"Derek."
He looked up, and the devastation in his eyes broke me.
"I couldn't do it," he said quietly. "I had the perfect shot, and I couldn't take it."
"But you made the right play. You passed to Maddox. We won."
"I was scared." His voice cracked. "At that moment, all I could think about was what happened last year. And I was so fucking scared that I passed instead of shooting."
"That doesn't make you weak. That makes you smart."
"It makes me a coward." He stood abruptly. "I need to get out of here."
"Derek, wait..."
But he was already walking away, heading for the locker rooms.
I turned to follow and nearly collided with Aaron.
We stared at each other for a long moment.
"You came," he said finally.
"Of course I came. He needed me."
"He needed you." Aaron's voice was bitter. "Not his teammates. Not his best friends. You."
"Aaron, please..."
"You're wearing his jersey." It wasn't a question. "Again. Like you did all season."
"Yes. Because I love him. Because I'm proud of him. Because I'm not ashamed of what we have."
Aaron's jaw worked. "You know what I saw out there? I saw my best friend almost get seriously injured again. I saw him freeze at a crucial moment. I saw him struggle." His eyes met mine. "And all I could think about was that you're part of the reason he's been so distracted. So unable to focus."
"That's not fair..."
"Isn't it?" Aaron stepped closer. "He's been different since you two got together. More anxious. More in his head. And tonight proved it."
"Tonight proved that he's human. That he's still dealing with trauma from what happened. That has nothing to do with me."
"Doesn't it?" Aaron challenged. "Because from where I'mstanding, my best friend is falling apart, and the girl he's in love with is part of the problem."
The words hit like a physical blow. "You don't mean that."
"Don't I?" But Aaron's voice wavered, and I saw the conflict in his eyes. He was angry, but he was also scared. Scared for Derek. Scared of losing us both.
"Aaron, I love him." My voice broke. "I love him the way Max loves Ivy. The way Liam loves Brooklyn. This is real. And yes, the timing sucks, and yes, we should have told you sooner, but that doesn't change how we feel."
"It changes everything," Aaron said quietly. "Because now I have to watch my best friend struggle and know that my sister is part of why."
"I'm not..."
"Rosie." Max appeared, slightly out of breath. Worry and sadness painted his face. "Dex’s having a panic attack in the locker room. We need you."
I didn't hesitate. I pushed past Aaron and ran.
I found Derek in a corner, hyperventilating, his eyes wild with fear. Maddox was with him, trying to talk him down, but it wasn't working.
