“No one’s called,” Wily mumbled. “This is over.”
“Don’t say that yet,” Grady told him, then whipped his head away from the TV when Wily’s phone started ringing.
Satch let out a soft gasp while Wily’s eyes bulged. He gaped at the device on the coffee table.
“Well, answer it!” Blake screeched.
Wily looked to Satch, who gave him a calm smile. “It’s gonna be okay.” Reaching for his phone, she swiped her thumb across the screen, then handed it to him.
“Hello,” he croaked, and we all held our breath until he closed his eyes with a relieved shudder. “Thank you, sir.”
And that’s when he started crying. Not sobs, just these quiet tears that trickled down his face as he smiled and nodded.
“That means a lot. Thank you… Yeah… Yeah, I’ll work hard for you, Coach. You can count on it… Thank you.” A broad smile crossed his face. “Yes, sir.”
With a thick swallow, he hung up the phone. We were all gaping at him, desperate for news, but all he did was point at the TV screen.
“And for the two-hundred-and-twenty-seventh pick for this year’s NFL draft, the Arizona Cardinals select Wily Wilson, left guard, Nolan University.”
I’m pretty sure our cheering for this injured man was louder and longer than anything we’d heard before. Blake recorded the whole thing while we jumped around, jostling him and shouting like maniacs. His face popped up on-screen, along with a bunch of us as we congratulated our teammate on a well-deserved selection.
If he hadn’t gotten injured, he would have been way higher up in the draft, but the point was… he got picked! And I was so incredibly stoked for him.
Satch squeezed Wily tight when he hugged her, laughing and crying along with the rest of his family.
“So proud of you, shithead.” Blake climbed over Grady to get to her brother, and it was group hugs all around.
I glanced across the room, sharing a quick look with Carson, who was definitely smiling, but it wasn’t reaching his eyes.
Damn, he and Grady were really gonna feel it.
I was gonna miss my brothers too.
Raising my hands, I catch the ball Zander throws at me, then start running down the field toward the playground. Zoey is on my tail along with Grady, who is catching up fast.
I laugh, dodging left when Wily comes at me. He’s being extra careful with his knee, and we’re all avoiding tackling him, but it’s good to be out of the house on this sunny day, hanging with my Football Frat family.
Changes are definitely afoot for us, but at least we’re not being sent all over the place. Arizona’s not that far from Texas, and LA’s just a skip and a jump on from there. We’ll keep in touch, right?
We have to.
I may want to travel the world, but I need my roots to remain solid back in the USA. And these guys… this family we’ve created in Nolan, they’re part of my roots, and I never want to lose what I’ve got with them.
CHAPTER 17
DANI
The sun is shining again, and I can smell that awesome spring freshness in the air. Yes! Bring on summer, baby. This blue sky and those blossoms peeking out of the tree we just passed are putting me in a good mood, although there’s a strong chance it’s about to sour.
“What?” My steps fumble as I glance at Nix jogging beside me.
“Yeah, we talked about it last night, and after the summer break, Ricky and I are gonna move in together.” Her gleeful smile quickly dips into a look of remorse. “Sorry. I know that screws you over.”
“No.” I shake my head, sharing a silent look with Tobin, who’s running on the other side of her.
He winces, his lips pulling into a pout before he blows out a breath and slows his pace to a walk. “Jed and I were hoping to sign the lease over to both of you, but Nix, if you’re leaving…”
She stutters to a stop and lets out a huff. “I’m sorry, you guys. I’m not trying to be a pain in the ass, but things are going really well for Ricky and me. I’m ready for this next step.”
