Like whoever sat in that car wasn’t looking atMatty Adler, tight end for the Tigers.
They were just…looking at me.
It was insane, and I knew it.
But every time I thought about walking up to that car, I froze.
Because I didn’t know what I wanted to find—someone obsessed, someone dangerous, or someone who somehow saw something in me that even I didn’t understand.
So instead, I did nothing.
It was easier to joke about it.
Easier to let Jace and the guys make their cracks and play along like it didn’t get under my skin so I didn’teverhave to admit that I wasn’t sure if I was more freaked out by the idea that she was there every day…or by the idea of what it would mean if she suddenly wasn’t.
“Earth to Matty-Daddy,” Jace said, snapping his fingers in front of my face.
I blinked, dragging myself back. “What did you just call me? And why do you keep puttingDaddyin with my name?”
He grinned. “Sorry, I was just workshopping that, but I think it’s no good. I think we can all agree that the person in this group who has Daddy energy is me. And possibly Parker.”
“I have Daddy energy,” Garrett said.
We all snorted at that.
“Regardless, I wonder what you’ll do when she finally works up the nerve to get out of the car,” Jace continued as if Garrett hadn’t said anything and we hadn’t been talking about Daddies.
“Probably drop dead,” I muttered.
Garrett smirked. “Could be worse ways to go. At least you’d die adored.”
Parker rolled his eyes. “You three need professional help.”
“Maybe,” Jace said, leaning back with that smug, shit-eating grin. “But I’m still RSVPing for the wedding. Front row, open bar, tears of joy.”
“Yeah,” I said, standing up and slinging my towel over my shoulder, “you’ll get that invite the same day I send you my obituary.”
“Perfect,” Jace said brightly. “I’ll bring flowers to both. Maybe balloons, if I’m feeling festive.”
I groaned but couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped. That was Jace for you—turning every conversation into a sideshow.
And I welcomed it.
Because the truth?
That car haunted me.
Every practice. Every drive home.
Every night I told myself it didn’t mean anything.
I thought about it every damn day.
And every damn day, I pretended I didn’t.
CHAPTER 4
OPHELIA
