“That’s exactly what she likes about me.” He winked and adjusted his cup. I wanted to puke at his disrespect toward somebody I loved with every part of my heart.

One of his players pushed him along. “Forget about her. This is her moment. The only one she’ll have.” He turned to look at me. “We’ll laugh about how one time a girl thought she could play football while we’re living the life playing in the pros.” He slapped Grayson on the back and they laughed and moved on.

“A girl who beat the both of you,” Max yelled.

They launched themselves at Max. It took three coaches and four players to pull them apart.

“Max, don’t. It’s not worth it.” I loved that he was my biggest supporter, but I didn’t want him to jeopardize his scholarship. He was the only one, besides me, who got a full ride anywhere. My scholarship was for Texas A&M’s track and field team. I wasn’t excited about moving to Texas, but it was a good school for sports medicine and that’s what I was going to study. “Let’s go celebrate.”

Max jogged with me to the stands where our parents and fans waited to celebrate with us. My dad hugged me. “That was brilliant, but also stupid. Don’t get hurt over a game. You have your whole life ahead of you.”

I accepted hugs from parents I knew and some I didn’t. So many people of Oak Grove were in the stands supporting us. I recognized people from the bank, the diner, and even the doctor’s office. It was weird to see them in head-to-toe Oak Grove Pumas attire.

“Let’s get cleaned up and celebrate.” Coach motioned for us to head to the locker room. He pointed to the parents. “Back to the school and then to Tom’s Pizza.”

I jogged with the team to the locker rooms but not before looking at the sidelines until I found Parker. She was staring at me and gave me a small, sad smile. I looked away. I hated that this glorious moment would forever be marred by Grayson saying he won the girl.

I never knew what she saw in him. I pretended it didn’t matter that she crushed my heart at the beginning of my senior year and my anger didn’t fuel my need to beat him at his best game, but it was all true. As I jogged into the tunnel to the women’s locker room, I made a pact to myself that Parker O’Neal was no longer going to occupy my mind or my heart. I was better than heartbreak and I had an amazing life ahead of me.

Chapter Two—Rivals

Present

“At least you get a nice view.”