Or maybe, one person.
The house is quieter than usual, Carter’s music playing faintly from his room the only thing breaking the silence. Boxes and duffel bags are scattered across the floor of my bedroom, half-packed, half-forgotten as I sit on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall.
I should be excited.
Pro Day is around the corner, and the draft is coming up fast. My entire future is unfolding in front of me, just like I always imagined.
And yet, it all feels…off.
Like something’s missing.
Like I’m leaving behind more than just a college football career.
I exhale sharply, shaking my head before forcing myself to move. I throw a few more shirts into my duffel, zip it up, then sling it over my shoulder before walking down the hall.
Carter’s door is open, his suitcase sitting half-packed on the bed. He’s rifling through a drawer, tossing random stuff inside without much thought.
“You almost ready?” I ask, leaning against the doorframe.
“Yeah,” he mutters, shoving a handful of socks into his bag before looking over at me. “You?”
I nod. “Just about.”
Carter watches me for a second, then tilts his head slightly. “You heading straight to the airport tomorrow or making any stops first?”
I know exactly what he’s asking, and for a second, I consider lying. I consider brushing it off, saying no, saying I’m good, saying there’s nothing left for me here.
But I can’t.
Because she’s always there, just beneath the surface of every decision I make, every thought I have.
I roll my shoulders, adjusting the strap of my bag. “Gonna swing by my parents’ house before I head out.”
Carter raises a brow, nodding slowly. “And…are you gonna say goodbye to anyone else while you’re at it?” His voice is casual, but we both know this isn’t a casual question.
I exhale through my nose, clenching my jaw. “Not my call to make.”
Carter sighs, rubbing a hand over his face before leaning against his dresser. “Come on, Jax.”
I shake my head, already knowing where this is going. “I’m not chasing her anymore.”
Carter scoffs. “You never chased her, man. You showed up for her. You fought for her. That’s not the same thing.”
I drop my bag onto the floor, dragging a hand down my face. “And where did that get me?”
Carter doesn’t answer, because we both know where it got me—alone, standing on the sidelines of my own damn life, waiting for her to decide if I’m worth fighting for too.
I let out a slow, controlled breath, shaking my head. “I love her, man. I do. But I can’t keep being the only one trying.”
Carter studies me, his expression unreadable. “So that’s it?”
I swallow hard, my throat tightening. “That’s up to her.”
Carter doesn’t argue. He just nods like he understands. Because at the end of the day, I can’t make this decision for her.
She has to make the move.
And as much as it fucking kills me, I know—Iknow—I have to let her.
