“You bet we are. Wouldn’t miss it.”
“The Florida game, right?”
I cross my fingers and hold my breath, only releasing it when Cade calls out, “The price is wrong, B,” quoting his favorite movie without annoying my dad with his language.
“Of course, we’re watching LA and San Francisco,” Dad confirms. “I’ve kept up with Zane’s career and it’s his first game back after…” I close my eyes, my chest constricting at the mention of Zane’s name, and it takes me a second to realize Dad stopped talking.
I open my eyes and wince. He noticed.
“Sorry.”
“No, Blair. I’m sorry. It can’t have been easy seeing Zane again.”
The tightness in my chest thickens. It’s odd hearing Dad talk about him again after spending so many years avoiding the topic.
“I promise, I’m good,” I lie as convincingly as I can. “Let’s talk football. What are we thinking?”
Dad barely hesitates before launching into his thoughts about the games this weekend, with Cade and me offering our opinions. And when we get to the game of the moment, Dad and Cade pause.
“How was Nathan feeling when he left and during the week?” Dad asks, his expression so serious that I laugh. “Come on, Blair. We need to know… Was he confident?”
“He’s always confident; you should remember that from his Florida days.”
“You’re right. Okay, well, I think—”
“Wait,” Cade interrupts. “What Dad really wants to ask is…did the dick mention Zane?”
“Cade!” both Dad and I yell at the same time.
“Sorry, I’ll rephrase my question. Is Nathan freaking out about going up against Zane for the first time since his freshman year in college?”
My muscles tense but I fight hard not to appear affected.
“If he is, he didn’t mention it.”
“Hmmm. Okay.” Cade brushes his chin with his fingers. “I’m going to say San Francisco for the win. 24 to 14. Zane to score the first touchdown.”
“Wai—”
“That’s close to what I was thinking,” Dad speaks over me. “I’m calling it at 27 to 10 and I think it’ll be Wilder that gets the first touchdown but Zane will dominate in the second half.”
“Yes!” Cade snaps his fingers. “I like it. What are you thinking, sis?”
I groan, no longer able to hide my pain. It was so much easier when they supported the team my boyfriend played for. “Well, obviously I’m picking LA for the win.”
“Really?” Cade frowns, his expression making me laugh.
“Why is that so hard to believe? They won their first game and—”
“They got their asses handed to them last week. I’ll bet their confidence is down. Especially considering how well San Francisco has been playing.”
“I’m supporting LA.”
“We know. We can tell by your hideous jersey.” Cade turns up his nose, and I roll my eyes. “That wasn’t the question.”
I glance at Dad, hoping he’ll save me but he looks away. Four years of birthday celebrations, Thanksgiving lunches, and Christmases. Four years of Nathan proving that he’s a good guy and that he loves me. And my parents still don’t like him, because Cade and Zane got in their heads. It was a football rivalry that turned personal, but it was years ago. They all need to move the fuck on.
“I think LA will win. 17 to 14 But I think Cade’s right that Zane will score the first touchdown.” As much as it pains me to admit it out loud.
