92

“Listen, Jase, I’m not sure Penn State is—”

“Fuck Penn State. You’ve got to do what’s best for your family, I get it. It was always my dream anyway. But this year, it’s ours. I can do it without you, but honestly,”—Jase locked eyes on me—“I don’t want to.”

“Worried you’re nothing without your star wide receiver?” I smirked.

“Damn right I am. Kaiden is good but he’s no Fourteen.” He gave me a rare smile. “So what do you say, Chase? Are you in?”

“I can’t promise anything but if Mom is okay and the doctors are happy with her progress then yeah, I’m in.” Coach had already said I could cut back on practice if I needed to.

Relief settled in my best friend’s eyes, his shoulders sagging, and for the first time in my life, I saw Jason Ford lower his walls. He really meant every word he’d just said.

And that meant something to me.

Despite all the highs and lows and events of the last few weeks, the fact he’d finally managed to look past himself and football, meant something.

“So, you and Hailee