Page 6 of The Game Plan
But while the accomplishments are everything I’ve ever wanted, I can’t help the ache of all that’s changing. The people I’ve spent the last four years with—my friends, my family—are scattering across the country as they continue to chase dreams and start new lives. In a few short weeks, they’ll all be somewhere else.
We all knew it was inevitable, but it doesn’t hurt any less.
Luckily, my sister will still be here…for now. But she has her own life with her boyfriend.
And me? I’ll still be here walking the same hallways, standingon the same sidelines, but instead of wearing shoulder pads and a helmet, I’ll be wearing a headset and carrying a clipboard. The routines we built—Sunday dinners, movie nights, post-game parties—are gone. This chapter is closing, and I was doing fine with it. Or so I thought…
Does graduating turn everyone into a sensitive sap, or have I been spending too much time with my sister?
For the first time in a long time, I don’t know what comes next.
Then I seeher.
And suddenly, everything else fades away.
Gone are my sensitive thoughts of the future. My family’s voices melt into the background until they become white noise as I stare at the girl standing a few yards away. Slow, tentative steps carry her closer to us.
While my gaze is too busy tracking all the changes in her appearance—shorter, darker hair, tired eyes—it’s the gasp behind me that has me taking a closer look. Trailing down her body, my heart stops as I take in the green dress that’s hugging her curves, ones I’ve spent hours memorizing. But the roundness of her belly hits me like a linebacker on my blind side.
She’sfuckingpregnant.
And for the first time all day, the weight of everything crashes over me like a tsunami, and I forget how to breathe.
My eyes flick to my sister, who’s standing next to Crew, looking as shocked as I am. Our silent communication takes over.
Her eyes widen in a what the fuck?
While I quirk an eyebrow, as if asking,Did you know?
She shakes her head, and I exhale a deep breath.
Am I going to be a dad? The possibility is there, depending on how far along she is.
My mind spirals as I do the mental calculations from the last time we hooked up. I can’t fucking remember, but I know itwas sometime this school year. Could the baby be mine? Could Savannah Holycross be pregnant with my fucking kid and not tell me for months?
As I stare at the woman who haunts my dreams, I feel my face fall from surprise to confusion. My eyebrows pinch as we erase the space between us, like magnets to metal.
“Congratulations, Sunshine.” Her words are whispered as bright blue eyes search mine.
Hearing her nickname slip through those gorgeous lips makes my chest ache. She’s the only one who’s ever called me that, and it started after I was a total bastard to her. She sarcastically called me a “ray of sunshine,” andSunshinestuck. Even on my grouchiest days, I was her sunshine. Her light at the end of the darkest days. I shake my head, cutting off thoughts of our past—of what could’ve been.
“Sav…” My voice is a low rumble, coming out harsher than I intended.
Before she can say anything, my mom is stepping closer. “Grant, honey. Who’s your friend?”
I watch as Savannah moves slightly, staring past my shoulder toward my family, who are no doubt as confused as I am. Instinctively, I move to reach for her, wanting to pull her in for a hug. But I stop myself. Is she even mine to hug anymore? Not that she was evermine. Flexing my fingers, I drop my hand back to my side.
Hurt flashes in her eyes, and I instantly regret it. Stepping aside, I introduce her to my family. “This is Savannah.”
“Savannah,” Mom repeats, recognition in her voice. “This isSavannah.”
With a deep sigh, I regret telling my mom about her freshman year. Clearly, she’s never forgotten her name. And why would she? It’s not like I had a slew of girls to bring home or, hell, even talk about. Savannah Holycross was the only girl I’ve ever talkedabout to my parents. And now she’s standing in front of me…pregnant.
Mom moves closer, and I watch her inspect Savannah. “Sweetheart, we were heading to dinner. Please join us.”
I don’t know how long I stand there in silence as conversation starts around me. My mom’s being surprisingly calm, which makes me think she’s internally freaking out. In her mind, her kids are still innocent—we don’t drink, we don’t party, and we definitely don’t have sex. If only she knew. But now she has proof that her kids are old enough to father a child. Or…am I the father?
Fuck!I internally scream. How long has it been since we hooked up? Not that long, right? Thanksgiving, maybe. Could she bethatfar along? How many weeks are in a pregnancy? How many weeks has it been? Jesus. My brain is doing mental calculations and setting up a murder board like I’m on some true crime show.
