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“Does Dylan feel the same?”
“Stop it.” She laughs. “Where’s Wes?” Standing up, she makes a point of exaggeratedly scanning the field, changing the subject completely. “Anyone know where the new guys are?” she says to the supporters around us.
“Sit down. Geez.” I grip her jersey, pulling her into her seat, and she squeals as she falls.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought we were the type of friends that tease each other,” she sasses, bouncing her eyebrows.
My lips pull into a smirk as I shake my head. “We are. I just don’t want him to get his hopes up.”
Summer frowns, her expression turning serious. “What’s happening there, anyway?”
With a sigh, I lift my shoulders in a small shrug.I have no idea. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Sum. I want to get to know him. I’m completely drawn to him for some reason, but at the same time, I don’t think I have anything to offer right now. I don’t know how much I can give him.”
“I know you’ve been with some awful guys, but not all of them are assholes, Lucy. Just look at the two people closest to you, Dylan and Joel.”
“I know.”
She’s right.If only it was that easy.
“He seems nice.” She shrugs…and again, she’s right, but I’m still not sure what to do.
“He is nice. He’s doing all the right things and trying to get to know me. We’re, um…actually meeting up again after the game.”
“Lucy!” Summer exclaims and pulls me into a hug. I love her excitement, but I also hate it. I hate the person I’ve become lately, but I can’t seem to bring the old me back. I need to try because this isn’t the life I want to live. I’m a strong, independent woman, and I’m getting stronger. I want to be the Lucy I used to be. Well, parts of her anyway. The Lucy that always chose asshole boyfriends can stay the fuck away.
When Summer pulls back, she holds me at arm’s length and smiles. “You’ve got this. Just take it one step at a time, but judge him for who he is, not because he’s a guy in general.”Again, if only it was that easy.
Wes is a hell of a player, and difficult to look away from. In fact, if I’m completely honest with myself, seeing him on that field has me feeling things I wasn’t sure I’d feel again anytime soon. My heart races as I watch him run across the field, taking in the power in his legs as he pivots. I flinch when he slams into the opposition but find myself loving his confidence, his force, and his strength. The reserved Wes is gone; in his place is a man in full control. And yet, when he takes off his helmet and smiles up to the crowd, the guy I know shines through.
It’s anyone’s game at halftime, and I’m struggling to decide who to cheer for. San Francisco is my team, always has been, but Denver has Dylan. Summer does not feel my pain; she’s Denver all the way. “I’m happy to be a turncoat. After all, who knows how long Dyl will stay in Denver. My loyalty is with him,” she’d said as she painted the Denver colors on her face. Something I wouldn’t dare do considering where we are, but she doesn’t seem to care.
As the guys run off the field, I notice Wes scanning the crowd, looking for something, or someone…me. He has no hope considering I never told him where I’d be sitting, but he’s trying and I almost want to stand up and wave. Almost. But I’d prefer not to draw attention to myself.
“Are you still heading home tomorrow morning?” I ask Summer before the second half begins.
“Yeah, sorry. My Monday afternoon class is draining. If I miss too many, I lose marks, and I’ve already missed one after going to Denver for a long weekend.”
“I get it, and it’s okay. It’s been fun. I appreciate you coming.”
“Anytime.” She smiles. “Maybe next time you won’t ditch me for a guy.”
I’d worry if I didn’t know she was joking. But she absolutely is. Her time’s been taken up with Dylan.
Denver gets ahead late in the second half and manages to stay in front for the win. My heart hurts for Wes, but I’m so happy for Dylan. He may have only played a few minutes, but he played, and I couldn’t be prouder.
Summer and I meet him after the game for a quick chat and congratulations before I sneak away. If Summer wasn’t distracting Dylan, I’m sure I would have been questioned, but thankfully, she is.
Wes and I had texted earlier this morning to make arrangements for after the game, and agreed to meet at the beach for a walk in a couple of hours. Taking my time to get ready, I smile as a giddy nervous energy runs through me. It’s a new feeling. All my past relationships have begun after a hookup. Things just kind of progressed without me giving it much thought. Whereas this—the excitement…the anticipation…the nerves—it’s a first, and I kind of like it. It’s definitely helping me to focus my energy on the good in life rather than the hell I’ve been living in lately.
I’m halfway through getting ready when my phone starts ringing, and Wes’s name pops up on the screen, bringing a smile to my face. I don’t know why, but I’m confident this is not a call to cancel our plans.
“Can’t wait another forty minutes to see me?” I say, instead of a normal greeting.
“No, I can’t. Are you ready yet? I’m already on my way to meet you.”
A huge grin adorns my face as I shake my head. “How? Don’t you have the media to deal with?”
“I volunteered to go first. Something I’ve never done.” He pauses before whispering, “I think I made a few of them suspicious.”
