Page 117 of Third and Ten

You can always come back, Ethan, no matter what happens.

Ethan

but…will you stay in camellia? now that pop’s gone and i’m out here, won’t you move back to texas?

or will you stay for jd?

Well, the kid always did get straight to the point. I want to answer him honestly, but I’m still unsure about my future with JD. And then I recall the way I felt when Blake implied just a couple of days ago that I’d be running back to my old life, and I know there’s no way I’ll be able to leave my family again.

Tenley

I’m not going anywhere, I promise. I’ll be around as long as you need me, okay?

Ethan

*heart react*

thanks, aunt ten.

After Ethan, there’s one more conversation left. I reluctantly pull up my text thread with JD, afraid of what I might find. There are two messages now, one of them a generic wellness check, but the other is lengthier.

JD

I’m not trying to impose on your space, but I thought you should know that I received a job offer, one that might affect our relationship. I meant to bring it up Thursday. But I’d like to get your input before I make my decision, if you’re willing to talk.

My heart drops to my toes. He must have been trying to tell me that he’d gotten that official coaching offer from BSU, and I hadn’t even given him the chance to say anything before jumping his case over my problems. And now he’s debating whether it’s even worth sticking around for Ethan and me.

It’s another complication, just minutes after I’ve promised Ethan that I’m not going anywhere. Now I’ll have to fight to get Ethan back, convince JD to forgive me, and manage a relationship with JD working three hours away.

Will I have to choose between them now? I’ve been saying all this time that Ethan’s needs have to come first, but am I supposed to just let JD get away? Would he even be willing to try the long-distance thing for me?

What I do know is that I can’t let him throw his future away on my account, or he’ll resent me later.

Tenley

Hi, I’m okay. I’ve spoken to Ethan, and he’s all right, too.

Congratulations on the job offer. You deserve every opportunity that comes your way, and while I appreciate that you want to consult me before making your decision, I think you should focus on what’s best for your career in the long run. We can always figure out the relationship stuff later.

JD

Glad to hear you and Ethan are good. And thanks for replying, but I’ve already accepted the offer. I start on Monday.

I gulp as I stare down at the screen.

He’s leaving? Like, leaving-leaving? Now?

It figures that as soon as I allow myself to start dreaming about all of that happily-ever-after stuff, it would become impossible all over again. I blink back tears as another message appears.

JD

Any new developments in E’s situation?

Tenley

Not really. Blake says all I can do is wait for Ethan to decide whether he wants to come home on his own.

JD

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