Page 73 of The First Play

“Yeah,” I croak, knowing how right she is.

I’m gonna be caught up with football and college. Having to stay in touch with her—as much as I love it—is gonna be another pressure. I can’t risk losing all the ground I made during that football camp. I’ve got to stay in good with my team and find a place in that college.

Will Sienna hold me back from doing that? Will my obligation to her be at war with what I want to achieve with this new team?

And how is that fair for her? Having a boyfriend she can’t rely on? Feeling like she’s being fit in rather than top priority?

My stomach twists into an uncomfortable knot as I try to comfort my girlfriend. “We just need to focus on one day at a time. We’ve got this festival coming up. That’s gonna be awesome.”

“Yeah.” She sniffs. “Only one month to go.”

“That’s right, baby. Then it’s you in a bikini and some little cut-off shorts and me rocking out to all my favorite bands.”

“Ourfavorite bands.” She giggles. “And what will you be wearing? Can I expect some kind of ripped-off shorts or bikini from you?”

I snort and shake my head. “No point me wearing anything fancy. They’ll all be too busy checking out my hot girlfriend.”

She blushes. “But you’re not gonna let any of them touch me, right?”

“That’s right, baby. You are all mine.”

“Yes, I am.” She kisses the screen, and I grin back at her smile.

Shit, she is so fucking beautiful.

And she is mine.

That feeling should make me want to fly. I’ve got the prettiest girl in the world for a girlfriend!

So why does my heart hurt right now?

What’s with the boulder in my chest?

“WE BROKE UP”

CHAPTER 30

SIENNA

I already know what he’s going to say before he even says it. I can tell by the look on his face, that sadness in his eyes. He can’t quite look at me properly, and I know… deep down in my gut… I know.

I guess I’ve known for weeks, but I’ve just been playing pretend. Enjoying the summer and acting like there’s nothing looming ahead of us.

But the time has come.

Zander leaves for college in six days, and I know what he’s about to do.

Sitting on my bed, I grab a pillow from behind me and nestle it on my lap, playing with the corner of the pillowcase and gnawing on my bottom lip.

“Thing is…” He sighs, running a hand through my hair. “How do I do this?”

You don’t.

You stay with me and say screw college!

You remember that perfect weekend we had at the music festival!

My mind jumps back to those three days of pure bliss. For some bizarre reason, his parents had finally been okay with us going. Maybe Zander argued for weeks to get their approval, I don’t know, but we drove off to that big field in the middle of nowhere and rocked out to a bunch of bands. Thousands of people were there, but there was only me and Zander. We laughed, we sang, we made love in our little tent.

---