Page 146 of Hometown Halftime

“What’s happening with the combine stuff?”

I shrug one shoulder. “As far as I know everything is still on track, I think.”

“You think?”

“I’m still training every day. My coaches keep me updated. A couple of teams have reached out to my head coach already.”

Poppy straightens. “Wait, seriously?”

I nod. “Nothing official yet, obviously, but…there’s interest.”

A grin spreads across her face. “Riley Weston, look at you.”

Heat creeps up my neck. “It still feels weird talking about it.”

“Well, get used to it, Pro boy.”

I roll my eyes. “Please never call me that again.”

“No promises.”

A laugh slips out of me while she nudges my leg with her foot.

“What teams?”

I hesitate for a second. “Roanoke reached out.”

Poppy absolutely loses her mind. “The Pride?!” she yells.

“Please lower your voice.”

“Oh, my God!” Her entire face lights up. “Riley, that’s your dream team.”

She’s right, ever since I was a kid, the Roanoke Pride has been the team I set my hopes on. I grew up making stadium trips with my family, collecting jerseys, and spending every Sunday watching their games. Every childhood fantasy about football always ended the same way, with me wearing their colors.

And now they’re interested. The realization still feels surreal.

Poppy grabs my arm excitedly. “And if you got drafted there, we’d literally live in the same city.”

That part makes me grin. “Yeah, we would.” I turn my head and ask, “How’s Trevor?”

“He’s good,” she says, wobbling her head. “He works a lot, but things are good.”

“Have you guys set a wedding date yet?” I tap my knee to hers. “I sincerely hope you’re not scheduling anything for football season.”

She looks at me and attempts to smile, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“No, no date yet.”

I don’t press any further because I know it’s a sensitive subject.

Trevor proposed to Poppy almost a year ago after she gave him an ultimatum. That should’ve been warning sign number one. And now there’s no wedding date in sight, but there’s a big rock on her finger to give her hope.

Whenever I ask about Trevor, I always hear the same things. That he works a lot, or he’s on a business trip. I’ve spent time around him a few times, and while he’s nice enough, he’s just…bland. I’m often left wondering what they even have in common.

Poppy perks up beside me, “What about you? Any girls back at school, patiently waiting for your return?”

I rub the back of my neck. “Ah, nope.”