She wasmine.
It had taken me far too long to realize it, but I’d do whatever it took to earn that place in her life. To be the man she trustedenough to always keep her safe. The one lucky enough to be allowed to love her.
And the one who finally deserved her.
Everything had changed.
I just had no idea how much at the time.
15
BLAKE
By the time I got back to the apartment, I practically vibrated with pent-up excitement. I resisted the urge to text Adam as soon as I walked out of Coach’s office through sheer force of will.
I managed to hold off only because I wanted to share the good news in person with the two most important people in my life.
“Addie! Adam, where are you guys?” I called out as soon as I opened the door. “You’ll never guess what happened!”
When no response came, I set my stuff down in the entryway. I didn’t think anything of it, assuming Adam had his headphones on, and Addie might be sleeping. I detoured into my room to grab the picture on my mirror.
It was of the three of us in high school.
Mrs. B had taken it after the last home game of my season during junior year. I had my arms around their shoulders, reaching up on the side with Adam as I pulled Addie into my chest with my other arm. She had her arms wrapped around my waist, and the three of us had the biggest smiles on our faces.
That night, a college scout had been at the game. He’d seen me play and told me I should consider applying to D'Arthur University the following year.
It had been the first time the dream of playing football as a career had felt possible.
They’d been right there to share it with me.
After checking to make sure my hair looked okay, and knowing exactly why I cared so much, I pulled the picture off the mirror and tucked it into my wallet. I walked out through the living room and straight across to Addie’s open door.
But her room was empty.
I double checked the bathroom, but that door was open, too, and the light was off.
Disappointment mixed slowly with dread in my gut, but I shook it off. Maybe she’d wanted a fresh start, like she’d talked about with Tessa that time before Sunday dinner. I’d come home early, overheard her, and spent the rest of the night with her words ringing in my head.
If they’d gone out to get new stuff for her, I’d be able to tell them the news once they got home while we helped her set up her new space.
Just to be sure, I ran up the stairs to Adam’s loft. He wasn’t there, but the sparse collection of items he left out assured me my theory remained intact.
The wind effectively died in my sails, but I pushed a breath out past my pursed lips and trudged down to the living room to get a snack while I waited.
Adam’s muffled voice caught my ear, right as I sat down. “I don’t know, Mom…”
I jumped up from the couch and made my way to the small patio balcony attached to our living room.
When I opened the door, Adam turned toward me, and his expression amplified my unease.
Lifting my hands in question, I mouthed, “What’s wrong?”
He jerked his chin toward Addie’s room, responding to something his Mom said on the phone. “Will you call me and let me know?”
I couldn’t hear what she said on the other line, but after Adam had called to fill his parents in on what had happened lastnight, they must have needed an update. That didn’t answer the question of where Addie had gone, though.
My fingers drummed an impatient beat along my forearm while I waited.
