Free Reaching Rose (Hunter Hill University Book 3) by J.P. Grider Page B

switch last time I saw you. I forgot about that."
    "You're forgiven. You had other things on your mind," she jokes, before turning all serious. "Cooperate, Rose. Your mom said you haven't been. I miss you. I want you back at school."
    "School? I haven't even thought about it."
    "It's probably the best thing for you. Even if it's one or two classes to start. You can live with me and Griff."
    "Griffin?"
    "Yeah, I took him up on his offer to move into his house."
    "In his billiard room?"
    "No, no. Hurley moved out before the summer. I took his room. And then Braden transferred to Monmouth this semester, so you'd be able to have his room."
    I start to clench my fists, feeling agitated at the thought of my future. "Holly. You're...you're going too fast for me. I'm just trying to find my way back home right now."
    Seeing Holly makes me happy, but it's also making me sad and very edgy. She makes it sound so simple. It's not simple at all.
    "Well, when you’re ready...I'm gonna talk to Griffin, so...keep it in mind at least?"
    "I will. Thanks."
    "I love you, Rose," Holly says, taking me in a big bear hug, so different than she was last May.
    "Love you too, Holl."
    "They told me you have PT at one. Can I walk you there?"
    "I'd like that. Thanks."

14
     
    BEN
     
    Dinner is quiet today. For me, at least. Many of the resident patients had visitors, and Johnny and Rose were nowhere to be found. Johnny wasn’t in our room when I got back from PT, and I haven't seen him since. I thought Rose would be here, because, well, I just thought she would. Then again, maybe it was just me hoping she'd be here.
    Instead of going back in my room for the night, I put on Dumb and Dumber in the lounge area and settle in to watch. The leather recliner couches are comfortable, and there's nothing better to do. I've been ignoring texts from the guys, because they're just busting my balls about being in an old folk's home, and I don't really want to be dealing with that shit right now. So, I decide to text Holly, who I haven't talked to since the last day of summer classes.
     
    Me: Hey stranger. Whassup?
     
    About fifteen minutes later, my phone pops.
     
    Holly: Hey. Long time no see. How's the knee?
     
    Me: Good. How's school? Meet any new psych majors as interesting as me?
     
    Right away, she answers.
     
    Holly: Are u kidding? No one holds a candle to u.
     
    Me: Except that bartender of yours?
     
    Holly: Well, he's not a psych major. Jealous?
     
    Me:  A little. Lol
     
    Holly:  We'll have to get you a hot chick.
     
    Me:  Found one. Just trying to get her to notice me.
     
    Holly:  How can she not notice you? You're HOT.
     
    Me: Hot? Yeah, well, this one's got a lot of other things to deal with than some horny guy. Besides, she's...fragile.
     
    Holly:  Fragile? What's she made of...glass?
     
    Me:  No. But she has been sort of broken. I'd like to be the one to help put her back together. ;)
     
    Holly: You pansy.
     
    Me:  STFU
     
    Holly: You text your mother with that phone?
     
    Just then, Rose walks in and takes a seat on the couch adjacent to me. I text Holly.
     
    Me: Gotta go. TTYL.
     
    I shut off my phone and stick it in my pocket. Then I get up and move to Rose's couch. "I can change the movie if you want."
    "No. Dumb and Dumber is good."
    "How'd it go today?" I notice her fists aren't clenched like they were earlier.
    "Okay. Making progress."
    "I can tell. You're speaking a little louder."
    Her hand flies to her mouth. "I'm sorry."
    "No, no," I remove her hand from her mouth and keep it in mine, "you're not talking too loudly. This morning, I could barely hear you."
    She looks at our hands on the couch between us, and I wonder if I am being inappropriate, so I let her hand go.
    "So...do you go to school? High school? College?"
    Her straight, perfectly white teeth all show when she laughs. "High school? Do I look that young?"
    Thank God she's not in high school. "Well, you do look young, but I was kind of hoping you’d say