Page 51 of The Way We Score

My eyes are fixed on him, his confident swagger, his muscular physique accentuated by the tight uniform. His expression is serious as he studies the field, almost seeming frustrated.

In the past, when he played in college, he’d always be smiling and messing with the other guys on the sidelines. They’d do their fist bump routines or he’d do a little dance when something good happened on the field. He was always playful and light and so damn handsome. My stomach tightens when I remember us being together.

Now he seems almost dissatisfied. He definitely looks as uneasy as I feel.

I’m carrying his baby.

More emotion clogs my throat, and every muscle in my body is tense. This changes everything, and it has me on edgewith what I have to do. I can’t sit here watching him on television a thousand miles away.

Going to my room, I take out a small bag and fill it with a few toiletries and a change of underwear. Then I take out my phone, quickly tapping the buttons as I reserve a time slot.

Exhaling slowly, I’m not afraid. I’ve never been afraid to do hard things. I’ve just never wanted to do them alone.

10

Garrett

Zane

Have you talked to Olivia?

I stare for a minute at the phone, wondering why my chest is tight, like I’ve been caught doing something wrong. All I’ve been doing is living my life.

About what?

Hendrix

Bruh, you still haven’t called her? It’s been two months.

Jack

You’re supposed to call the woman after you sleep with her.

Hendrix

You’re a meme.

I don’t know what that means.

Zane

Need me to drawyou a diagram?

If you say that one more time…

Logan

Hey, it just hit me—we’re really brothers now!

Welcome to the party, bro. How’s married life?

Logan

So good.

I should be happy for my former best friend turned brother-in-law, but instead I wonder if he’d look so smug if I gave him a wedgie.

Hendrix

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