Chapter 7: Car Confessions

After dinner, she wanted Logan to stay longer. I refused her odd idea. “Team housing has curfew, and they do athletic department check-ins. What if he gets flagged?”

“Can’t you ask a roommate to cover?”

Logan scratched his head behind me. “Ma’am, that’s not appropriate.”

Mom pretended to scold, “Eh?! What’s inappropriate? It’s fine.”

I still blocked her. “Mrs. Brooks, you were once an excellent teacher, how come after retirement you ignore everything?”

She rolled her eyes, muttered about how I never listen.

I drove Logan back to campus.

At the dorm, I parked and turned off the engine.

We both stayed still, watching students pass by in front of the car.

Only the sound of breathing, but listening closely, Logan’s breath wasn’t steady.

After a long time, I finally spoke. “Go back, it’s late.”

Logan didn’t move.

In the dark, he called me:

“Autumn.”

“Mm?”

“You’re staying in Silver Hollow, right? Not leaving?” His tone hinted at something.

“Not leaving.”

“Oh.” Logan’s voice softened.

“Does it matter to you?” I countered.

I’m always so direct.

Then, I heard Logan seriously answer: “Yes.”

“Why does it matter?”

“I looked for you back then, but your medical team left too fast.”

“Why were you looking for me?”

“I was your first,” he said, not bragging, just honest.

“So? What do you want to say? It’s been four years. Did you look for me because you want to date me?”

“Yes.”

One word after another.

I was speechless, felt a headache, thinking I should quickly end this one-day boyfriend service.

“Alright, go up. I’ll tell customer service the service is over, no refund.”

That’s a clear dismissal.

Soon, I heard the seatbelt click open. Saw a hand on the door handle, but it paused.

“The day after tomorrow is the college basketball final, I’m playing. I’d really like you to come.”

He sounded hopeful, almost shy.

I had a specialist meeting over the weekend, busy all day. By the time I picked up my phone, it was already dark. There was an Amazon customer service reminder asking for a review.

I clicked in, slowly gave positive ratings one by one, even added, “Good person, good service, will come back if needed.”

Exited Amazon, opened Messenger, found lots of unread messages.

Logan Carter (one-day boyfriend—Marketplace listing) was at the top, three messages, the latest ten minutes ago.

“Autumn, what are you doing?”

“Autumn, thanks for the five-star review.”

Seeing this, I couldn’t help but twitch my mouth. Is he silly?

“[Image]”

I opened it. It was the match schedule. Logan highlighted his game in a red box.

Tomorrow morning at ten, Silver Hollow University vs. Tech University.

Morning... I seem to be free.

Logan messaged again, “Will you come?”

“Depends on my schedule.” Sent that, then typed, “What position do you play?”

“Power forward.”