Page 111 of How to Score Off Field

“I didn’t know about it.”

“Please tell me you didn’t take money for the story.”

“I didn’t take money for the story.”

My sigh of relief is palpable.

Thank god.

"I'm sorry," she replies, her voice sounding small. "I messed up, Drew, and I regret it.”

I can see Drake watching me intently through the glass doors of the gym, clearly picking up on the tension in the conversation. His twintuition is probably buzzing.

I give him a pointed look, silently asking for this moment alone with Tess. I do not need him charging out into the hallway to interrupt or give her his opinion on the matter.

"Tess," I say, my tone softening slightly. "We need to figure this out together. This whole thing is a clusterfuck, but...let's talk about our options and come up with a plan."

I hear her soft laughter on the other end. “Why are you always so sensible?”

“Because. I’m the boring Colter, remember?”

The quiet, kind brother who can’t keep it in his pants and gets himself in trouble.

She hesitates, and I can practically hear her thinking on the other end of the line. "You're right. We need to talk face-to-face. When can I fly to see you?”

I glance at Drake, who's pretending to be engrossed in a magazine. "I mean, we’re still off-season, so things aren’t crazy yet. I can come and see you."

Stay with my mom.

Figure shit out.

Hide.

“Tess?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

Gee, where do I start?

“Not bein’ there when you needed me, not bein’ there when you found out. Not bein’ there when you saw the story on the news.”

She laughs again, but it’s not like a ha-ha funny sort of laugh. “Yeah, it hasn’t been great.”

“I’ll…” I watch my brother through the glass and hold up a finger so he knows I’m almost done. “Figure out when I can come and let you know.”

“Okay.”

“Alright.”

So awkward.

“I’ll keep you posted.”

“Hey, Tess?”

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