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"Want to hang out with us, Azriel?” my brother asks.
“Sure,” Azriel agrees.
We are seated in a corner booth at the diner. Dorothy smiles and waves at me from behind the counter.
It’s a bit crowded with all the Ohio students and the fans from Colorado.
“You guys obliterated Colorado,” I tell Adam, not caring much about the win, but I want my brother to know I support him. I don’t want him to worry about how I feel that Zack was on the same team, and I’m hung up about it.
“Yeah,” Adam says with pride.
The door of the diner swings open, and Zack and several teammates walk in—a sight that sends a chill down my spine. My gaze darts around, trying to identify any of the faces from that night, but recognition eludes me.
Zack strides over. "What's up, man? "You were on fire out there," he booms, slapping Adam on the back.
I shrink in my seat.
Zack's gaze eventually finds me, and it's like a spotlight I can't escape. There's a look in his eyes—a knowing glint that sets my heart racing, dread coiling tightly in my stomach.
I force myself to look away, focusing on the saltshaker on the table, as Adam engages in a curt exchange about the game. My hands slide under the table, clasping each other to keep them from trembling.
“Who’s your friend?” Zack asks with amusement in his tone.
My eyes lift, and I realize that’s why he came over. He wants to know who Azriel is and to give him a hard time.
“I’m Azriel, but I didn’t catch your name,” he says with gravity, his gaze steady.
Azriel reaches for my hand, bringing it to the table and intertwining his fingers with mine. The gesture, both bold and comforting, anchors me, slowing my racing heart to a steadier rhythm.
Zack's gaze flickers to our joined hands, a flash of surprise crossing his features before he masks it with indifference. "Zack," he finally says, his eyes shifting between Azriel and me.
I want to throw salt in his eyes, hoping it will burn. I’m surprised at how well Azriel is dealing with him. I thought he would be nervous, but he’s calm, supportive, and collected.
“Oh, that explains a lot,” Azriel says.
Zack glances at him. A challenge in his eyes. “Explains what exactly?”
Azriel points at the large booth at the other end of the diner. Seven other football players are looking over here with smirks on their faces.
Zack glances at the table with his friends, then returns his gaze to Azriel with a smirk. “You should get that fixed. Visit a dermatologist. Your face reminds me of burnt pizza.”
“Fuck off,” I snap. “Go sit with your girlfriends. He’s not your type, Zack.”
Zack laughs, but I know he’s holding back because my brother is here.
“I think you should go, Zack,” my brother says. “I’ll catch up with you at practice.”
“It’s all good, Adam. I’m just messing with him, giving him a hard time." He looks at Azriel. "I still have a soft spot for Melody, and she knows that.” He gives me a wink and then turns to Adam. “Not coming to the party, dude?”
“Nah, I’ll pass,” Adam says in a tight voice. “I’m trying to spend time with Melody.”
My brother is two seconds from telling him to fuck off. I know he’s trying to be civil, but he knows that Zack has everything to do with me being kicked off campus. Zack and the rest of the team got what they wanted. Adam needs to be a team player. I can’t let my mistakes get in the way of his game or hinder his future.
I give Adam a grin, letting him know that I’m fine. Everything is good. I wish the lies I spilled were true. I wish I didn’t have to lie to save my brother’s dreams. I kept a secret that could destroy him, but I need to save him. Some secrets are better left unsaid, so the truth doesn’t destroy the happiness you’re trying to preserve.
“Alright, man,” Zack says, “I’ll catch you later.”
“Yeah, you do that,” Adam says in a hard tone.
