Coach nods. “He’s worked hard. He deserves it.” He turns back to Lyla. “Dinner Sunday? We can make that pasta you like.”
Lyla exhales. “Yeah. I’ll be there.”
After he leaves, she sinks into her chair with a groan.
I arch a brow. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” she sighs. “He means well. He just doesn’t get why I don’t want to use his name to get ahead.”
“Your dad is…intense.”
Lyla snorts. “Understatement of the century.” She hesitates. “Did you know I dated Beck Harrison for three months sophomore year? Dad had no clue.”
I nearly spit out my coffee. “Beck?LinebackerBeck?”
“The very same.” She smirks. “We kept it quiet because Dad would’ve lost his mind. His daughter dating one of his players? Yeah, no.”
My head spins. “Does Carter know?”
Something unreadable flickers across her face. “Carter knows everything.” There’s a weight behind her words, but before I can press, she changes the subject. “Anyway, I’ve got applications to finish. Maple donut?”
I accept the pastry, letting the conversation shift.
For the next few hours, we work, and for the first time in way too long, I feel like I’m finally showing up for my best friend.
By evening, finals have taken over, textbooks and notes scattered across the apartment. We finally cave and order pizza, but as we wait, Lyla casually drops the question I’ve been avoiding.
“So…have you talked to Jaxon today?”
“Not yet,” I admit. “He said he’d call tonight, but…”
Lyla leans back, arms crossed. “But you’re spiraling about the draft.”
I sigh. “That obvious?”
“Only to someone who knows you.” Her voice is gentle. “Look, I get it. He could end up anywhere. But if there’s one thing I know about Jaxon Montgomery, it’s that he’s all in on you, always has been.”
“I know that.” I pick at my sleeve. “But what if it’s not enough? What if?—”
“Madison.” Lyla levels me with a look. “That boy transferred schools for you. He came back even when you pushed him away. You really think a few hundred miles is gonna change that?”
I chew on my lip.
“Besides,” she adds, tilting her head. “You’re so worried about him leaving, but you haven’t even considered the alternative.”
I frown. “Which is?”
Lyla smirks. “Maybe you could go with him.”
The thought slams into me like a physical force. I haven’t considered that. I’ve spent so much time assuming I’d be left behind, it never occurred to me that maybe…I don’t have to be.
Before I can answer, my phone buzzes.
Jaxon. FaceTime.
I inhale sharply before accepting. His face fills the screen, and the second his warm brown eyes meet mine, I forget how to breathe.
“There’s my girl.” His voice is rough from exhaustion, but his signature smirk tugs at his lips, making my stomach flip.
