Practice had been strained, but I wouldn’t allow my uncertain future to affect the team. If nothing else, the disaster with Nadia had sharpened my focus. I’d channeled all my hurt and anger onto the field, and I hadn’t fucked up since. Too bad I wouldn’t be playing today.

I fully expected Parker to start, and I hoped Eva had done her job convincing Nadia to come. If not, I’d keep trying until I reached her.

The dull roar of voices rose to a crescendo nearly drowning out our entrance music as we emerged from the tunnel. A sea of red flooded the stands, too many people for me to possibly find Nadia, but that didn’t stop me from searching. I ran along the path created by the cheerleaders, and when I came even with Eva, she nodded toward the seats behind her, right at the fifty-yard line.

Bless that woman and her evil magic. A familiar dark head sat in the second row, silver stars glittering in her ears. My eyes met Nadia’s, and that jolt of connection moved up my spine.

She made no outward sign, but I slowed. If Soren hadn’t bumped my shoulder, I might have broken formation and run to her instead of to the middle of the field. With the team following behind me, I circled the school logo painted onto the grass, then jogged to the sideline.

The official game didn’t start for a couple of minutes, and Parker had offered to take my spot for the coin toss. I glanced at Coach, but he was deep in discussion with Soren. The stadium swelled with sound as all the fans cheered the pre-game rituals, and I knew I wouldn’t get a better chance.

Cameras swung toward me as I stepped away from my teammates. I knew my life wasn’t entirely my own, that the sports talking heads would be all over this moment, and I didn’t care. Professional football players weren’t gods—we had lives and families just like everyone else. Coach may not be able to see that, but others would.

Nadia had spent her life feeling unloved and unwanted—I aimed to prove her wrong. With me, she’d never feel that way again.

With my eyes on her, I pulled the helmet from my head and set it on the bench next to me. Nadia sat adjacent to a set of stairs connecting the field to the stands. The gate was closed and locked at the bottom, but the security guard would let me through.

I took two steps toward her, and Coach called my name.

“D,” he repeated as he followed my gaze. “I have something to say.”

I crossed my arms and waited.