‘You made it.’ Her eyes skate across my bright orange Riders T-shirt-jersey. ‘And this particular choice from your wardrobe?’

‘OKC colours are mandatory,’ I reply matter-of-factly. The little roll of her eyes that she responds with sends my stomach into hysterical somersaults.

May uncrosses her arms and drapes them over my shoulders, cocking her head. ‘Still wearing my jersey. My number. Am I supposed to read between some dumbass lines?’

Clever. I can’t help the smirk that crosses my face. ‘What, can a guy wearing his girlfriend’s jersey not make it known that he’s hers?’

‘Oh, girlfriend? Mine?’ She widens her eyes, leaning back in faux surprise. ‘Suddenly you’re mine? I should do this “different destinations” bullshit more often.’ She moves her gaze to our feet, sweeping a curl from her face with a sigh.

‘Clearly, it did its thing.’

May scoffs, but she’s smiling now. ‘And so you came all the way here?’

‘Well, don’t give me too much credit. It’s just under a three-hour drive.’

‘Your coach?’

‘We sort of gaslit him into letting us go for the sake of equal and accessible opportunities in lacrosse. JJ’s very into that sort of thing, actually.’

I recall his address fondly. He’s really quite the eloquent speaker. Came prepared with notecards and everything.

‘JJ,’ laughs May. ‘I knew it. Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised y’all are such enormous fans of the Lady Riders, should I?’ She reaches out and pats my cheek gently, her fingers lingering there with her next words. ‘Putting up my poster in your locker is a real creep move, champ.’

‘Wait – how …’ I sputter excuses for words. How on earth would she know what’s in my New Haven locker? That shit is top secret. I swallow so hard I think I might gag on air. ‘It’s not – I’m not—’

‘You’re funny.’ She tilts her head with a smirk. ‘I’m flattered, really.’

The last of the confetti falls around us, and the chaos of the fans disappears, fading into the background, as I drink her in. Every detail I’d memorized so meticulously, right here in front of me.

‘I guess there’s one thing I have to ask you, if you could spare me a minute. Probably busy now that you’re a National Champion, but …’

May beams up at me, her thumb tickling the side of my neck. ‘And what might that be?’

‘I’m done running and hiding.’ I take her face in my hands, lock my eyes with hers, and this time, I refuse to let an ounce of fear control me. ‘I know I fucked up. Irreversibly. This second chance to do things right has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. I’m ready to shoot first and ask questions later, if you are. I’m over the whole right person …’