She glanced between us and then zeroed in on me. “Are you okay? You look funny.”“I’m fine,” I said. “We should probably—” I motioned to the door and slipped around them both, inhaling a deep breath the second I got outside.I didn’t wait for them. I was too embarrassed, too confused about what had just happened. Kaiden had kissed me. But it felt like more… it felt like we’d shared a moment.Don’t do that, Lily. Don’t make it into something it isn’t. He was distracting you. That’s all. “Hey, are you okay?” Ashleigh asked as I sat down and burrowed into her side.“Yep, why wouldn’t I be?”She studied me for the longest second, but then Kaiden and Lindsey reached us. “So, dude,” his friend said, “how was she?” I stiffened.“Like I’m going to tell you.” Kaiden dropped down in his chair and stretched out his long legs. His eyes flickered to mine, but I quickly averted my gaze.“You were down there longer than seven minutes,” his friend added. “Did she get on her knees and—”“Bryan, I said

KaidenI’D FUCKED UP.She was Coach Ford’s daughter.His fucking daughter.It was obvious now. Same blue eyes, same dark hair. But I hadn’t seen it then. I’d been too busy focused on the girl trying to disappear.Well done, asshole.Now she was standing there, looking at me like I’d just kicked her puppy.Her bottom lip wobbled. “B-but I thought—”“You thought wrong,” I swallowed over the lump in my throat. I had to get the fuck out of here before she cried and Coach hauled me into his office for making his daughter sob. Fuck.How had this happened?And why the fuck hadn’t anyone told me?Without another word, I spun on my heel and walked away from her. It was an asshole move, but it was a damn sight better than the alternative.Coach’s daughter.Lily Ford.It was the worst fucking thing that could happen to me.Bryan frowned as I rejoined him and the rest of our crew. “Everything okay?”“She’s Coach’s daughter.”“Oh fuck,” he balked before bursting into laughter.“Fuck off,” I grumbl

“That must be him.” Mom’s eyes crinkled, but it wasn’t out of fondness. “We’re in here, Lew,” she called.“You’re home?” Dad glowered at me. “They let you out of practice early?” “No, practice already got done.”He grunted. “What kind of two-bit program is Ford running over there?”“Dad, come on. You know Rixon High has one of the best programs in state.”Mom cast me a warning look. “Why don’t you sit, Lew, and I’ll get you a drink?” She tried to guide him over to a stool, but he shirked her off.“I can get my own goddamn drink, Tina.”“Okay, I was only offering.” She went back to the cookies, transferring them to a plate. “Has he announced the roster yet?”“Not yet.”“Well, what the hell is he waiting for? You need to be on that starting lineup, Son.”“I know, Dad. And I will be.”“If you’d have gone to Millington like I’d wanted, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.Coach Garrick was more than willing to give you game time.”“Millington haven’t made the playoffs for almost a dec

“He’s just worried.”“Yeah,” I slammed my locker a little too forcefully. “Well, I just wish he’d stop. Nothing even happened.”“Really?” Ashleigh gave me a pointed look. Peyton was across the hall, being pressed up against the locker by Sean.“Does she even like him?” I mused.“Does she ever?” Ashleigh shrugged. “You know you can tell me anything, right? Judgment free zone.”“I know.” I nodded. “I’d better go before she makes a scene.” I took off down the hall and knocked on the guidance counsellor’s door.“Come in,” she said, beckoning me inside.“Hey, Mrs. B.”“Take a seat, Lily.”“I know my dad probably asked you to check in on me, but it isn’t necessary—” “Sit,” she said, steepling her fingers.Reluctantly, I sat down.“How are things?”“Fine.”“Fine?” Her brow rose. “You know fine is often code for not fine.”“Well, I hate to disappoint, but everything is fine.”“Lily, I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”“There’s nothing to talk about,” I said, feeling my throat go dry.“

THE MOOD at practice was tense. Everyone felt it. Coach spent the entire time scowling as he watched us run drills and work through plays. His scrutiny burned into me from across the field. The stifling anticipation ahead of Friday’s announcement.“Okay, bring it in,” he eventually yelled after a grueling ninety minutes. Sweat rolled down my back, my jersey damp and dirty. The Raiders defensive players had been brutal today, slamming into me as if we were playing the game of our lives. It didn’t take much to figure out what was going on. I’d seen Monroe smirking, high-fiving them, and cheering them on from the sidelines. He was gunning for me and he’d roped his team in to do his dirty work.Asshole.I ripped my helmet off and traipsed over to the huddle.“Nice work out there. Monroe, nice passing,” Coach said. “I’m not sure what’s gotten into you today, Thatcher, but I suggest you leave your shit at the door tomorrow.”My spine stiffened. Gav shot me a hard look. His eyes glittering w