As I join them in the living room, Argyros comes barreling through the front door like a missile, tail wagging. He launches himself at me, paws slamming into my chest with enough force to knock me backward. I suddenly forget I’m annoyed and collapse in a pile of fur and dog kisses, laughing as I bury my face in his soft coat.
And then I see him.
Hayes.
He follows Argyros inside looking like a walking fantasy—sun-kissed and all sharp edges, in fitted denim and a crimson football jersey that clings to him like it was custom-stitched for every muscle. His leather jacket is slung casually over one shoulder, and he’s wearing that irresistible, traffic-stopping smile.
Amber squeals and throws herself into his arms.
“I’m so glad you’re here!” she gushes, kissing him—so much for playing it cool—and loops her arm through his.
I don’t get it.
Hayes has ghosted me all week. Barely any texts. No coffee. Skipping French class. And now he shows up at our apartment… for her?
“What are you doing here?” I ask, sharper than I mean to.
“Hey, Alligator.” He nudges my foot with his, a quiet tap like a peace offering. “Good to see you too.”
“You know what I mean. Shouldn’t you be at the stadium?”
“All the guys are meeting their families first, for the parade.” He scratches the back of his neck, looking almost nervous. “Since my parents are still out of town, Ambs thought maybe your family could come instead?”
Amber grins up at him adoringly. “We’d love to!”
“You’re sure? I don’t want to be a hassle or anything,” he says, glancing toward my mom.
She steps forward with a warm smile. “We’d be honored, Hayden dear,” she says, pulling him into a hug.
It still catches me off guard, how much she’s softened toward him over the years. She used to warn me about getting too close.Allmen leave, Alysander,she’d say. But now she treats Hayes like he’s the son she never had.
“Al?”
His eyes meet mine, searching.
I say nothing.
He hesitates, hand brushing the doorknob. “Or I can just skip the parade…”
“Yeah, why don’t you?” I snap.
I know I’m being rude, but I can’t help it. Amber keeps grinning at him like he’s a prize she just won back, and it’s making something sour and sharp coil in my chest. He barely has time for me anymore as it is. I don’t want to share him with her.
Not again.
“Alysander, knock it off. Of course we’ll all go to the parade.” Mom grabs her purse off the table and pulls out a leather cord with a rough, metallic stone dangling from the end—dull gold, jagged, like something chipped from a cave wall. “Here, hun,” she says, handing it to Hayes. “I made this for you, for the game.”
“Pyrite, right? For protection?” He grins, taking it from her with both hands. “Awesome.”
“That’s right.”
Mom lights up. She’s made him one every season since he started playing football.
Amber makes a face. “He’s not gonna wear that ugly rock, Mom,” she says.
“Course I am. Thanks, Mel.” Hayes winks and slips it over his head, tucking the stone beneath his shirt. “I’ll take all the help I can get.”
We head outside. Amber and Mom walk arm in arm while I rush ahead, Argyros trotting at my side like my own personal shadow. Hayes falls into step beside me, his shoulder brushing mine.
