“Yeah, I’m coming,” Molly replies. “I need coffee before class.”
“Jade?” he checks.
“Will Seth be there?” she asks wickedly, eyes sparkling at Randy.
He smirks. “Sorry, Jade, he can’t make it, but aren’t I good enough to have coffee with?”
“Definitely,” she says, grabbing her bag. “But your girlfriend gets possessive when I comment on how hot you look.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Possessive? I prefer the termterritorial.”
Randy chuckles, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Good thing I’m already claimed.”
I let my body fall against his hard frame.
“How was our boy this morning?” he asks.
I gaze up to him, unable to hide my happiness. “He’s good. He’s really looking forward to you being there for school pickup this afternoon.”
“I’m excited to see him too. We have already discussed that he needs to show me where his bag and water bottle go, and anything else I need to do for future pick up and drop offs,” he says, leaning down to place another kiss to my lips.
Molly grabs her bag and heads for the door, with Jade trailing behind. Randy holds it open, letting us all pass through before closing it behind us—and I realize I could definitely get used to this.
“….so will Walsh be there?” Jade asks.
45
Randy
The past few weeks we have been trying to pull answers from Walsh, even offering support and understanding. We are still trying to get to the bottom of what happened to him, and very slowly he is opening up more and more. Physically he is fine to play next season. I just don’t know what emotional scars he’s going to carry from this and what we can do to help with that.
Our dinner together with just us guys didn’t get the answers we wanted; although, it did end up getting messy, and Shelby had to come pick us up. Christian and I thought maybe we could get some truths out of Walsh via tequila, but after over half a bottle, we were all shit-faced and had no idea what truth we were trying to seek.
Once we let up bombarding Walsh with questions, we turned on Seth. He admitted that it was Abigail that day at the diner, and that he has seen her a few times around campus. I didn’t question if the awkwardness was something to do with their personal history or Heather. He didn’t give us much; either way, after the countless shots he had thrown back you could see the vulnerability and affect her presence was having on him.
We suggested he should probably do something about it—talk to her or else he is just going to stay in this fucked-up limbo. He didn’t answer us, but I think he thought on it before our next round of drinks arrived that night. Either way, it was good tocatch up with just us four where we could simply drink, laugh, and reflect.
This past year has been memorable, to say the least. Between Christian and Shelby, the kidnapping, the bet, and losing the championship—not to mention Cole, the massive all-in brawl, and the drama with Walsh and Seth—it’s been a rollercoaster.
Meeting Rachel has been the pinnacle. And Seth was right, like he usually is, Sam has made everything better. If anything, having him in my life has grounded me, and made me love his mom even more. Sam is incredible, and a handsome bundle of energy and happiness. I know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him or his mother. Seeing his car seat in the back of my truck makes me smile every time I see it.
These feelings used to scare me, but now it just reassures me that this is real. There have definitely been some challenges, but as I make my way down the hallway holding Rachel’s hand, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m content as we approach final exams and wrap up another year of college. The football season should have been better, but it has made me so much more determined for next season.
Christian holds Shelby’s hand as they walk ahead of us, weaving through the crowded halls. The building buzzes with the anxiousness of final exams, students rushing past in every direction as we worm our way forward. “I’m heading this way,” Walsh says from behind me, him and Seth bringing up the rear.
I turn to look at him as he points to the right. His left eye is still black, with a faint tinge blooming around his right from the broken nose. His dad had taken him to his childhood dentist, who fixed the missing tooth. Coach had insisted on covering the cost.
“The science building?” Shelby asks, her blonde hair swept up in a high ponytail, as Christian keeps her close to his side.
“Yeah, gotta see someone,” he says, slapping Seth on the shoulder to reassure him.
“You have other friends besides us?” I joke.
“Better ones,” he throws back, grinning as he turns to leave. He barely gets ten feet before an attractive girl stops him mid-stride, blatantly flirting. He brushes her off with a quick excuse and jogs toward the science department. He’s always had girls chasing him—but ever since Shelby’s kidnapping, the attention has only intensified.
“So, Seth, if you see Abigail today, can you finally point her out to me?” I tease.
“No,” his deep voice replies from behind me.
