The Game Plan

15

The next morning, I sat up and stretched. To say I was still giddy from the night before was an understatement.

But I still needed answers about all of this.

I looked over to see Brady sitting nicely on my bed.

If dogs could talk he would be telling me that I should continue this good mood by taking him on a walk. Coach had cancelled practice - two weeks before the big game - because he thought we deserved the break with all that was going around.

I sat up and smiled at my big golden retriever, who was now laying his head on his two front paws. Brady wasn't the most descrete begger.

"Okay, okay. Let me change." I said, hopping out of bed and pulling on sweatpants and a t-shirt.

Brady jumped up and followed me out of my room, eager to get his leash.

"Cole, I'm walking Brady. Wanna come?" I asked, sticking my head in his room.

He hopped up and pulled on sneakers before following us.

We stepped out into the bright morning sunshine and began our usual route around the neighborhood. It was the perfect fall day, and Brady seemed pretty pleased with himself for getting us out of the house.

"So last night was pretty cool." Cole said, smiling at me. I was really happy that he was able to sneak home when I really needed him - even if I didn't realize I needed him.

"Yeah, I had no idea I had that much support. No one gives me a hard time, but I never expected that much love." I chuckled.

"Speaking of love... Who's your new friend?" He asked. I should have known he would bring Nick up.

I couldn't stop the stupid smile that spread across my face when Nick came to mind.

"Nick is actually the captain of Fort Worth." I said, even I had to laugh at the irony. This whole thing was completely out of control at this point. It was easy to forget we would be on opposing sides of the championship game in two weeks.

"Wow. How did you two meet?" He asked.

I told him about the party the night he was home, the LSU game, and most of everything else he had missed. I may have intentionally left out last night's activities.

"What a small world." He said, shaking his head.

"Not when you crash a Fort Worth football party." I said.

"You're such a rebel. Crashing a party." He said, nudging me.

"Yes, because I really led that brigade." I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice.

"Is it weird, with him being behind the investigation?" He asked. In all reality, I should have known this was coming. It is a huge part of my life and Nick is a member of the school that is behind it.

"You know, it was. But now not so much. He feels awful. And I don't think he was ever a driving force." I defended. It took me some time to come to terms with this, but I was comfortable in my decision.

"I believe it. It's the older ones who are stuck in their ways." He said.

"So when do I get to meet him?" He asked.

"Well you go back to school later, so probably not for a few weeks. I am not letting you two near each other at the championship game." I said, laughing and shaking my head.

When we got back to my house, I had a missed call from Nick.

"Morning handsome." I teased when he answered.