Page 178 of Red Zone
We’re in public.
I slam my door shut, the sound echoing through the quiet football house.
I know she’s right.
I know it’s not a good look for her. Not here. Not now.
Her whole career depends on people taking her seriously, and no one’s going to do that if they think she’s just sleeping with the quarterback to climb the ladder.
It has nothing to do with me.
It doesn’t matter where I came from or how I grew up or how I’ve never once had anyone choose
me when it really counted.
It’s just…bad optics.
That’s what I keep telling myself anyway.
Even if it feels like shit every time she pulls away.
I grab my jacket off the hook and head out the door, the cold night air biting at my skin.
It’s Saturday. Hockey house party. Beck insisted I come with him.
Said something about needing his “trusty wingman” now that he’s decided it’s time to get back into the dating scene after his breakup.
I didn’t even want to go at first, but the idea of sitting here all night and stewing over Lyla is worse.
So here I am, walking across campus, hands shoved deep in my pockets, trying to convince myself this isn’t about her.
That everything I feel when she looks at me like I’m more than just the kid from nowhere—that’s just in my head.
That I can shove it all back down and be fine.
By the time I get to the hockey house, the music’s already thumping through the walls, and a line of people snakes out the door.
I find Beck leaning against the porch rail, a beer in his hand, dark hair falling into his eyes as he scans the crowd.
When he spots me, he grins and lifts his drink in greeting.
“About time, Hayes,” he calls over the noise. “Thought you were gonna bail on me.”
I force a smirk.
“Nah,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “Wouldn’t leave you hanging.”
Because that’s what I do.
Show up.
Even when nobody does the same for me.
We walk up the porch steps, Beck straightening his collar like he’s about to walk into a damn job interview.
“You’re nervous,” I mutter, hiding a smirk as I tug my hood down.
He scoffs, but the way he keeps glancing at the door gives him away.
