Page 105 of Catching Feelings

Taking one final look in the mirror, I fluff my hair and pull on the Revs winter hat I ordered online. I haven’t been to a football game in two months, and the final game in their regular season is going to be a cold one.

Kendall and Rylie think my absence has been because of my sister. It started that way, but that’s not why I’ve only seen them twice since Thanksgiving. One was for a quick Christmas gift exchange, and the other was the day after New Year’s. I kept the conversation focused on them and their families, and when they asked about mine, I answered with the usual generic responses.

My sister’s recovery is going well. Truth. My family is doing as well as usual. Truth. I miss my friends and spending time with them. So freaking true.

My phone vibrates on my bed, and I read Kendall’s text stating she’s idling at the curb. With the snowbanks, it makes parking challenging, so I told her to let me know when she’s here.

I’m wearing Miles’s jersey under the Revs sweatshirt and bundle up in my puffy winter coat. Making sure my hand warmers are in my pocket, I grab my crossbody purse and hustle out the door.

“Hope you’re layered up, girlfriend,” Kendall says as I buckle up in the backseat, “‘Cause our nipples are about to freeze.”

“My nipples are well covered. It’s my face I’m worried about.”

“Since you’re not driving, you can get a nice warm buzz going.” Riley turns around and offers me a spiked seltzer.

“That would require me taking off my mittens.” I hold up my knit-covered hands.

“You can wrap those puppies around this with no problem.”

“I’d rather have hot chocolate,” I say, taking the seltzer from her.

“That can be remedied. Want to stop at a convenience store for some Baileys?” Kendall flicks on the blinker and turns onto the highway.

“Pretty sure we’re not allowed to bring alcohol into the stadium.”

Kendall waves her hand in front of her and makes a silly noise. “Pssh. Easy to hide under all our layers.”

“It’s my first game in two months and I get kicked out for bringing in contraband.”

“I forgot what a rule follower you are. It’s been too long, Row. I miss you so fucking much, our little ray of sunshine.” Riley rests the side of her face on her seat and stares back at me.

“I miss you guys too. Promise I won’t be so distant anymore.”

“You? Row, you’re not to blame for our lack of girls’ nights. I’d be pissed as hell if the roles were reversed, but you’re too nice to say anything to us about it. New Year’s resolution is girl time at least once a month. Whether it be a night on the town or facials on the couch, we’re not letting so much time go without hanging out. Deal?”

“That sounds perfect.” My heart warms, even as the seltzer chills my insides.

They fill the twenty-minute ride with stories about the kids. I miss them too. I can’t believe Emmitt’s crawling around, and Paisley will be taking ski lessons when the football season is over. They’re growing up so fast.

Today isn’t the right time to tell them about everything—my family, Miles, my new bravado—but I promised myself I’d unload it all the next time we’re together without the distraction of a football game.

Kendall pulls into the VIP lot and we load our arms with blankets as we hurry through the gate. It’s not like we’re late. The team is still warming up, but it’s their favorite part of the game. Watching everyone smile, joke around, and stretch. Yeah, the stretching is worth the cost of admission.

Not that we’ve ever had to pay for a ticket.

Jackson and Taylor are already in the season ticket seats we’ve been sitting in for the past three years.

“Hey, girlfriends.” They give us hugs and move down to make room for us.

I hop on my feet to warm up and my gaze immediately finds number eighty-six. Usually, his smile lights up the field and, even from the stands, I can see him cracking jokes to his teammates.

I’ve been watching the games at home, and you’d have to live under a rock not to hear the commentary about Miles Buckingham having an off second half of the season. First, I push him away, then he struggles with his game.

I’m not vain enough to think he’s missing catches because of me. We hadn’t dated very long before things went sour. We’re friends, sure, but I imagine he’s moved on by now. I’ve given him no reason to hold on to the hope that we’d be a couple again.

He’s popular among the ladies, and before he started crushing on me, he’d go home with a different woman every time I saw him out after a game. I’m not naïve enough to think he’s been waiting on the sidelines for me.

I almost snort at my internal joke. Not a funny one. He’s been benched to the sidelines more than he’s had playing time. My heart hurts for him and I want him to have a successful season. Today is the last of the regular season, but the Revs are in the playoff berth. He has time to turn his game around.

---