Page 8 of The Only Goal

As the years passed, Baxter’s been stored away in the back of my mind, only popping out when I’m feeling sad or nostalgic.

Right now, he’s clear as day—his shy smile and soft gaze. I always used to love the way he studied the world. He was so quiet and thoughtful about everything. The way his ears used to turn fire-engine red when he got embarrassed always made me laugh.

I can’t help a soft snicker as I see him all over again. My favorite person in the world. My best friend. My BB.

My throat swells as I remember him. As I think about what could have been if we hadn’t?—

If I hadn’t?—

Snapping my eyes shut, I set a few tears free. They trail down my cheeks as my memories fade and reality comes back with a chill so cold, I actually shiver.

Burying myself under the covers, I settle my head on the pillow and wonder again where Baxter might be.

He wouldn’t judge me for taking off and not replying to Hudson’s texts.

He never seemed to like the guy much anyway. I didn’t understand why. Everyone else loved him, but Baxter was always frosty.

Maybe he saw something the rest of us couldn’t.

Or maybe he was just annoyed that Hudson was stealing all my attention.

Baxter used to get it all. He was my safe place, the one I’d run to with a new joke or an angry rant or a sad confession. He always listened to me. And he heard me. He was my best friend.

My insides crumple, and that old familiar ache rises inside me again.

I want to see him.

I want to run to him right now with my sad news. I want to blubber on his doorstep. And he’d stand there and let me get it all out, then say something soft and sweet… or nothing at all. He’d just let me in and let me be.

My lips curl into a soft smile.

I should find him.

But what if he’s married or has a girlfriend or?—

So what if he does? I’m just looking for a place to stay until I’m ready to deal with this Hudson bullshit. I just need a place to hide for a few days and lick my wounds.

Scrambling for my phone, I work in the dark, opening a new search window and seeing what I can find on Baxter Brown—the small-town boy from Gladstone who became a star goalie for the Nolan U Cougars.

“What are you up to right now, BB? Make it something obvious so I can easily find you.”

CHAPTER 4

BAXTER

I stand on the ice, trying not to laugh as I watch an argument between two Mini Mites.

“I’m taller than you!”

“No, I’m taller!”

Their little sticks bang on the ground while the rest of the team skates around them like ants, oblivious to their disagreement.

“I’m older, so I’m taller!” Marty starts to shout, his gloved hand trying to prove his point by banging between their two helmets.

“Don’t hit me.” Shelby pushes his padded shoulder, and I pick up my pace and move toward them.

“Hey! You two! Get skatin’.” They jump a mile, Marty hitting the ice before scrambling back up. Shelby grabs his sleeve to help him, and I can’t hide my grin as they tear off around the outside edge of the rink while Ethan and Liam stand on the sidelines cracking up.

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