Chapter Thirty RHETT

First drive of the game and barely two minutes in, I throw a beautiful spiral that Brooks catches, and he runs it straight into the end zone.

Touchdown. All for Will.

We lock eyes as I come off the field once we scored our extra point. I send her a nod of recognition, letting her know that was for her, and she smiles, seeming to bounce in her seat. She’s adorable.

Once I secure this win, I’m going to do what I can to secure that one as mine.

The game goes by in a hurried blur of constant motion. By the top of the fourth quarter, we’re up by seventeen points and about to score another touchdown. We run the ball into the end zone in the next play and I’m sure we’ll win.

It’s practically guaranteed.

Our team is playing together like a well-oiled machine. All those months of practice have paid off. The excitement is palpable, the crowd won’t stop yelling their encouragement and goddamn it feels good. The coaching staff allowed my dad on the sidelines because of who he is, and he’s shouting at me every time I’m on the field. His words only fuel me though. Make me better.

Knowing Willow is up in the stands watching me is also fuel. Her parents watching too? I want to impress them. I want to impress everyone.

I’m on a high and I don’t wanna come down any time soon.

One of our tight ends catches the next ball while he’s basically in the end zone, so it’s an easy touchdown. We get the extra point and I’m ready to coast. This team we’re playing isn’t that good; they’re incredibly sloppy. They make a lot of errors that costs them—yardage from penalties, bad throws that turn into interceptions. It’s what allowed us to get ahead of them so quickly.

I have zero complaints.

By the time the game is over, I’m eager to go talk to Willow, but I gotta go through all the game day rituals first. A resounding speech from Coach out on the field with the entire team circled around him, followed by us going to stand in front of the crowd and shout our thank yous for their support. Finally, the crowd starts to disperse, most everyone leaving the stands save for family members, friends and girls.

Plenty of girls.

A group of giggling freshmen approach me and I take a quick photo with them, eager to get them on their way. Can’t let Willow see me with them and think I’m just some player out to bag a girl for the night. There is no one else I’m interested in.

Just her.

Dad reappears with Cal and Mom, who I had no clue was even at the game. I give her a big hug, clutching her close to me, breathing in her familiar, comforting scent before I pull away slightly to stare at her face.

“I didn’t know you were here.”

“Your dad didn’t mention it?” When Dad just offers her a helpless shrug as his answer, she shakes her head. “Well, here I am. I wouldn’t miss this game for the world—we just had to fly in and see our boys play their first games of the season.”

Even though Dad is busy with coaching his own football team, they still make the time to come to almost every single one of our games, unless his team is playing an away game. Mom will usually come alone when that happens, though on occasion she’s gone with Dad to his away games as well. Like the one that was played in Germany last season.

Can’t really blame them for missing our games.

“Hey,” I call to Brooks when he’s about to walk past me. “Take a pic of me and the fam?”

“Sure.” Brooks takes my phone and we pose for him, all three of us guys towering over Mom while she stands in the middle of us, a big smile on her face.

“We’re only missing Kenzie,” Mom says, referring to our sister who’s away at college and living her best life partying all the time. At least that’s what I see on her private stories and her second account on Insta. It’s obvious she’s keeping this from Mom and Dad, but I’m not about to rat her out. I’ll probably be doing the same thing when I’m in college.

“Eli, did you bring the necklace with you?” Mom asks Dad.

He nods. “You want to do this now?”

“I’m sure he’s going to hang out with his friends tonight. Right, Rhett?” Mom tilts her head up to look at me for confirmation.

“Yeah, probably.” I have no idea what they’re talking about.

“I remember what it was like. Your dad and I would hang out after games,” Mom says fondly. “Going to parties.”

“Sneaking around so we wouldn’t get caught together,” Dad adds with a sly smile on his face.

Mom shakes her head, ignoring him, her focus on me. “We have something for you.”

“Cal!”

We all turn our heads and watch as a group of girls approaches my brother. They’re all cute and staring at him like he’s a celebrity. The grin on Callahan’s face tells me he’s eating this shit up.

I don’t blame him.

“Go on,” Dad tells him. “Talk to your fans.”

Mom laughs. Cal’s cheeks turn red, but he does as Dad says. This kid is going to turn into a total player.

“What do you want to give me?” I’m clueless over what this is about. They’re acting mysterious. Wanting to give me something out on the football field after a game? It seems kind of odd.

Dad approaches, reaching into his front pocket and pulling out a tiny velvet gift bag. “This is for you.”

He hands the black bag to me and I take it, staring at it for a moment. “What is it?”

“Open it and find out,” Mom encourages.

I undo the drawstring and reach inside, feeling a chain. Grabbing hold of it, I pull it out to find a gold necklace with a pendant hanging from it.

#1.

“My father gave me that and I eventually gave it to your mom,” Dad explains. “Over the summer, your mom found it in her jewelry box and said she wanted to give it to you since you’re number one now.”

I stare at the pendant lying in my hand. The gold shines brightly against my palm, like it was just polished, and I curl my fingers around it, clutching it tightly. “I love it. Thank you.”

“Maybe if you ever meet a girl who steals your heart, you can give it to her like your dad gave it to me,” Mom says, her voice soft. She’s always been a total romantic. “I wore that necklace proudly for years. Throughout your dad’s football career.”

I remember her wearing it. I’ve seen photos. At one point, I even wanted it, but eventually I forgot about it.

“This means a lot.” I clear my throat, suddenly feeling a little choked up. “I wanna wear it now.”

“I’ll help you,” Dad says because he’s tall enough to do the clasp, and for Mom, I’d have to be on my knees for her to put it on me.

Within seconds the chain is secured around my neck, the pendant outside of my jersey for everyone to see. I reach for it, skimming my fingers over the number one when I spot her.

Willow. She’s with her parents and Iris, surrounding Rowan while some random person takes their photos. As if she can feel me watching her, she turns her head to the right, our gazes locking, and she smiles at me.

I smile right back, my heart threatening to gallop straight out of my chest. This fucking girl.

“Who’s that?” Mom asks, her voice low.

Guess she caught me staring.

Turning to face her, I admit, “The girl I want to see wearing this someday.”

I tap the pendant and Mom smiles, her gaze filled with emotion. “She’s pretty.”

“She’s a Lancaster.”

Dad chuckles. “Always aiming high, aren’t you, Rhett?”

“I want to meet her,” Mom says.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?” Mom appears vaguely offended.

“I don’t want her freaking out,” I admit. “She’s kind of jumpy.”

“Oh, don’t be silly. She’d probably love to meet us.”

“Ava. Baby.” The warning tone in Dad’s voice is kind of funny. “Don’t be too pushy.”

“Am I ever pushy?” she asks, sounding put out.

“Yes,” we both answer simultaneously.

“You’re both ridiculous.” Mom rolls her eyes. “Let’s go meet her.”

She’s about to walk over to Willow and her family, but I grab hold of Mom’s arm, stopping her. “It’s still too new between us. Like, we’re not even … anything yet.”

Mom considers me, her lips pursed. She looks young tonight, wearing the Lancaster Prep football gear and her bright blonde hair in a ponytail. I can see why my dad fell head over heels for her. Why he’s still so gone over her. It’s not just because of her looks either. She has a big heart and she loves hard. Puts her family above all else and does her best to make us all happy.

“You’ll be something,” Mom finally says. “You have that same determined look on your face that your dad always wore when he was in hot pursuit of me.”

“I was in hot pursuit?” Dad asks.

“Don’t play it cool, Eli. You know you were completely obsessed with me,” Mom tosses at him.

“Fair.” Dad wraps Mom up in his arms, squeezing her close. “Your mom is right. I was obsessed. Still am.”

“Please don’t start making out here.” I groan, wishing Cal was with me so our protests would shut them down quicker.

But they just laugh at me and Dad kisses Mom in front of God and everybody.

“Hey, Rhett.”

I turn to find Rowan approaching us, his parents trailing behind him, along with Willow.

Oh shit. They came over here. That wasn’t expected.

“Hey, Row. Good game today,” I tell him, even though I already complimented him on his game play earlier.

“Same to you. You were awesome.” Row smiles and I swear it’s faintly devious. “Wanted to introduce you to my parents. My father was impressed.”

From the smirk on Row’s face, I get the feeling he did this knowing full well I’m into his sister. Meaning, I owe him one.

“I’ve been impressed. You’ve turned this program around, Rhett.” Row and Willow’s dad steps forward, thrusting his hand toward me. “Crew Lancaster.”

“Nice to meet you, sir.” I shake his hand and also his wife’s when he introduces her to me.

“You look just like Will,” I tell Wren Lancaster as I shake her hand, sounding like an idiot.

“Most people say she looks like me,” she says, laughing. “You know Willow?”

“I do.” My gaze shifts to Will, who’s eating me up with her eyes. Making me stand a little taller. “We’re—friends.”

“I’m Rhett’s mother. Ava,” Mom says, stepping toward Willow. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Introductions are made all around, the parents chatting like they’re old friends right out the gate. I stand back, happy to see everyone getting along, noting the way my mom glances over at me every few minutes, her expression pleased.

I think she likes Willow. Thank God.

“The kids are headed to the family estate for the weekend,” Willow’s mom announces, her gaze going to me. “You and your brother should join them. I know Cal was just there. We loved having him.”

“I’m all for it,” I say without hesitation. “You don’t mind having us?”

“The house is huge. We don’t know who’s there half the time, and anyway, it’s not our house.” Willow’s dad chuckles. “It’s my cousin’s. But they invite guests all the time. They don’t mind a few extra showing up.”

“Do we have to run it by the headmaster?” Dad asks.

Oh shit. Westscott has been riding my ass hard all week and I don’t need him messing up my opportunity. He better let us go.

“I’ll talk to Westscott,” Crew Lancaster says. “He’ll okay it.”

He says this with such authority, my entire body relaxes. And when I glance over at Will, she’s already watching me, trying to hide a smile.

Looks like it’s going to be an interesting weekend.