Page 108 of Rebellious

I blink back at my father. “I’m not fighting it.”

“Aren’t you?”

I shake my head, at a loss.

“You’re scared, I get it,” he says. “But you’re more like your mother and her side of the family—stubborn, fearless, and full of heart. Your mother didn’t question her feelings for me. She merely acted on them with no back-up plan. Don’t let my demons be yours, Bennett. Live your life. Don’t worry what tomorrow holds or if you’ll piss Aspen off. You will because we aren’t perfect, but we are forgiving, and we are relentless. Don’t let fear impede your future, son.”

I work down the knot that’s formed in my throat. “Are you sure it’s okay?”

“What did Theo say?”

I roll my eyes. “That he’ll never be rid of you.”

“Exactly,” my father says with a wide smile. “Stop trying to take care of everyone else. Do whatyouwant.”

I stand. “Thank you, sir.”

“Where are you going?”

“To get what I want.”

My father rolls his eyes and yanks me back down onto the cushion. “What else do you want, Bennett?”

“What?”

He knocks his leg into mine. “What is your plan? If you go to Boston, you’ll have no job, no football career, and an extra year of school that may or may not put you back on the field.”

I feel the muscles in my jaw go tight. “I thought you said to go after what I wanted.”

“I did, but you have to want more than just Aspen.” He cocks his head to the side, studying me. “Do you want to play pro football?”

I don’t hesitate. “More than anything.”

“So why transfer schools when you’re so close to declaring for the draft?”

Suddenly, this father-son heart to heart went down the proverbial toilet. “I can’t have both.”

“Why can’t you?”

He makes it sound so simple, like spending a year without Aspen is no big deal. “What if I get drafted to Texas?”

My dad nods. “Long distance is doable.”

I cut him a look. “Didn’t you just preach that mom packed up her entire life for you?”

“She wasn’t a few months from entering the NFL draft.” He stands, fishing a piece of paper out of his pocket. “Why don’t you talk it over with an agent? See what your options are first. Give yourself some time to think of a solid plan to get your girl back.” He squeezes me on the shoulder. “Rest tonight, and tomorrow get a game plan.”

The next morning, I’m up at four am. I’ve gone for a run, given myself insulin, and forced myself not to text Aspen. All in all, I’ve followed my father’s advice and not gotten on a plane without a job or a plan. Those things are today’s problem. One of which, I plan to solve as soon as this Atlanta sports agent’s office opens.

I’m drumming my fingers on the steering wheel impatiently as I watch the digital numbers change on the dash of my car. “Come on,” I mumble. “Can’t anyone ever be an early riser?” Granted, it’s only 7:30 and Atlanta morning traffic almost makes it impossible to get to work on time, but I’d hoped to get this sorted out sooner rather than later. Like any talented quarterback, I need a play, a Hail Mary, to get my girl back before anyone—especially Liam—comforts her in my absence.

My eyelids droop as I fight off fatigue from sleeping extra shitty without Asp by my side. I knew it would be rough but honestly, with all the alcohol I consumed, I thought passing out would be a given. It wasn’t. I literally laid in bed, my senses reaching out for any kind of memory. Her shampoo on my pillow. Her lotion on the bedside table. I was tortured with memories and cold sheets. So, when it was reasonably morning, I hopped out of bed and set out to remedy this nightmare. Except, now that I’m sitting still and not surrounded by memories of Aspen, exhaustion sets in.

Closing my eyes, I inhale, relaxing the tense muscles in my shoulders. The leather seats aren’t as comfortable as the bed but at least they don’t smell like Aspen.

“What did I tell you, Lexington?”

I groan. Even in a strange parking lot in downtown Atlanta, her voice haunts me.

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