Chapter 12
A few of Hayes’s Alpha Delta brothers spot Amber and call out, inviting her to go with them to the big Homecoming weekend dayger at the frat house tomorrow. She just giggles and waves them off. I get the sinking feeling she’s already planning to go with someone—Hayes.
Moments later, the team appears.
The crowd erupts as the players jog over, rowdy and triumphant, grinning like warriors fresh off the battlefield.
Dylan and Tony fist bump each other while the rest of the team piles on Hayes, slapping his back as if he’s the second coming.
That’s what happens when you throw six touchdowns in a single game.
I notice Hayes’s jersey is soaked with Gatorade, because of course it is. Over the years, I’ve learned that football teams love nothing more than dumping coolers over the MVP. I’ve watched Hayes get doused with more neon sports drinks than I can remember.
Still, even dripping wet and flushed from adrenaline, he’s annoyingly attractive.
Like he just walked off a film set. Night-black hair clings to his forehead in damp waves, droplets trailing down the sharp line of his jaw.
His jersey is plastered to his chest, outlining every muscle, and his piercing blue eyes spark with the thrill of conquest—alive, electric, dangerous. He looks like trouble.
The good kind.
The kind you want to run to, even when you know you should be running away.
He scans the crowd, searching, until his eyes find mine. Our gazes catch and the noise around me fades. It’s just him and me, standing on opposite sides of a raucous mob, tethered by something we never seem able to name.
He grins that crooked, devastating smile I know by heart and lifts a hand in a slow wave. For just a moment, it feels like high school again. Back when everything between us was simpler. Before he started pulling away, and I never had to wonder if he’d make time for me.
But then—
Amber barrels through the crowd, squealing as she launches herself at him.
He catches her with ease, arms wrapping around her in a full-body embrace.
The moment she realizes he’s drenched, she lets out a dramatic shriek.
He just laughs and shakes his wet hair at her, flinging droplets across her dress like it’s some inside joke between them.
Something petty and sharp uncoils inside me. It looks like my sister has everything back on track. And judging by the smile tugging at Hayes’s mouth, he doesn’t seem to mind.
Amber laces her fingers through his and leads him over to where Mom and I wait.
I glance away, forcing the jealousy down, reminding myself there are bigger things to worry about than my sister’s attempts to resurrect an old romance.
Even if it’s with the one person I care about in a way I wish I didn’t.
“Good game, Hay,” I manage, the words catching in my throat.
“Thanks, Alligator.”
He grins—and before I can react, scoops me into his arms and lifts me off the ground, spinning me around in a blur of lights and cheers. The world tilts and vanishes. All I feel is him. Strong and solid. Arms locked around me like I belong there. He holds me almost like I’m his.
Even if I never really will be.
Unlike my sister, I don’t care that he’s drenched in some sticky sports drink or messing up my outfit. I lean in closer, greedy for him and for the feeling of being held like this. I could stay wrapped in this moment forever.
He sets me back down all too soon. My feet hit the pavement though my heart’s still somewhere up in the clouds. I stumble back, lightheaded and a bit giddy.
“Whoa. Careful,” he says, steadying me. His hands linger on my shoulders—strong, grounding.
“Great game!” my mom says brightly. “I’m so proud of you, Hayden.”
“Thanks, Mel.” He pats his chest where her lumpy necklace is still tucked beneath his jersey and pads. “I owe it all to your good luck charm.”
“My pleasure, hun,” she says, smoothing down her hair. Then she leans in like she’s revealing top-secret intel. “I saw some men in suits in the stands. I think they were NFL scouts.”
“Probably.” He shrugs. “I try not to focus on that stuff.”
“Must be nice,” I say, only half joking.
Hayes was recruited by every top school in the country without even trying. He could’ve gone anywhere he wanted. Ivy League. Full Division 1 football powerhouse. But no. He chose to stay here at a tiny college in our hometown.
I still think he’s insane, but his parents wanted him close. His family’s old-school, deeply traditional. His father is expecting Hayes to eventually take over their billion-dollar international shipping empire. As the only son and heir, Hayes is expected to run the family business one day.
“I still can’t believe you’re both in college now.
And Amber’s next.” Mom sighs, a little wistfully.
“Sometimes I wish I’d finished school. Gotten my art degree,” she says, getting misty-eyed as she tousles Amber’s hair.
“But then I got knocked up with Alysander and then Ambrosia, and, well… there went that.”
“Mom!” Amber jerks away, horrified. “How many times do I have to tell you—it’s Amber!”
Up ahead, the coach gives Hayes a wave and jerks his thumb toward the locker room. A few players start jogging toward the doors.
“I should head in,” Hayes says, hesitating. There’s something in his eyes that looks reluctant, like he’s not ready to leave just yet. “Thanks for coming tonight. Really—it means a lot.”
His smile falters for a beat, just long enough to twist something in my chest. I still can’t believe his parents missed his first college Homecoming game. It’s so unlike them. Especially Kora. She never misses anything important.
It makes me wonder again if there’s more going on with his family than he’s let on. He hasn’t said much about it to me, but then again, I haven’t exactly asked much, either.
“Of course, silly. I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.
” Amber’s voice is light and annoyingly possessive, like his words were meant only for her.
“So, where to after? Anything going on at the frat house?” she asks, slipping her hand into his and giving him a suggestive look. “Or… we could head back to your place?”
He glances down at his feet.
“Actually, I’m beat,” he says, his cleats shuffling over the concrete. “Think I’ll just head home after Coach’s recap.”
I glance at him, surprised, but he’s still staring at the ground.
This is… unexpected. Hayes doesn’t do too tired to party—especially not on a Saturday night. And definitely not during Homecoming weekend.
“But I thought we were going out tonight?” Panic creeps into Amber’s voice.
“Sorry. Not feeling it.” He shrugs. “But I’ll see you at the Alpha Delts party tomorrow, right?”
“Well… duh!” She forces a laugh that lands a little too sharp. I can hear the crack of disappointment behind the fake cheer.
Meanwhile, I’m ecstatic.
I shouldn’t be. I know that. But I can’t help the little smile tugging at my lips. Maybe Hayes and I won’t hang out tonight like I’d hoped, but at least he’s not spending the evening with her, either.
“Have a great night, Hay!” I chirp, looping my arm through Mom’s and tugging her toward the parking lot. “Catch you later!”
“Actually, Al—hold up.”
He catches my wrist, pulling me back gently.
“Yeah?”
“Can I give you a ride home?”
“What?” Amber gasps. “I thought we were riding home together?”
“Al and I need to talk,” he says. “Argy stuff.”
“Oh. Okay, sure.” Her shoulders drop, interest evaporating the second the conversation turns to the dog. “Call me later, handsome. Can’t wait for tomorrow!”
She leans in to kiss his cheek, smile tight. I notice the way her steps falter slightly as she heads for Mom’s car—alone now, no longer riding shotgun with the star quarterback. But I don’t feel too bad for her. She’ll bounce back.
She always does.
“See you back home, sweetie,” Mom says, pulling me into a hug. “Let me know if you’re going to be out late.”
I let her hold me a little longer than I normally would because I still feel guilty about our argument earlier.
Even when she sides with Amber, I know she means well.
She’s not malicious. She just wants peace.
It really does hurt her to see us constantly at odds.
Mom believes family should stick together, especially one as small and fractured as ours.
It’s just the three of us, after all. It makes sense to cling tight to what’s left.
I don’t necessarily disagree.
It’d just be a lot easier if Amber weren’t such a little shit most of the time.
Hayes tosses me his car keys, and I walk back toward the parking lot with Mom and Amber, say my goodbyes, and head for his SUV.
I find the G-Wagon easily enough—it’s parked right up front, in the VIP spots. Argyros spots me through the open moonroof and loses his mind, barking and thrashing around in the backseat.
The second I’m inside, the dog launches himself on me, half-jumping, half-climbing into my lap. I laugh, pushing him gently into the backseat, where he finally settles, tongue lolling as he curls up contentedly. Then I plug in my phone and cue up Paramore.
The opening chords fill the car. Angsty, punchy, perfect. I sing along softly to emo girl rock music as Argy drifts off.
I’m halfway through the Riot! album when a figure finally emerges from the shadows. Black joggers. Faded black hoodie. Worn leather jacket on top.
“About time,” I say as Hayes climbs into the driver’s seat. “I was just about to file a missing person’s report.”
“Sorry.” He laughs, starting the engine. “Couldn’t find my hair gel.”
“Oh no. Sounds like a real crisis.”
“You have no idea,” he says, throwing the SUV into drive and pulling out of the school parking lot.
I switch the music to his favorite Muse track, and soon we’re scream-singing “Supermassive Black Hole” at the top of our lungs while Argy snores in the backseat. Hayes is obsessed with Muse. He dragged me all the way to the Forum in LA last spring to see them live.