Chapter 45
Randy
The past few weeks we have been trying to pull answers from Walsh, even offering support and understanding.
We are still trying to get to the bottom of what happened to him, and very slowly he is opening up more and more.
Physically he is fine to play next season.
I just don’t know what emotional scars he’s going to carry from this and what we can do to help with that.
Our dinner together with just us guys didn’t get the answers we wanted; although, it did end up getting messy, and Shelby had to come pick us up.
Christian and I thought maybe we could get some truths out of Walsh via tequila, but after over half a bottle, we were all shit-faced and had no idea what truth we were trying to seek.
Once we let up bombarding Walsh with questions, we turned on Seth.
He admitted that it was Abigail that day at the diner, and that he has seen her a few times around campus.
I didn’t question if the awkwardness was something to do with their personal history or Heather.
He didn’t give us much; either way, after the countless shots he had thrown back you could see the vulnerability and affect her presence was having on him.
We suggested he should probably do something about it—talk to her or else he is just going to stay in this fucked-up limbo.
He didn’t answer us, but I think he thought on it before our next round of drinks arrived that night.
Either way, it was good to catch up with just us four where we could simply drink, laugh, and reflect.
This past year has been memorable, to say the least. Between Christian and Shelby, the kidnapping, the bet, and losing the championship—not to mention Cole, the massive all-in brawl, and the drama with Walsh and Seth—it’s been a rollercoaster.
Meeting Rachel has been the pinnacle. And Seth was right, like he usually is, Sam has made everything better.
If anything, having him in my life has grounded me, and made me love his mom even more.
Sam is incredible, and a handsome bundle of energy and happiness.
I know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him or his mother.
Seeing his car seat in the back of my truck makes me smile every time I see it.
These feelings used to scare me, but now it just reassures me that this is real.
There have definitely been some challenges, but as I make my way down the hallway holding Rachel’s hand, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m content as we approach final exams and wrap up another year of college.
The football season should have been better, but it has made me so much more determined for next season.
Christian holds Shelby’s hand as they walk ahead of us, weaving through the crowded halls.
The building buzzes with the anxiousness of final exams, students rushing past in every direction as we worm our way forward.
“I’m heading this way,” Walsh says from behind me, him and Seth bringing up the rear.
I turn to look at him as he points to the right. His left eye is still black, with a faint tinge blooming around his right from the broken nose. His dad had taken him to his childhood dentist, who fixed the missing tooth. Coach had insisted on covering the cost.
“The science building?” Shelby asks, her blonde hair swept up in a high ponytail, as Christian keeps her close to his side.
“Yeah, gotta see someone,” he says, slapping Seth on the shoulder to reassure him.
“You have other friends besides us?” I joke.
“Better ones,” he throws back, grinning as he turns to leave.
He barely gets ten feet before an attractive girl stops him mid-stride, blatantly flirting.
He brushes her off with a quick excuse and jogs toward the science department.
He’s always had girls chasing him—but ever since Shelby’s kidnapping, the attention has only intensified.
“So, Seth, if you see Abigail today, can you finally point her out to me?” I tease.
“No,” his deep voice replies from behind me.
I turn and glance at him. His expression is hard as he digs out a cigarette while we exit the building near the quad. Within seconds of stepping outside, he lights up, letting the smoke curl into the air.
Rachel shoots me with a skeptical look as we make our way down the concrete stairs and onto the path. “You don’t need to know anymore.”
“Are you kidding me?” I differ. “Have you seen how much this girl affects him?” I gesture with my head behind me. “This is someone I need to meet.”
“Didn’t you and Rachel see her at the diner?” Shelby asks, referring to Abigail.
“I didn’t really look at her. If you placed her in a lineup, I wouldn’t be able to pick her out. I only noticed how much she affected him. I think I’m going to keep bringing her up until he does something about it,” I thumb Seth.
“I’ll punch you in the face,” Seth growls as we stop and form a loose circle on the sidewalk.
“No, you won’t,” I reply cockily. “All I’m saying is the next time you see her, don’t be a coward. Just talk to her.”
“Leave him alone,” Shelby laughs. “He has Georgina.”
“And Harper. And Laci,” Christian adds.
“And the countless others,” I throw in.
“Fuck off,” Seth grunts as the smoke curls around his face. “You all need hobbies.”
I just laugh as his eyes roam anywhere but on us. “Oh, did you not catch the names of the two you slept with on New Year’s?” I add, ribbing him further.
“Two?” Shelby echoes, eyebrows raised.
Christian sucks in a hard breath, almost mocking Seth.
Shelby turns to him. “Well…how many have you had at one time?” she asks.
I bark out a laugh I can’t hold back when Christian’s face falls in panic.
Rachel swivels to me, her eyebrows now raised in question. “Well, how many have you had at once?”
My face falls flat. “...Anyway, we were talking about Seth,” I say, pulling Rachel hard and firm against my chest and pressing a kiss to her forehead
“So just because you were a pathetic, lovesick pussy when Rachel wanted nothing to do with you, I have to act like one too?” Seth exhales, smoke billowing upward and acting like a shield between us.
“Hey, I wasn’t that bad.”
“I beg to differ,” Christian comments.
“Threesomes,” Shelby taunts.
“Fine, I admit it. I was pathetic. Desperate. Strung-out, wrecked. A hollow, moody shell. I only want you, just you. Fuck the past. Nothing before you even matters.” I reach down, locking my lips with hers.
“Awww…” Shelby gushes.
“Well, Randy has admitted it, maybe it’s your turn. Stop living with the shadows of your past and do something about it.
“She was an ex, right?” Shelby asks.
Rachel’s eyes widen. “Oh, so we are in regret territory?”
“She wasn’t just an ex,” he mutters. “She was... more.”
“Major regret territory,” Rachel murmurs, still tucked hard at my side.
“I’m done with this conversation,” Seth deadpans, taking a deep pull on his cigarette, eyes roaming the quad like he couldn’t be more bored.
“Who’s cooking tonight?” Christian asks, shifting the focus.
“I am,” Seth replies, “as long as Shelby, and not Rachel, picks the movie.”
“Hey!” Rachel protests.
“Done,” Shelby declares.
I’m not going to argue, I’m on Seth’s side with this one. “Anyway, we’re going this way,” I say, pointing.
“See you at home,” Christian nods.
“Bye,” Shelby adds with a wave as she, Christian, and Seth continue down the path.
I walk my girl to her last class of the day and savor every moment of it. Christian and Shelby are heading to Australia next week as the semester wraps up. The rest of us are staying local, and I plan on taking Sam down to visit Mom with Rachel every chance we get.
When we reach Rachel’s class, I gently press her against the wall. The hallway is packed, but I don’t give a damn as I hover my lips near hers. “Do you know how much you and Sam mean to me?” I ask, gazing into those warm brown eyes.
She places her hands on my chest, then slides them up my neck, pulling me closer. “You know what,” she whispers. “I do.”
“Good. Never forget it,” I say, pressing a kiss to her lips.
This year is going to be epic. I’ve got my girl, who has the best kid in the world, and we are about to be seniors.
And the best part of all…the championship will be ours.
The End.