Page 93 of First Down Promise

Pete glances from me to my bag and back again before he shakes his head and focuses on the TV, where a replay compilation from other football games plays. It’s the only thing he’s watched since coming home from the hospital, and I haven’t missed the way he has avoided watching any Iron Stallions content.

“No,” he deadpans.

I screw the lid on and add the thick straw through the top. Setting it on the counter, I tiptoe toward him. “I’m, um…” I trail off.

“Going to Josh’s?” he interrupts.

“Yeah.”

Pete’s mouth pulls into a tight line. “For the night?”

“Probably,” I whisper. “But I can stay instead.”

“No. Go. Go fuck him.” His jaw shifts, and he looks away from me. His words sting, and guilt immediately follows because I deserve some of his anger for lying to him. But I’ve also grown tired of his bitterness over the past few days.

I move in front of the TV, and he sighs dramatically. I cross my arms over my chest and tap my foot on the area rug.

“Do you want me to move out?” I ask.

“Abby…” he groans.

I raise my eyebrows. “Yes or no?”

“Of course not!” he yells and immediately gasps, reaching for his ribs.

“Josh misses you. We’re adults. I don’t know what to tell you, Pete, but you have to let it go.” I rake my fingers over the top of my head and through my waves. “I’m so sorry you got into an accident and had your season ended. I’m sorry I lied to you. It was never meant to go like this. But when are you going to stop punishing me? We’re all each other has.” My breaths come faster as the confrontation heats up, and Pete is expressionless, quick to look away whenever our eyes meet.

“When I can get the image of you on top of Josh out of my head.”

“You didn’t see anything,” I say through gritted teeth.

“I saw enough.”

“He’s the one for me, you know?”

Pete shakes his head. “Are you the one for him?”

My stomach knots despite everything Josh has done to prove he’s serious. I nearly rip the cuff off my wrist and toss it at him. “What do you think?” I ask as he reads the inside inscription. “He gave me that a couple of weeks ago after our Christmas exchange.”

“That’s…something,” he says, setting my cuff on the end table next to him.

I roll my eyes and step to the side to grab it. “Whatever. I’m leaving.” I turn on my heel for the kitchen, snapping the bracelet back on my wrist.

“Could you get me a new ice pack?”

I tear the freezer door open and snatch one of the squishy, moldable ice packs he’s been alternating between. I toss the ice pack at him, and it lands on his crotch before he can catch it.

“Pete! I’m sorry!” I squeal.

“Fuck, Abby,” he cries out, moving the ice pack. “Didn’t know I needed to wear a cup around here, too.”

“I should go.”

I grab my overnight bag’s handles and rush down the hall to the garage before he can add anything else.

At least my car offers a comforting private space. I sink against the driver’s seat and force my shoulders to relax as my pulse ticks back down to normal. Maybe I should move out, either permanently or until the dust settles. But where the hell would I go? I couldn’t afford a place by myself, and it’s too soon to be considering living with Josh. Sadie doesn’t have enough room. I could always crash with Dane, but he’d just do that silent judgment thing he’s mastered. Coop could be an option, but even that is a little awkward.

I finally turn the ignition on and open the garage door. I make my way through our neighborhood with my mind still distracted, but fortunately, it’s all side streets and less than a mile to Josh’s house. Given Pete’s recent accident and the cause of my parents’ deaths, this is the furthest I want to drive for a while. Another reason why crashing with Coop or Dane while the dust settles wouldn’t work.