Page 160 of Only in Your Dreams

“How was your meeting with the big boss?” Parker asks when I don’t say anything.

“Oh, you know,” I say, glancing at Brooks as I shove my hands into my jacket pockets. “He pretended he hasn’t spent the past few months threatening my job. Called mesona bunch of times, like he hadn’t embarrassed me in front of the media more than once. He wants to talk about renewing my contract.”

“Can’t stand that guy,” Brooks mutters.

“But that’s good, right? Why don’t you seem into it?” Parker asks.

“Because I don’t care to coach for him.” I exhale a stream of condensation into the crisp November air. “And because it would keep me here.”

Parker stares off at the field, nodding like he knows exactly what I mean. That Melody would be hours away, working days while I work evenings and coach games on the weekends. It means going half the year with barely a scrap of her.

Brooks runs a hand over his jaw. “What’s the alternative?”

“I found out the Knights are looking for a new coach and that I’m on the shortlist.” I mold the brim of my hat as their heads whip around to look at me. “Their head coach keeps texting me, asking if I’m interested. It really sounds like they want me.”

“They should—the Huskies are a completely different team this season,” Parker says. “Have you told Mel?”

“I’m working up to it. Considering she’d have to work for me if she gets that job… I can’t decide if the news would go down well.”

Brooks tugs at the sleeve of his sweater. “Well, if you need any more motivation to leave the Huskies, Noah’s definitely getting drafted this year. He won’t be back for another season.”

“I know.”

“And… I was planning on doing this more formally. But if it gives you the kick in the ass you need, here goes,” Brooks says, straightening. “I plan on resigning from the team, Coach. I’m out at the end of the season.”

I glance at Parker, who doesn’t seem surprised by the news. “I hope it’s for the reason I think it is.”

It hasn’t been great watching Brooks coast through life in the year since his injury. He’s a top-tier football player, an even better friend, and if he’s about to tell me he’s going to give playing football another shot, I’ll be the first one to celebrate his departure from the team, even if it’ll mean missing having him around.

Brooks exchanges a quick look with Parker, who almost guiltily hikes his gym bag over his shoulder.

“You know, I got the idea from Mel,” Brooks says. “She mentioned once that you got her to write a playbook of things to make her happy again after her breakup. I was thinking about what mine would look like, and it always came back to the way I left the NFL. It never felt like a real end, you know? I was forced out by an injury, and then kept out by my own insecurity of never being able to play the way I did before I got hurt. It’s probably a longshot, but Parker agreed to help get me back into playing shape. I’m going to attempt a comeback.”

I shouldn’t smile. I really shouldn’t. My employee just resigned, and one of my best friends just told me he’s working up to leave Oakwood Bay. In the reality where Noah and Mel are about to do the same, losing Brooks will sting.

But I’m really fucking happy for him.

“You couldn’t have given me better news, man,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Not even when I add that it’ll mean me parting ways with Mel? You know, we never formally broke up.”

The pride in my face turns sour.

Parker snorts, shaking his head. “You’re both idiots. A fake boyfriend… Doesn’t get any dumber than that.”

“Mel wanted to keep it from you.” I shrug. “The only thing I’m guilty of is having no ownership over my own balls.”

“I remember those days,” Brooks says, almost wistfully. “Naomi had me in a chokehold from the day I met her.”

His gaze drops to the grass under our feet, and I swear, there’s nothing like the PTSD I get from listening to Brooks talk about his breakup with Naomi, and the way she shacked up with an ex-teammate of his. It had been a killer cherry on top of the darkest time of his life.

“You ready to date yet?” I ask, knowing full well the answer to that question has been a resoundingnoin the year since it happened.

Predictably, Brooks flinches at my words. “The comeback comes first. Then the rest of my life can happen.”

“Famous last words,” Parker says. He raises an eyebrow, fixing me with a piercing look he and Melody must have choreographed in the womb. “Talk to Mel. You’re kidding yourself if you don’t think she’d jump at the idea of having you out there with her.”

Chapter 42

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