Page 139 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“I’m so close, E.” So close I could almost taste it.

“Although gotta say, I don’t love the idea of you going off to Iowa. It’s a long old drive from Rixon.”

“At least I have a plan.” I arched a brow.

“Actually, me and Ashleigh have news. Well, technically, it’s a secret. So if I tell you, you can’t tell anyone. Not yet.”

“Okay…”

“We’re applying to Temple University.”

“No shit. What happened to UPenn? I thought Ashleigh had her heart set on going there?”

“No way I’ll get into an Ivy League school. But Temple has a good rep and it’s close to home.”

“And football… is Coach going to talk to their recruiters?” It was late in the season, but not unheard of for a player with Ezra’s stats.

“No. I don’t want it. At least not the way you do. If I get there and want to play, I’ll try out as a walk-on.”

“Come on, E, you’re better than that. You’re—”

“I have everything I need and more. I like playing with you and the team, I do. But it isn’t my dream.”

“I’m proud of you,” I said. “And if you want to throw away your shot at going all the way, who am I to stop you.” I kept my voice light, playful, despite the pit in my stomach.

Ezra had it. He had that natural talent that coaches fell over themselves to recruit and he didn’t want it.

It didn’t seem fair somehow. But he had more than earned the right to make his own decisions.

“You’d better come visit plenty, that’s all I’m saying.” He nudged me again. “And one day when you’re a big hotshot player, don’t forget who your real friends are.”

“Brother, E.” I hugged him. “You’re my brother.”

Maybe not by blood, but in all the ways that mattered.

We grabbed our beers and headed back to Cole and McKay.

“Took you long enough,” McKay said. “I hear you’ve got a big game Friday.”

“Could be make or break, yeah.”

“Well, good luck. Me and Pen are going to be there to watch.”

“Thanks, man. Appreciate it.”

“How are things there?”

“Great, we’re… really great. I hear you’re taking Zara Willis to Homecoming. You gotta watch that one. If she’s anything like her older sister, then don’t drop your guard, even for a second.”

“I can handle Zara.”

“So you keep saying.” Cole snorted.

“You know, I always thought you and Poppy would—”

I grumbled under my breath and Cole gave him a hard look, slicing his hand across his throat.

“Sore subject? My bad.” McKay at least had the decency to look apologetic.

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