Look out for the <>!

The next day, I rubbed my newly calloused hands. Black soil still clung under my fingertips as if their life depended on it. As I picked at my nails, my mind drifted back to my time on the farm. There was something so relaxing about it but yet my body was still sore from the work I did. Everett's father was nice yet Everett seemed cold and stiff. Between the glances and inside jokes, his dad wanted to talk to Everett but he seemed to shut it down every time.

"So Nora, what happened yesterday? You got home late," Dad asked as we drove to practice.

"Nothing much, just worked on his dad's farm for the day," I shrugged as the Woody came into view.

"He doesn't really talk much about his old man. What's he like?"

"Friendly. And a diehard OSU football fan."

"And I've never met him? Now what kind of blasphemy is that? Such a shame!"

And there was a reason for that. Everett never brought him around for a reason, probably a thousand reasons.

"Yeah. It is," I mumbled as Dad pulled into a parking spot. Instantly my eye locked with Everett who waited at the front doors like he normally did.

With a smile, I waved to him from the car.

"Just a heads up, Charles is coming again for practice," Dad mentioned carefully as he got out of the car.

My eyes darted to his before looking back at Everett. "Does he know?"

"Told him before we left the house."

I nodded, knowing there wasn't anything else I could say. "Ok." With that, I got out of the car and ran to greet Everett, wrapping my arms around him.

"Hey. Morning," he said with the smell of coffee thick on his breath.

"Morning." I smiled up at him.

"Wasn't sure I would see you today after all the work we did yesterday."

I shrugged even though the simple motion caused aches to run down my back. However as sore as I was, I wouldn't change it for the world. I even thought about doing it again. Crazy, I know.

"Your girl is tougher and fitter than you think," I said as I lifted my arms to show my muscles.

He smiled. "I can see that."

"Everett! You never told me your old man liked football," Dad said as he walked up to us.

Everett dropped his hands around my waist and gave a nod. "Yeah, he's a fan."

"You should bring him in after practice one of these days. I'll give him a grand old tour."

"That's kind of you. I'll relay the message."

Dad patted him on the back then left. His shoes echoed the floor and as he walked into the building.

In the silence of the early morning, Everett turned to me. He opened his mouth then closed it as his eyes glanced around us, making sure the coast was clear. "I reached out to my professor who has contact with the Columbus dispatch," Everett said.

I raised my eyebrows. I didn't know he would do such a thing. We hadn't talked much about our action plan, so it surprised me how he did this on his own. Maybe he had thought about writing an article for a while. "And?"

"I've already received an email from them. They want to run the article."

My hand met his and gave it a squeeze. "And you want this, right?"

He gave a tired sigh then nodded. "I'm sure of it."

"Ok then," I said as my phone buzzed, reminding me of the classes I would be now late to. "As much as I want to talk about this, I have to go. I'll be back later. We will talk then." I kissed him one more time.

"Can you skip them to be with me?" he asked, brining me into his arms once again.

I smiled into his shoulder, breathing him in. "As much as I would like to, I can't. School's calling and I need to keep my grades up."

He let go of me with a slight frown. His shoe pushed a rock around on the pavement before looking back at the Woody. "Who's going to stop me from exploding on him?"

"I'll be back soon. I promise." I gave one more kiss before I turned on my heals, walking off to my morning classes. A prayer reverberated through my skull, hoping Everett could keep his cool. Another fight was the last thing that I wanted between the two.

___________________________

With my head held high, I walked towards class. I tried to focus on the upcoming test, however I felt my mind drifting to the conversation with Everett. There was things Everett wanted to say, things I should have said, but instead, I put a pin in the discussion. Fear filled my mind. Maybe I should have stayed a moment longer.

"Hey, Nora! Wait up!" Shelly called out to me as I walked towards class.

I turned to him and smiled. "Hey. You know, I shouldn't wait for you after you told my dad I swore."

Shelly's smile fell off his face as he realized dad threw him under the bus. His pace slowed as he scratched the back of his neck.

"Yeah, he told me. Keep in mind I could seek revenge, but I'm choosing not to. Remember that."

He gave a sigh then picked up his pace to keep up with mine. "You're a saint, Nora."

I shrugged as Knowlton hall came into view. I stopped at the corner of the street and quickly crossed the road when the coast was clear. "I know I am."

Shelly followed me. "So, are you ready for the test?" he asked, holding the door open for me.

"Probably. And you?"

"I think so. The professor's tough though."

I chuckled as I readjusted my backpack. "At least he gives you a little bit of slack since he's a lover of the team."

"Honest, that's the only way I survive."

A chuckle escaped my lips as I sat down in my normal seat. "Why am I not surprised by that?"

"Does anything surprise you?"

With a smirk, I shook my head.

"That's what I thought."

My smile slid off my face as the professor walked in. "shit," I mumbled as all the things I studied flew from my mind. It was as if I hadn't spent hours reviewing the subjects.

"I'll not tell coach about that, and we can be even," Shelly whispered as he got a pen from his backpack.

This was not the time to talk about such things. I could care less about the swear jar. The test was the most important thing I could focus on. I glared at him.

"Gosh, Nora, I was just joking."

"Were you though?" I asked as the professor started to give instructions about the test.

_____________________________________

As I walked back into the Woody, the test was still on my mind. I was sure it wasn't as bad, but the thought of getting less than a B was enough to obsess over it.

"Hey, Nora! What's up!?" Tad asked as he ran up to me with a grin. With his clothes a in a wrinkled mess, I wondered who he just hooked up.

"Hey. How has the day been so far?"

"Not bad. I think Everett is looking for you. He has started reaching out to me every time he can't find you."

I smirked at the thought. A lot has changed since the summer. Maybe one day Everett would be friends with Tad. Or maybe they would just tolerate each other. "That's cute."

"Yeah, so cute. Just tell him I sent you his way."

"Sure. I'll see you later Tad," I said as I walked off.

"I better," he called out to me, bringing a smirk to my face.

"Nojo!" Dad called out to me, stopping me.

I smiled as I gave a wave. "Hey. Have you seen Everett?"

"I'm behind you," Everett's voice rang out.

Without wasting a moment, I turned on my heels to face him. Quickly I scanned his eyes to sense his mood. A softened scowl told me he was upset, but I wasn't sure what else was brewing behind his eyes.

"I'll talk to you later," dDd said as he tapped on my shoulder then left us alone in the hall.

Everett stubbed his foot on the smooth concrete floor then looked at me.

"How was practice?"

"Terrible."

My heart ached for him. Instinctually I grabbed his hands and gave them a squeeze. "I'm sorry."

"Your dad kept us apart, but that wasn't enough. Just having him in the same space causes my stomach to tie into knots." Everett looked down the hall then back at me. He took a deep breath in and let it out.

"You can't be in this situation."

"I don't have a choice, not until the town knows what Charles has done."

I nodded. "So the article...." I asked in a hushed voice. The last thing I needed was word getting out about this. I was sure Everett wanted the same.

"Ah... yeah."

"I want to know details."

"They want to meet with me, in person. There's a lot they want to talk about."

"Have you set something up?"

He shook his head. "Not yet. But I will."

"Can you let me know when you find out details? I want to know."

"You will be the first I'll tell."