I roll my eyes at him. I can’t help it. “You do not want to play baseball with Cameron Mitchell at Clifford County Community College.” Jake has good grades, decent scores, and endless talent. He works hard, and he deserves so much more. “Are you … Are you scared?”

“No.” Yet the doubt creasing his forehead says otherwise. “But Beckett, I’m not Penn. I don’t need to conquer the world, and I don’t have anything to prove. And I’m not sure I want to be out there all alone.”

“Okay, then.” I squeeze his hand again. “Be honest, at least with yourself. If you don’t want to go, that’s fine. But don’t use me as an excuse for giving up this chance. That’s not fair to either of us.”

“You’re not an excuse. You’re a reason.” He pulls me close, trying to distract me with a kiss. “I’d miss the hell out of you.”

“I’ll miss you too. But what do you have to lose from trying it?” I shrug. “If you don’t like it, you can always come back. Or transfer. To Knoxville, not to CCCC.”

Jake blinks at me, staring straight into my eyes. “You really think I’m cut out for this?”

“I do. And so does the Texas Tech coach, obviously. And that’s exactly what I would have told you three weeks ago, if you hadn’t started hiding texts from me.” I punch him in the shoulder. “I can’t believe you did that! And you let your parents blame me for this!” I frown up at him. “You have to tell them I talked you into reconsidering the scholarship.”

“I’m not sure I’m reconsidering. Yet. But they did invite me for a campus visit next month. Come with me?”

“To Lubbock? My mom will never—”

“Use one of your college days. We can take a road trip.” He shrugs. “Who knows. Maybe you’ll like Texas Tech.”

“I’ll ask my mom.” I still don’t think she’ll say yes, but crazier things have happened. “Next week. When things have died down a bit around here. Speaking of which.”

“I know. My mom’s going to kill me as it is.” He stands and tugs me up. “We’re supposed to be opening one present each tonight while we watch Christmas movies.”

“Sounds like fun. I’ll walk you out.”

To my surprise, the living room is empty, and when I walk Jake to his Camry, I see that the Andersons’ car is gone. As is Penn’s truck. He must have gone for dinner.

“Talk tomorrow?” Jake says as he unlocks his door.

“Maybe even later tonight.” I go up on my toes to kiss him. “But only if you redeem me in your parents’ eyes.”

“I will do my best,” he promises. “Merry Christmas.”