By His Play

Prologue

PROLOGUE

Effie

“ Y ou’ve got this, K. Get out there and smash them. I’ll be watching, I promise.”

“I know. I just hate you not being here.” I vividly picture the pout that'll be playing on his lips. Sure, he might be displaying his drama queen tendencies, but with everything going on, I'll give him a free pass today.

He’s playing in the conference championship. The final step to the Super Bowl. It’s been his dream for as long as I’ve known him. And that’s a pretty long time.

A bitter laugh threatens to escape. I’ll never understand what he sees in me that has kept us connected all these years. Honestly, I’ve mostly given up thinking about it.

Kieran Callahan is an enigma that even I, his best friend, can’t figure out.

“You don’t need me there,” I assure him. “And anyway, I’ll be screaming so loudly at the TV you’ll probably hear me from there.”

“Maybe if we were at home. But out here…” He trails off.

His voice cracks, showing his nerves, and it makes my own anxiety spike.

He’s not going into this game pumped for the win like he usually does. He’s stressed and feeling the pressure. All I want to do is fix it.

“Enough of the negativity, Callahan. Get your head out of your ass and go out there fighting. You’re going to be the best goddamn running back on that field. Now get out there and make sure every motherfucker watching knows it.”

I cringe at my own pep talk. But sometimes, I’ve just got to swallow my pride and tell my best friend how it is.

He’s the best football player I’ve ever known. Okay, so until recently, he may be the only professional football player I’ve ever known, but he doesn’t need to know that right now.

“I’ve got this,” he says, a little hesitantly.

“It’s just another game,” I assure him. “I’m watching, your brothers are watching. And we’ll all be there with you for the next one.”

He’s silent for a moment. My nerves grow as I wait for what he’s going to say next.

“We’re gonna do it, Luck,” he says shortening my lucky charm nickname he gave me all those years ago. “We’re gonna fucking do it.”

“Hell yeah, you are.”

“You got it. I’ll see you on the other side.”

“I’m with you all the way,” I promise.

We both pause for a beat before we simultaneously chant,“Three. Two. One. Win.”

And then just like always, Kieran cuts the call.

I blow out a breath as I lower my cell to my chest and close my eyes, praying that he can get into the right headspace.

I give myself ten seconds before looking down, and when I do, my eyes immediately lock on the ring on my finger.

My stomach knots.

It’s okay , I tell myself.

He’ll never know.

I’m just doing what I have to do.

Blowing out a long, slow stream of air, I tuck my cell into my pocket and reenter the room I stepped out of only minutes ago.

The TV shows the build-up to the game and a mix of excitement and nerves flutters in my stomach as I think of Kieran in the locker room going through the rest of his pre-game ritual. I became a part of it junior year of high school. It was the last game of the season, and he wanted to make a killer impression on their coach before embarking on his final year. They dominated that game, and he put it down to me. He has called me without fail before every single game he’s played since that day. And no matter where I am or what I’m doing—I'm almost always either sitting in the stadium or in front of a TV, ready to watch—I take the call.

I’m sure it’s a habit that many would say I should have broken a long time ago. But I can’t. It means too much to Kieran, and I love that I’m able to help him and be a part of his success.

I’ve enjoyed every second of watching his career grow. He deserves it. He’s an incredible player and a wonderful person.

“Everything okay?” Grams asks as I lower into the chair beside her.

I look over, relieved to see the sparkle in her eyes that I love so much. It’s becoming less and less every day now.

Sadness tugs at my chest. Apart from Kieran, Grams has been the one constant in my life. The thought of losing her, of living a life without her, terrifies me. But there isn’t much I can do about it. Not only is her mind giving up, but her body is too. Every single second that passes is one less I get to spend with her.

It’s why I’m not in San Francisco at the game right now, supporting Kieran in person.

I hate that I’m not, but I couldn’t leave her.

I fight the pained sigh that threatens. It’s like my heart is being ripped in two with the need to be in both places at once.

But Grams needs me more right now. Kieran will have more games, and anyway, I’m watching, I’m supporting him, just…from a distance.

“Yeah, everything is great. Kieran is a little nervous.”

“Well, that’s to be expected. He’ll want his fiancée by his side for big days like this,” she says so confidently that I’d question her diagnosis if I didn’t know better.

My stomach knots and my eyes drop to my ring again.

“Yeah,” I muse.

“I just can’t believe it…after all these years. I mean, I knew. That boy has loved you from the moment you met. But I never thought I’d see the day when he figured it out. I just wish I could be there on the big day.”

A giant ball of emotion crawls up my throat. My nose itches and my eyes burn.

“You’re going to make the most beautiful bride, Effie.”

Pain shoots up my arms as I curl my fists, digging my nails into my palms in an attempt to distract myself.

“You’ll be there,” I choke out. “You’re too stubborn not to be.”

It’s a lie.

She’s not going to make it. And not just because of her declining health.

It’s because all of this is fake.

Kieran friend-zoned me a long time ago.

But what are you meant to do when your only grandmother’s dying wish is for you to get engaged and marry the man of your dreams?

You give her exactly what she wants.