the floor, leaning against the edge of my bed. Madison hesitates for a second before sitting down across from me, tucking her legs under herself, her oversized sweatshirt practically swallowing her whole.
