Page 74 of Fair Catch

Pulling my bag out to start redressing, I feel a presence at my back. A quick glance over my shoulder reveals it’s Holden still wrapped in his towel, blond hair dripping wet from his shower.

“Killa K came out to play this evening,” he says when he notices me looking at him.

“You’re the one who was throwing like a pro today. I think I should be saying that to you.”

He waves me off with a laugh. “Nah, I’m just doing my job. You, on the other hand? You’re putting up numbers those NFL scouts won’t be able to ignore.”

That’s the hope. With this season being my last opportunity to impress the scouts, I know I need to make a lasting impression if I want to get an invite to the combine in March—which is the first real step for me to getting drafted at the end of April.

“Here’s to hoping,” I reply while slipping into my pants. “Lord knows you don’t need any help in that department, though.”

Holden shrugs as he pulls his shirt over his head. “I don’t think I’m gonna declare, actually.”

I blink at him like he just told me a pod of whales just made a moon landing. “You’re joking.” When he shakes his head, I tack on, “Why the hell not?”

“It’s not set in stone or anything, but it’s something Nix and I are still talking about,” he tells me while he finishes redressing in his street clothes.

It’s hard to believe Holden would give up a shot at the NFL for anything, Phoe included. I can’t imagine giving up something I’d worked tirelessly for; something I’ve dreamed of for as long as I can remember.

But, then again, I guess that’s what happens when you find the person who you plan to spend forever with.

“You ready to head out?” he asks once his shirt is on and I’ve fastened my belt into place.

Nodding, I grab my bag and shoulder it before heading to the door, Holden right on my tail as we exit the locker room.

Hayes is waiting with Phoenix, like he said he’d be, and I stop short to observe the two of them from afar. Phoenix is leaning against the wall, body casually posed with his arms crossed as he listens to whatever Hayes is talking to him about. He’s smiling and nodding, clearly invested in whatever conversation the two of them are having.

The sight has my heart squeezing in my chest.

“Nix likes him,” Holden utters beside me.

I glance at him, my brows furrowing. “He said that?”

Holden shakes his head before motioning toward the two of them with his chin. “He doesn’t have to; I can read it all over his face.”

My attention moves back to Phoe and Hayes. It’s a tough pill to swallow, knowing my best friend for a good chunk of my life is so easily winning over the guy it took over a month to even tolerate me. And the taste only gets worse realizing that while the two of them are forming this…friendship, the one I have with Phoe is still very much on the outs.

“You’re good for him,” I find myself saying before looking at Holden.

“Is it being cocky if I sayI know?” he muses, a shit-eating grin on his lips.

That has me laughing, and I shake my head. “A little bit, but at least you’re honest.”

At the sound of my laughter, Phoenix is the first to notice us, nodding in our direction before he says something to Hayes. They exchange a few more words and a quick wave before Phoe heads toward Holden and me.

With asee you laterto Holden, I move toward my guy. Somewhere in the middle, Phoenix and my paths intersect, and he offers me a gentle smile and agood game, Kase.

And as much as it might sting to still only have these small, meaningless interactions with my best friend, I can’t even focus on it right now. I’m too caught up in the way Hayes is smiling at me as I approach him.

Or how good that number eighty-sevenjersey looks on him.

Those two things combined, though? It takes every fiber of my self control not to kiss him at the sight. Pin him against the wall and devour him like the glutton I’ve become for him. And then I realize, there’s nothing stopping me.

Well, other than the people waiting around who’d get an eyeful of two horny college guys going at each other like rabbits in heat.

A simple kiss wouldn’t hurt, though.

“Hey,” Hayes says, still grinning.

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