Page 119 of Breakaway Hearts

She nods, like I hopefully made her feel better, then takes a breath like a weight has been lifted. I’m feeling pretty good about myself when she looks me straight in the eye and asks, “Is Madison your girlfriend?”

I almost choke on my ice cream, but the look of excitement on her face at the prospect hits me in the feels.

“She’s my friend who’s a girl,” I tell her, getting an exaggerated eye roll, but I’m just glad I can call Madison a friend at this point.

“Ah,” she says knowingly. “Noah had one of those, too. Her name’s Savannah.”

Sav, who walked over during this interaction, nearly spits out her drink.

“I just remembered…” I turn as though to leave.

“No, don’t go,” Izzie pleads. “I can pretend I buy it.”

I shake my head at her, but there isn’t much I can do when she gives me that smile.

“I won’t tell a soul.” Sav crosses her fingers, I think to mean scout’s honor rather than to negate the promise.

“Sav said she’ll bring me to a game this week.” Izzie changes the subject for me.

“I’ll give her a jersey for you,” I assure her.

“Not that I don’t love them, but I’m still growing, and I already have a bunch,” Izzie argues.

“But Noah isn’t on the team anymore,” I point out.

“True. I’ll take a Donovan, if you have it. Or Beckford if you don’t.”

I quirk my head at her, but she looks at me both like she has no idea why that bothers me, and she’s daring me to call her on it.

“Your wish is my command,” I relent.

“Thank you!”

Chapter Forty-Seven

Owen

I can’t

“Alvarez, the salad⁠—”

“Has no onions.”

“And the chicken?” I turn to Colt.

“Stuffed with chives and spring onion and⁠—”

“Don’t be a dick,” Donovan warns. “Brooksy is nervous his girl is finally coming over to see us.”

“As Jason’s guest, not mine,” I specify. Because she did.

“Would you be inviting her as yours if she wasn’t?” David asks.

“She said no,” Colt supplies unhelpfully.

“Thanks, asshole,” I grumble, way more nervous than this warrants, but I don’t want it to be a one-time thing. I want everything to go so well she comes every week.

Or at least doesn’t see it as torture.