Page 145 of Broken Play
Maybe that’s not my battle to fight.
I swallow hard, gripping the back of my neck. “So, what? I just let her go?”
Mom’s smile softens, but there’s something knowing in her eyes. “Sometimes, the things we love most have to find their own way back to us with their own answers.” She reaches over, squeezing my hand. “All we can do is hope they come back sooner rather than later.”
My stomach twists—what if she doesn’t? What if she takes too long?
What if she never realizes I’ve been standing here, ready and waiting—and I move on before she figures it out?
The thought makes me sick.
Because no matter how hard I try to convince myself she isn’t my whole world, that I could move on…
I don’t think I ever really will.
The rhythmic clang of weights and low thrum of music fill the gym, but my mind is miles away. I focus on my reps, my muscles burning in that good way—the way that usually clears my head—but nothing really shuts it off anymore.
Carter is across from me, spotting while I finish my last few reps on the bench press. He nods approvingly as I rack the bar, stepping back with a smirk. “Not bad, Montgomery. Didn’t even need my help.”
I sit up, rolling my shoulders, sweat dripping down my back. “Yeah, well, I gotta make sure I don’t get my ass handed to me at Pro Day.”
“Doubt that’ll happen,” he says, grabbing his towel and wiping his face. “Scouts already know what you can do.”
Before I can respond, I hear footsteps approaching.
Logan.
I brace myself, sitting a little straighter as he stops a few feetaway. His hands are in his pockets, his expression hesitant, like he’s not sure how this is gonna go.
Carter looks between us but stays quiet.
Logan exhales, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “Look, man… I know I already said it before, but I just—I really am sorry for what I said at the party. I was being a dick, and I didn’t think about how it would affect you or Madison.” He swallows hard, his gaze steady. “I respect the hell out of you, and I don’t wanna be that guy. I hope you know that.”
I study him for a second, weighing his words. I’m not the type to hold grudges, never have been. And at the end of the day, Logan’s just a guy who said some dumb shit.
I let out a slow breath, nodding. “It’s over, man. Apology accepted.”
Relief flashes across his face, and he sticks out a fist. I bump it, and just like that, it’s done.
After Logan takes off, Carter and I finish our workout, pushing each other through a few more sets before finally calling it. After showering and changing, Carter claps me on the back as we head out of the locker room.
“Bar?” he asks.
I shrug. “Sure. Need food anyways.”
We walk over to the campus bar, the usual buzz of students filtering in and out. The bar is packed, dimly lit, with the hum of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter cutting through the music playing over the speakers. The air smells like spilled beer, fried food, and cheap cologne from a group of guys standing too close to the pool table.
Carter and I slide into a booth across from Lyla, the worn leather seats sticking slightly to my skin as I lean back, stretching my legs out. A neon beer sign flickers above the bar, casting a dull yellow glow over everything.
“Ohhh, well if it isn’t two of my favorite dumbasses,” Lyla drawls, swirling her drink in her hand as she smirks at us.
Carter scoffs, leaning on his elbows. “Real warm welcome, Ly. Feels great.”
I smirk, shaking my head. “Nice to see you too.”
She levels me with a look, and I can tell she knows something. When Carter shifts next to me, rubbing the back of his neck, I know it too.
My eyes narrow slightly, bouncing between them. “Okay, what’s going on with you two?”
