Free Hard to Hold On by Shanora Williams

without feeling bad about it. At this very moment, I’m single and so is he.
    I know he’ll come around. He has to. I’m not sure what I would do if I knew he was with another chick while we’re on a break. I would feel as if he never loved me in the first place if he moved on that fast. I can’t do it to him. I’ll wait a little longer for him to come around and call me again. He gave up on calling a few days ago when he realized I wasn’t going to answer but if he calls again, I’m actually going to settle our differences. I’m going to figure out what made me fall in love and tell him exactly how I feel.
    As soon as Professor Doran wraps up his lesson, I grab my notebook, toss my satchel over my shoulder, and then step around the table to get out the door. I don’t even make it outside before the familiar voice calls my name. Turning slowly, I watch as Tyler jogs his way towards me, his books tucked beneath his right arm. He comes up closer than I would like and I take a step back, waiting for him to speak.
    “You said you can press “play” at any time but the time hasn’t come yet.” He looks me over and I fidget under his glare, pulling my notebook against my chest. “I think it would be nice to get to know one another. We don’t have to go to extreme measures. I’ve just watched you mope for the past week and since I think I know the reason why you’ve been so down, I thought I could make you smile a little—I know it’s probably weird and out of the blue to you but . . . I don’t know. I just thought it would be worth it to make someone’s day.” He grins and it causes me to reveal all of my teeth as well. “I’m just a genuine guy,” he shrugs. “My father raised me right. What can I say?”
    “Well I’m sorry but I’m having a little girl time with my best friend tonight.”
    “Doesn’t have to be tonight,” he says, shifting on his feet. “Maybe tomorrow night or the night after that?”
    “I’ll have to think about it,” I say, smiling softly before turning around. I push out of the glass doors and head for my car but a rustling comes to my side. Looking to my left, there’s the consistent Tyler again.
    He stops me and I want to tell him to go away as nicely as I can but as he grabs my hand to place a ripped sheet of paper in the palm of it, my words catch in my throat. “Just think about it,” he says, his voice humming through to my core. My belly heats and I know it’s bad to feel but he’s so damn hot . . . and he’s a chaser. Goodness, what the hell is up with me and chasing-ass men. “If you and your guy are still on a pause by the end of this week, give me a call. Consider it. Don’t just blow it off. I think you deserve to smile again. Sadness doesn’t look good on you. Happiness looks way better.”
    We stare at one another for a few seconds longer before he finally takes a step back, winks, and then walks towards the entrance of the school to get inside again. I watch as his hips swing beneath his snug jeans, the way his broad shoulders move slowly but confidently. Taking a look over his shoulder, he notices that I’m still staring and smiles charismatically before reaching the door.
    My heart pounds against my chest and through my ears. My nerves are stirring around inside of me but instead of dwelling on it, I tuck the paper into my back pocket and dash for the parking lot to get to my car and as far away from Tyler Stokes as I possibly can.

Chapter Ten

    Nolan

    This is the plan. Sell my mom’s house, give away some of her belongings, pawn what’s most valuable for some quick change, and then move back to Miami with Mills. The reason behind this plan is Natalie. I gave up on calling her a few days ago because it was starting to piss me off but the same night I came up with the idea that I’ll surprise her. I know she misses me because I miss her like hell. Since we’ve split up I’ve felt nothing but incomplete. I don’t feel whole without her.