Page 193 of Glitched Play

“Nope, the reason Synatrix has suddenly become hip is because of Maci,” he says looking down at me.

A collective aww comes from his family.

Noelle folds her arms. "Told you love looks good on him."

Witt tilts his head. "I fail to see the correlation."

"There’s our Witt.” A chuckle dances in Matt’s voice.

Paulina says, “I think I need to teach you teenage lingo. We don’t say ‘hip.’”

The team comes down the pavement. Cleats clicking in cadence for the Tiger Walk. Mr. O’Ryan or Coach is at the end of the parade, carrying a bottle of water. He steps underneath the blue and white tape.

"Maci. Glad you came. What'd I miss?"

Greyson nods toward the students still sneaking glances at Witt.

"They came for us." He pats Witt on the back. "They stayed for him."

Coach O'Ryan looks at his youngest son. The pride in his eyes steals my breath.

"I've coached championships." He smiles. "But you've changed the world in your own way. You bring people together to do something they enjoy."

For just a second, Witt doesn't have a comeback. He simply looks around the tailgate.

At his dad.

His brothers.

His sister.

Birdie laughing with Annika.

Sutton making sure everyone has enough to eat.

Then his gaze finds mine. A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

The kind that belongs only to me.

And I realize something.

For the first time since I've known him, Witt O'Ryan isn't standing in anyone's shadow.

He's exactly where he belongs.

The student section comes alive as Mr’. O’Ryan’s team breaks the huddle.

Blue and white towels spin overhead while the marching band pounds out the fight song. Even from halfway up the stands, I can see Coach O'Ryan pacing the sideline with the same intensity Greyson warned me about.

“Does he always walk that fast?" I ask.

"No." Parker doesn't take his eyes off the field. "That's relaxed."

I laugh. "I don't believe you."

"You should."

The quarterback claps for the snap.