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“You could always do what your dad did with you. Tough love and brutal honesty can go a long way.”
I nod, knowing he has a point. “Thanks for coming out here. They really needed this pick-me-up.”
“Of course, man.” He pats me on the back. “I think I’ll crash at your place for the night. I kind of want to see how they play tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. You know the guest room practically has your name on it. You don’t even have to ask.”
He chuckles. “Oh, I wasn’t asking.”
A brilliant idea comes to mind, and I turn to my best friend. “You know, now that I think about it, I may need one more favor.”
“You’re cashing them all in, aren’t you?”
“Just about.”
I WATCH THE TIMER count down, waiting for the buzzer to sound. Even Colby is screaming so loud that you can hear the roughness in his voice.
Five, four, three, two, one.
“And that’s it!” the announcer shouts. “Haven Grace wins the game!”
The crowd behind me goes wild as all the guys on the field celebrate their monumental win against North Haven High. Not only did they win, they absolutely demolished them. The score of 41 to 7 stares me back at me from the scoreboard, reminding me of why I fell in love with football in the first place.
As the guys go in to change, I stay on the field. For the first time in almost a year, I feel connected to the game again, and I’m not exactly ready to give that up just yet.
“Well, look at you, pulling off the impossible.”
I turn my head to see Tessa walking toward me. She’s dressed in jeans and a black sweatshirt I’m almost positive isn’t hers but don’t have the balls to ask about.
“It wasn’t impossible,” I argue. “And I didn’t do anything. It was all them.”
Her grin widens. “Please. Those guys could barely run a play before you.”
I laugh because she has a point. “Yeah, well. They worked hard.”
“Aw, so the tin man does have a heart. Good to know.” She tilts her head to the side to look behind me. “Hey, Colby.” Her syrupy tone gets my hackles up instantly.
“What’s up, Tess? You’re still driving this one insane, I see.”
“Duh. It’s like my favorite sport. You two have football. I have messing with Asher.”
“Hey!” Lennon calls from the other side of the fence with Kellan and Tanner. “We’re heading out. You coming?”
She nods and turns back to me. “I’ll see you on Monday, Mr. Hawthorne.”
Despite how much I know I should look away, my attention stays solely focused on her as she goes over to her friends and hops the fence. Tanner places an arm around her, and while I know it?
??s just a friendly move, my nose scrunches at the sight.
Colby chuckles and places his hand firmly on my shoulder. “You, my friend, are so totally fucked.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
That’s a lie. I do, and he’s probably right, but I’m sure as hell not going to admit it. The second I breathe those words into existence, it all becomes way too real. Nope. They’ll stay right where they belong—the vault inside my mind.
THE FRAT HOUSE IS big enough to get lost in. The music is so loud you can hear it down the street, and people are even drinking on the front lawn. There has to be at least 300 people here, Tessa being one of them. I already peeked at her social media and saw she posted a selfie with Lennon—drinks in both their hands.
“I cannot believe you dragged my ass here.”
