Whether our friendship changes or not, everything will look a little different after next week.
Her eyes glimmer with hope and excitement as she smiles at the two of us. “Love you, besties.”
“Love you too,” Ellie and I say in unison, smiling back at her, knowing it’s only fair for us to feel the same excitement for her.
Nicole deserves nothing but happiness. Nothing but all the good things life has to offer.
And honestly… I think we all deserve that, too.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
MATTEO
“When I saw her with him, I couldn’t stop myself from intervening. I shouldn’t have wanted her, but there was no way I could stand by while someone else had her.” - Julian Hart, Painted Inferno
Tonight was one hell of a game. We almost lost it in overtime but thank god Cross came through and won the damn thing for us.
We’ve been unstoppable lately. The entire team has stepped it up and has been playing on a completely different level than we were at the beginning of the year. We’ve been winning most of our games, with an occasional loss here and there.
We need all the points we can get right now if we want to have a chance at the playoffs. There’s still a month left until the regular season is over. Anything can happen. Things can change within the blink of an eye.
I shake the thoughts from my head, walking down the hallway to my hotel room. There’s a tightness in my chest as I slip into the empty room, heading into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
I used to love being on the road. Now, I hate it.
We’re only away for a few days, and all I can think about is getting back home to Jade.
I can’t help but open up my messages as I climb into bed, immediately opening the thread with her. My fingers move across the screen, typing out a message and then deleting it.
I miss you, Sunny. I wish I was in bed with you instead of alone in this hotel room.
My stomach knots. What the hell is wrong with me? This isn’t good. This isn’t normal. There’s no reason why my thoughts should be consumed by her. When I’m not with her, I want to be. When I’m not talking to her, I want to hear her voice.
I signed up for a distraction, but not this kind. Not the kind that settles inside your bone marrow. Not the kind that tangles in your soul.
My phone vibrates. My heart stutters, my breath catching.
A sigh escapes me when I see it’s my dad.
Dad
Good game tonight, bud.
You looked great out there.
I drag my hand down my face. I need someone to talk me off whatever goddamn ledge I’m on.
Matteo
Are you busy? Can I call you?
Dad
Of course.
The phone rings once and he answers just as it’s about to ring a second time.
“Matteo.” His voice is gruff and something rustles in the background. “Is everything okay?”
