“You are the most infuriating and conceited person I’ve ever met,” I inform him. “But if you must know, I was telling the truth about never having watched a football game. I knew football is big here, so I read a couple books about it before classes started to see what all the fuss is about.”

“Here?” Jace asks in confusion.

“At Lincoln,” I add quickly.

“So you read about the Kamanski throwing technique, and that’s how you knew what to say to Coach?”

I waver on what should be an easy “yes.” For some reason, I don’t want to lie to him. “No, Jerry Lewis told me about it.”

He scoffs at the truth. “Fine, I’ll drop it.”

He’s giving me another out, but I still don’t take it.

“I’m serious,” I insist. “He mentioned it when I asked him how he thought football has changed since he played. He told me it was less innovative and mentioned the Kamanski technique as an example.”

Jace looks over at me, all traces of annoyance gone. Surprise is written all over his handsome face.

“You’ve met Jerry Lewis?” he asks incredulously.

“Well, over video conference,” I clarify.

“Why?” Jace questions.

“The books I was reading barely made any sense, so a family friend asked him to help explain things.”

“Jerry Lewis personally answered your questions about football because a family friend asked him to?” Jace sounds stunned.

“Yup.”

“Is this family friend a sports agent or something?”

I focus my gaze on the entrance to the wooded trail we’re rapidly approaching. “No, he’s not. He just knows some important people.” Including me.

I feel Jace’s eyes on me, clearly expecting an elaboration on my vague response. He doesn’t press the topic further when I don’t say anything, and the remainder of our run is silent.

The rest of the week passes by quickly. Jace and I run together each morning. I tell myself his persistent presence is annoying, but it’s disappointment and not relief that I feel when he never shows up on Saturday morning.

I run harder and farther than I have in a while in an attempt to erase that realization from my mind.

When I arrive back at my room, I’m surprised to find Katie is already awake. A rare occurrence. She’s dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt with LINCOLN written across the front.

“Do you want to come to the game?” Katie asks as I pull off the light fleece jacket I’m wearing. “I’m going with a few friends.”

“Game?”

“Yeah, the football team has a home game today.”

This is not the first time Katie has invited me to a football game, but it’s the first time I’ve felt any compulsion to go. I tell myself it stems from a desire to experience a normal American college activity and has nothing to do with Jace Dawson.

To Katie’s surprise, I accept her invitation. After I’ve showered and dressed, we head to one of the numerous cafes on campus to grab coffee and breakfast.