Page 90 of Hidden Goal

I can’t blame her. After the way my dad lashed out the other night, I wouldn’t be surprised if she considers it a strike and has already written me off. If this were three months ago, I’d hit her with my signature smirk, and she'd bite the corner of her lip, attempting to hide her dimpled smile from me before finally giving in. But I know Savannah. I know her heart. We’re so far past the point of sweet talking and flirty grins. She’s probably constructed a wall a mile high by now, built with the sole intention of keeping me out.

“Fuuuck!”

The wooden railing threatens to snap under my grip, butthe splinters piercing into the palm of my hand aren’t even distracting enough right now.

“Coffee?”

I turn around to find Silas standing in between the doorframe, no judgment—or any emotion at all—just two coffees in hand.

My lips form a tight line as I take the mug he extends to me, and he joins me outside. The steam mixes with the soft morning light as I set my mug on the railing. In a different situation entirely, this moment could be nice. But it’s not, andfuck, I’m crawling out of my skin. I just want to flip shit and yell.

“So, do it.”

My knuckles turn white. I look at Silas. “What?”

“Flip shit and yell. That’s what Mav always does. Seems to work fine for him.”

I grind my molars, squeeze my eyes shut, and drop my head between my shoulders. I hadn’t realized I said that out loud.

Silas takes a sip of his coffee before sitting down, and now I know I’m losing it because I almost stop him from sitting in that chair. Her chair. The chair she was sitting in when I first met her.

“Unfortunately, no matter what I do, I don’t see a solution,” I breathe.

“Are we talking about Sav or why you got kicked out of practice yesterday?”

Just hearing her name is a punch to the gut.

“Savannah.Everythingis about Savannah.”

He doesn’t respond, so I turn around, lean against the railing, and watch him nod his head, taking away any shred of hope I had left. Silas isn’t the loudest guy on the team, or the most emotional. He’s stoic. He’s calm and rational. If anyone were to have an idea on how to fix this, it would be him.

“Want to talk about what happened?”

“I don’t even know where to begin. My dad…well, he did what he always does. I brought Savannah to dinner after the game, he lashed out on her, and when I confronted him about it, he gave me an ultimatum.”

“What kind of ultimatum?”

“It doesn’t matter. In the end, I’m not doing things the way he wants, so he’s cutting me off.” I tried to be understanding, but I won't waver on this, and he isn’t listening to me. I think he believes I’m bluffing and that I’ll fold and come running back to him, but she's the one thing I won’t budge on. Not that I think it matters now. He may have gotten exactly what he wanted anyway, after the way he spoke to her. I should have never brought her.

“He can’t understand that this ismylife. I’ve done everything he’s asked of me over the last twenty-one years, but I won’t give her up. I know he thinks it’s for the best, but I?—”

“Nah, King. I’m gonna stop you right there because I can’t get behind that one. We’ve watched you suffer for years because of him—sometimes quietly, other times… not so quietly. I know both Maverick and I have been vocal about how the shit he puts you through is eventually going to catch up to you.” He casually takes a sip of his coffee. “But you know we’ve been here for you, and we’ll continue to be here for you. Maverick, Gabe, Parker—the whole team. Coach Alvarez, Sage… anyone you want to talk to, I know they would drop everything to listen and help you.”

Listening to Silas list off all the people in my life is both humbling and eye opening. I’ve been surrounded by people my whole life. I don’t think there’s ever been a time where I felt lonely. But this year has tested me in new ways, and it wasn’t until I felt like I was drowning that I realized that although I’m surrounded by the best people, it was always me keeping myself at a distance.

“Speaking of Coach, he wants to see you today.”

“Perfect. He probably wants to strip away my captain's title at this point.” I sigh. “It’s what I deserve, anyway.”

“For what?”

“Don’t act like we didn’t lose that last game because of me. I’m sick of playing like shit and letting everyone down.”

“Chill. That's my friend you’re talking about.”

“Your friend sucks.”

“Right now? Yeah, he ain’t all that. But usually, he’s a leader. He keeps me and the rest of our team in check. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, and he’s the hardest worker I know.” He stands from the chair, stretching his arms over his head, and pats me on the shoulder as he passes by. “Maybe a little too hard.”

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