Page 37 of A Sky Full Of Stars

I was a machine on the field. And the team, God, we were phenomenal. It’s the strongest we’ve ever felt...strongest we’ve ever played as a team. And I’m not just saying that because I’m the quarterback. Everyone has stepped up lately. Our freshmen are far better performers than I was freshman year. Our seniors are giving it their all, determined to secure their place in the pros. It’s meant to be.

This season is ours.

Luke walks with me as we head inside, giving me advice on the perfect party. Sophomores don’t usually host the football parties, but after our win, nothing was going to ruin my mood. So when one of my teammates complained about losing the venue for the after-party, I offered up my house without giving it a second thought.

I knew Dad would feel guilty after missing my first game so it was a no-brainer... he couldn’t say no.

And now, herewe are.

I laugh at Luke’s ideas, until he mentions putting signs up on Summer’s door, and I freeze. Not because of Summer—she’d tell me to get lost, and I’m pretty sure she can handle herself. No, my stomach churns for Lainey.

It’s been a week since I saw her, and it’s not only because I see Luke all the time and have no excuse to visit. I’m also terrified of how things will go after what happened.

Is she pissed at me? Did I ruin our friendship?

I’ve thought about visiting her many times, but something always stops me, just when I’ve worked up the courage. She’s sixteen; I’m about to turn nineteen. In a few days. No matter what I feel for her, or what she feels for me, it’s never going to work for us. Not to mention it’s illegal. Well, dating isn’t illegal but…no. It’s wrong. Even if we did nothing more than kiss, it’swrong.

But how can we go back to just being friends? Is that even possible?

I’m chatting with Dylan a couple of hours later when my dad arrives home and rushes over. “I’m sorry I missed your first game, son, but I’m off for the next two weekends so I’ll be there. I’m so proud of you.” He pulls me into a hug before glancing at Dylan, his brow slightly furrowed.

“Is this one of your teammates?” he asks, his smile gone.

I can’t hide my grin as I step beside Dylan, ready to introduce him. Dad was a huge fan of Dylan’s father. He’s going to love this.

“Dad, this is Dylan, one of our wide receivers. DylanMathers.”

Dad’s eyes widen before he smiles, but it doesn’t move past his lips. “Nice to meet you, Dylan. Well done on the win.”

He walks away without another word, and I deflate.What was that?It’s not at all how I expected it to go. Dylan raises an eyebrow, but when I turn around, I find Summer talking to some older guy I’ve never seen before, and it all makes sense. “That wasn’t to do with you,” I say with a sigh. “We’ve got somefamilystuff going on, stuff to do with my sister, and he just saw her.”

Dylan spins but when we both look again, she’s gone.

“Trust me, man. Before you know it, he’ll be rounding you up so he can talk all about your dad. He was a huge fan.”

Dylan forces a smile, and I know instantly that I’ve said the wrong thing.Again. “Shit. Sorry. I’ll tell him not to mention it.”

“Nah, it’s okay. I just don’t really talk about him that much. It probably sounds strange, but I—”

“Prefer to keep things to yourself.”I know a bit about that.

“Exactly.”

“Say no more. Let’s get a drink.”

I spend the next few hours drinking myself stupid, but I can’t for the life of me get Lainey out of my head. Even when a beautiful blonde walks my way and introduces herself. Even when several beautiful women introduce themselves to me.Even when they try more. She’s wedged there, in my mind, and it’s going to take a bulldozer to get her out. A bulldozer in the form of more alcohol.

The more I drink, the more fun I have, but while the light of Lainey begins to fade, it never fully dims, and while I’m still conscious of my actions, I can’t seem to allow myself to touch another girl.Which really fucking sucks.

Igroan as I wake the next morning, my head throbbing with a huge hangover. No, it’s not a hangover. I think I’m still drunk. Everything’s a little foggy, and I swear I can hear yelling downstairs. I roll over to find the bed empty and frown. Until I notice I’m in my room and the remnants of last night start coming back.

When I try to sit up, my head throbs, making me fall back to the bed again, my eyes instantly drifting shut.

A vision of Lainey brings itself to the forefront of my mind, and my lips pull into a smile.

She’s here.

All night, I’ve wanted her and she’s here.

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