After Friday night with Ford, I haven’t stopped thinking about him. Not like that’s much different than lately anyway, but instead of being lustful thoughts, they’re now more emotional. Like, I’m almost even more nervous to tell Chase now because what if he absolutely hates the idea of Ford and I together? How would I even handle a situation where the man I’m in love with and my brother end up hating each other?
Summer’s timing is always impeccable as my phone rings mid freak out mode with all of these thoughts now swirling in my head.
“I can’t wait to see you!” she says as I answer.
“I’m counting down the hours.” Naturally, she can sense some kind of conflict in my voice.
“What’s the matter?” I haven’t actually talked to Summer on the phone in weeks, so the last thing she knows is Ford’s whole love confession and the fact that we’re now trying to actually be more than just friends with benefits.
“I think I’m in love with Ford!” I blurt out, throwing myself back on the bed like a toddler having a tantrum.
“Yes… and?” Summer’s tone is flat and direct, as if what I’m saying isn’t brand new information to her.
“What do you meanyes... and?”
“Okay, well you’ve done a shit job at hiding that if that was your goal.” The great thing about best friends is they know you so well. The annoying thing about best friends is also that they know you so well.
“I don’t know how to tell Chase. Hell, I haven’t even told Ford yet. It feels like I’m overthinking this, but at the same time, this is a big thing so overthinking it doesn’t sound like it should be a problem, right?” My head is spinning just thinking of these conversations I need to have with the two of them.
“Abby, listen. Are you happy?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation.
“Then just let yourself be happy. Don’t worry about what your brother will think. When he sees how happy you are, he’ll be happy for you.”
I know she’s right. Even though Chase may not love it at first, he’s always cared about my happiness, I can’t imagine this would be any different.
“Yeah… yeah, you’re right.”
“Listen, as your best friend, all I want for you is someone who treats you right. Someone who doesn’t downplay your feelings or make you hide parts of yourself. TheIt Takes Twokind of love, remember? Someone who loves you without question, so fucking much that they’d do anything for you. A guy who would move a damn mountain for you and if it made you happy. You have that with Ford and I think you know that, but I also think it scares you,” she pauses and takes a deep breath before going on. “The only real boyfriend you’ve had was a complete piece of shit. He used you and manipulated you, he was a little boy compared to Ford and it’s normal that you have fears of allowing yourself to fall for someone again. But Ab, Ford’s your guy. The one we always talked about finding growing up. He’s it. You’ve found him.”
People used to rag on Summer for being a “dumb blonde” back in school, but there’s no one smarter than her, especially at this moment. Her words hit me at my core and I know that she’s right. Ford is everything I could have ever hoped to have. I release a loud sigh into the phone before we both settle into a laughing fit together.
“How’d I get so lucky? I swear every time I’m having a classic Abby freak out, you’re my saving grace.” I sit up on my bed, feeling a wave of reassurance and confidence coursing through me.
“Best friends are the soulmates. The guys are just for fun.” She jokes before we end the call.
I’m feeling so much better after talking with Summer. I’m ready to tell Ford how I feel and then we’ll find a way to tell Chase together. I’m done hiding how fucking happy I am.
“It’s going to be fucking Minnesota and I plan on tossing bullets over their defense all fucking day,” Liam says.
We’re up at halftime right now in our second to last game of the regular season and at this point, we all just want to finish this game and the next one to get to the playoffs. There’s a different energy in the playoffs. It’s like you’re starting the season from scratch with a clean slate and it doesn’t matter what the hell happened in the regular season. Playoffs are anyone’s game.
“I agree. I think we’ll have to make our way to Minnesota in a couple weeks.” Nate sits next to Liam on the bench before Coach Aarons comes in for a half time pep talk.
“Evans, Campbell, keep up whatever the hell you two have going on. Seems they can’t read you and your running is clean.” Coach gestures to Liam and Nate and then turns his attention to Chase and the defense.
“Hunt. Good work on the line.” Chase nods as Coach moves on to special teams and addresses them as well.
I adjust my pads and take a quick peek at my phone in the locker. Nothing from Abby since earlier today, I don’t even know if she’s at the game, actually. After Friday and her asking about Grace and my past, I really thought she was going to be upset that I didn’t tell her. Hell, maybe I should’ve told her sooner, but there isn’t much to tell. We dated, we broke up, I focused on football, end of story. At least Abby understood and didn’t seem mad, she actually looked like she felt sorry for me, which is the last thing I want. I meant what I said after telling Abby that I’m in love with her and that I’d prove to her just how much she means to me. From what I’ve heard about her ex, he was a piece of shit who never should have had her attention in the first place and if I ever happen to see him, I’ll gladly tell him just that.
The second half of the game goes by in a flash and I’m the first guy to run back into the tunnel afterwards.
“Hey, hang on, Anderson. What’s the rush?” My helmet hangs from one hand as I’m jogging down the hall to the locker room with Nate on my heels. A few other guys come shuffling in after us, but I reach for my phone to check it again.
Nothing.
“What the fuck?”I mutter to myself.
