That matters.
Maybe it shouldn’t since she admitted to knowing what was happening to her friends.
But it does. At least to me. Her former teammates may see it from an entirely different perspective.
The fact that she asked me for Nadia’s phone number last night is a leap of faith. She’s being bold and courageous and stepping back into a situation that she ran away from for years. It says something about her and who she’s trying to be.
I just don’t know if it’s enough. And I don’t know what’llhappen when Nadia tells her another secret, whether it’ll heal Annika’s scars—or finish breaking her completely.
SATURDAY
It’s comforting knowing how structured and controlled our days are when we’re away for the weekend.
Last minute film.
Media.
Now the walkthrough.
All the pieces lined up exactly where they’re supposed to be.
Except me.
I’m a step off and a half-second behind.
Even when I hit my routes clean, even when my hands feel right again, my head isn’t fully there. It keeps drifting back to Annika, forward to what I’m going to do when I get back.
When walkthroughs are over, we all change and meet for dinner. The team fills a private room at the hotel. Plates clinking, voices overlapping, energy building the way it does when a playoff bye is on the line. Or a relationship.
I sit across from Greyson, Matt, Jaylen and Cozen, our left guard who looks like he could bench press our whole table without breaking a sweat.
I cut into my chicken marsala, scooping up mashed potatoes in the same bite.
Matt looks at me. “Your sister would not approve.” He points with his knife to my combining of food and laughs as he’s cutting into his steak. “The Louisville Heavyweights aren’t the same team anymore.”
Greyson says, “Yeah since when?”
“Since Logan Warren retired,” Matt replies without missing a beat.
Greyson leans back in his chair, eyebrows raised. “What the fuck? I’ve beaten him before.”
Matt smirks, “Sure you have. But since Logan and Harper are keeping your children, you should be nice.”
Greyson points at him with his fork. “And here I thought I was your golden boy.”
“You’re my new golden boy, but Warren was my first.” A couple of seconds pass before he adds, “Firsts are special.”
Greyson lets out a slow breath, lips twitching like he’s trying not to smile. “Lasts better be the most special.”
The table goes quiet.
Then Jaylen catches on. “Ohhh, you’re not talking about football anymore, are you?”
“You’re catching on. And yes, Noelle is the love of my life.” Matt grins as he continues to tease.
Greyson flips him off.
I smile, but it doesn’t stick.
