Page 7 of Catching Feels

“I got waitlisted at Binghamton and Rutgers.”

“Appeal that shit. You’re Jillian fucking Hart.”

I shake my head and close my eyes. “I got into Montana University’s program.”

His pause in response warms my heart.

“What do you want?”

Tears prick my eyes again, and I see him swallow hard. Hudson doesn’t get emotional; he and Roman weren’t made to fall.

“Hard to grow being in the shade for so long.” He walks over and hugs me. “Never got the chance to figure it out.”

“Not your fault.”

“Maybe not.” He steps back. “Gonna suck not knowing my little sister’s cheering me on every game, but it’s your time, and when you figure it out, I’m gonna be in the stands, cheering you on.”

“I know.” I sniff.

“If it’s Montana, then?—”

“That’s the only option right now.”

“Fuck it is. Take a gap year. Travel,” he suggests, then laughs. “Who’d have thought the Harts would be in a position to use the term gap year?”

I can’t help but smile. “I knew you’d make it.”

“I knew Rome would.”

“So did I,” I defend myself. “Just shocked that it took a little longer.”

“A year longer. His gap year. Now take yours.”

“How is that going to help me?” I roll my eyes. “If anything, it would slow my growth.”

“CeCe’s little sister, Cora, got waitlisted. She’s going to take a couple of online classes and work at Wags.”

I knew this. The poor girl had her life turned upside down her freshman year and ended up with some shitty grades, so she’s retaking those classes.

“I don’t want to be a vet.”

“Not sure she does anymore, either.” He scratches his head. “You don’t have to work. You?—”

“I worked from the time I was thirteen until Covid at the snack shack,” I cut him off real quick. “I enjoyed working. I loved people. I want to be that me again.”

2

Family Matters

Nour

Walking out on the field, I mentally go over my gameday checklist.

1 - Loaded omelet.

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