Page 105 of Fragile

“Peachy, I’ve heard.”

Benny, my replacement, jogs over to us. “Hey, man, great game. That last touchdown was something else.” I offer my hand to him.

“Thanks, Cooper. That means a lot. If I can be half the player you are, I’ll be happy.”

Hearing that makes something tighten in my chest.Half the player I am?I’m not sure how to take it. Part of me feels a rush of pride—yeah, I spent years on this team, worked hard to get here, to be someone they look up to—but another part feels...uneasy. Like they’re seeing me as something more than I am, or more than I ever was. How my career ended was less than ideal, but I take full responsibility for it, and if I can pass on any wisdom to anyone…

I slap his shoulder, keeping my hand there. “Stick to the path, even when it feels like everything’s falling apart. Trust your team—they’ll get you through the rough patches.”

He grins at me, that familiar sparkle still in his eyes, and I know this kid will go far.

“Oh, and get us to the playoffs again next year, yeah?”

As we walk off the field, I feel like I achieved so much more than the win tonight.

Chapter forty-eight

Quinn

Seb’s voice cuts throughthe noise, louder than anyone else’s. He’s got Hudson in a headlock, both of them grinning like idiots as the rest of the team surrounds them, cheering and whooping. It’s pure chaos, but the best kind.

“Look at those idiots,” Indie says beside me, shaking her head but grinning. She’s leaning against the wall, a drink in her hand, looking as relaxed as I’ve ever seen her. “You’d think they’d never won anything before.”

“I think this win meant more to them,” I reply, catching Seb’s eye as he spins Hudson around like they’re in the middle of some strange, football-themed waltz. He shoots me a wide grin, and I can’t help but laugh.

Indie nudges me with her elbow. “So, where’s your boyfriend?”

I glance around the room, searching for Miles in the sea of faces. It doesn’t take long to find him—he’s on the other side of the room, talking to one of his teammates. But even from across the room, he feels close. No matter how far apart we are.

“There he is,” I say as I nod in his direction. As if sensing my gaze, Miles looks up and catches my eye. The smile that spreads across his face sends a flutter through my stomach, the kind that I’ve felt for so long, but to see him reciprocating the same look makes it feel so much more intense.

Indie follows my gaze and smirks. “You two are disgustingly cute, you know that?”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t hide my smile. “Says the girl who’s literally glowing every time my brother looks at her.”

She laughs and takes a sip of her drink. “Touché.”

Minutes turn into hours as the guys enjoy their win.

The energy in the room is infectious, and I find myself bouncing from one conversation to the next, soaking in the joy that seems to radiate from everyone around me.

At some point, I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to find Miles standing there, a soft smile on his face.

“Hey, baby,” he says, his voice just loud enough to be heard over the noise.

“Hey,” I reply, my heart doing that little flip it always does when he’s near.

“You wanna get out of here for a bit? I have something I want to show you.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Sure. What is it?”

His smile widens, but there’s a nervous edge to it. “You’ll see.”

I glance over at Indie, who waves me off with a knowing smile. “Go. I’ll be fine. I’m just waiting for your brother or Hudson to break something, preferably not a body part, and then I can go home.”

With a laugh, I let Miles lead me out of the crowded dorm and into the quieter hallway. The noise of the party fades as we walk down the corridor. We reach his room, and he pauses for a moment before unlocking the door and taking a deep breath, which only makes me more curious. When he pushes the dooropen, I step inside, the familiar scent of his room wrapping around me like a warm blanket.

Miles follows me in, closing the door behind us. He walks over to his desk and picks up a wrapped package. Turning to me, he holds it out with that same nervous smile.

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