“Yeah. Our parents want to do dinner.”
“I figured. Hotel lobby?”
“I’ll tell them.” She gives me another hug, and steps away. I watch her as she loops her arm through Tessa’s, and they walk toward the tunnel. Spying Nixon ahead, I take off running to catch up with him. As soon as the locker room door opens, Levi is standing there, his smile a mile wide.
“Hell fucking yes! Three in a row.” He’s already got his arm around Hank’s neck. “The three of you are unstoppable. If any team is lucky enough to get all three of you… that’s a lethal combination.”
“That’s highly unlikely,” Nixon speaks up.
Levi shrugs. “Yeah, but it would be badass. Where’s the party?” he asks.
“Not until we get back home,” Hank tells him. “We didn’t want to plan it here and lose, and that would suck balls. So it’s for when we get home. We figured it would be either a celebration or a goodbye to the season kind of party. We all agreed that no one would have felt like it tonight if we lost.”
“That would have sucked.” Levi chuckles. “I can’t stay anyway. I’m heading out tonight. I have to catch the redeye. I have a game tomorrow.”
Levi was drafted to the Dragons last year. He hasn’t got a lot of playing time this year, but his time is coming. He’s too good to just sit the bench. “Thanks for coming out, man.”
“And miss this? Never. You guys take care. I’ll catch up with you soon.” He walks away with his phone at his ear.
“Where’s he off to in such a hurry?” Hank asks as the three of us watch him leave.
“Reese says he’s dating. Some model or something. My guess is that he’s going home to her.”
“Fuck, that’s us in just a matter of months. I can’t fucking wait.” Hank slaps Nixon and me on the back and walks away.
“That gonna be you, Coop?” Nixon asks, raising his eyebrows.
I roll my eyes and groan. “Not this again. Come on. Leave it alone already.”
“Your loss, my man. It’s your loss.” He heads toward the showers.
I want to scream after him that I know it’s my loss. That I feel that weight of that impending loss as it sits heavy on my chest. I’m trying to hold out hope that maybe just maybe things might be different from how I imagine them to go.
Maybe.Chapter 14ReeseWe’ve been back at campus for almost a week, and the student body is still flying high and celebrating the win. The entire football team has pretty much reached full-on celebrity status. There have been news crews driving around looking to interview the players about what their next steps are, and even a few that have been snapping pictures of Nixon and Tessa, and her shiny new diamond ring.
My best friend is glowing. I’ve never seen her smile this much, and I couldn’t be happier for her. Nixon is a great guy, and they deserve nothing but the best. I’ve been teasing her about putting my name on their wedding invitations as the responsible party for their nuptials.
“Hey, what about me?” Cooper asks. “I was there for this arrangement.” He points his french fry at Tessa and Nixon before popping it in his mouth.
“When we get to that step, we will definitely discuss it,” Tessa says to appease us.
“So, you ladies ready for this epic party tomorrow?” Hank asks, sliding into the seat next to me.
“Epic, huh? You sure you’re at that level?” I tease him.
“Oh, sweetheart, it’s going to be legendary. Students for years to come are going to hear about this one.” He winks.
“I’m going to pick up the kegs when we’re done here,” Nixon tells him.
“Reese and I are going to stop and pick up some cups, chips, and maybe some dip or some brownies or something.”
“You two”—Hank points at me then Tessa—“have been stingy on the brownies lately. What’s up with that?”
“Well, you see, it’s this little thing called college. We’re trying to finish it. Not to mention, we’ve traveled to more of your away games this year,” I defend.
“Because these two are pussy-whipped,” he quips.
“Watch it,” Cooper growls.
“Yep,” Nixon says, not a care in the world. I love how much he loves Tessa. It gives me hope to find a love like that one day. To find a man who’s not afraid to tell the world what you mean to him. As for Cooper, he’s just being the protective best friend he’s always been. If anything, he’s consistent.
“Hey, Hank.” Some tall, leggy blonde slides up to him.
“Hey, gorgeous.” He winks at her before turning back to us. “I’ll catch you guys later.” Just like that, he’s gone, the leggy blonde hanging on his arm as they walk out of the building.
“That’s the third girl I’ve seen him with this week,” Tessa comments.