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I shrug and give myself a second to think. “I don’t think so. He was his normal drunk, happy self.”

More silence.

“Why?”

“He called Jay last night and seemed off. We were in bed, and Jalen got up and went to the living room to talk.”

“Do you think it was because of me? I know that Byron and I aren’t together anymore, but I still care about him.”

I watch my fingers tap the table, hating the idea that I could have hurt Byron. I honestly assumed he’d be deep in the throws of his own roster by now, I saw him with that blonde just a couple weeks ago.

“You’re fine, Lola; how were you supposed to know that Dalton and Byron have such a long history? Why don’t you call Byron and talk about it? I’m sure your mind is making it worse than it really is.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” I say as I inhale. “I really miss you. I wish you were here. I could really go for a hungover movie day.”

“I’ll be there soon. Jalen has a string of road games around Westvale, and we are going to come to visit.”

“I’m counting down the days.”

When I hang up with Ivy, I shot a text to Byron asking if he wants to come to the barn with me. He always wanted to come last year and we were only able to make it happen a couple of times.

He answers right away, and an hour later, I’m sitting in the boy’s driveway waiting for him.

I’m scrolling through Instagram when there is a tap on my window. It’s Aaron with a gym bag slung over his shoulder.

“Dalton Powell, really, Lola.”

My nose flares and my back straightens. I’m not sure who Aaron thinks he was getting this morning, but it’s not the sweet Lola he was hoping to meet.

“Get over yourself, Aaron. He’s a good guy. Are you that immature that you can’t see past a stupid college rivalry?”

His eyes go tender, like he feels sorry for me. That makes me more upset. I don’t need his pity.

“Lola, I’ve known guys like him my whole life. He puts on this respectful act, but he isn’t a good guy. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I can take care of myself.” I snap.

He holds his hands up like he is surrendering before he walks away.

I watch Aaron pull out of his driveway when my passenger door opens. Byron looks awful, the bags under his eyes age him about ten years. He pulls the hood of his sweatshirt over his head and slumps down next to me.

“Rough night?”

“You could say that,” he grunts.

I take a deep breath and remind myself that this trip to the barn is to get our friendship back on track. Get your sunglasses out because I’m about be a ray of fucking sunshine.

I decide it’s best to stay away from any Dalton-related topics until we are at the barn and his mood has hopefully leveled off a bit.

“Are you excited to start practice tomorrow?”

His dull eyes light up a little, a sign that my happy-go-lucky friend is somewhere inside this broody foreigner.

“Yeah, I can’t believe it’s my senior season. I gave Jalen so much shit last year for mentioning every time he did something for the last time, but I get it now.”

The ride to the barn flew by. The conversation never lulled. How could it when none of us noticed that Aaron got so drunk that he streaked across campus last night. Then I am regretfully informed that I left before I was able to witness Oliver making out with some blonde on the cheerleading squad.

“I love my brother and want him to have the most amazing college experience, but there are some things I don’t need to see, and that is one of them.”

Byron laughs. It’s a beautiful sound. One that seems so much more natural than the grunts he was communicating with last night.

“I almost forgot.” He abruptly starts digging through his backpack, pulling out a plastic bag with chocolate chip cookies in it.

“I was baking these when you texted me. Thought you might want some.”

“You just happened to be making my favorite thing when I texted you?”

He shrugs playfully. “What can I say? God loves some of us more than others.”

I’m stunned silent. You never know what’s going to come out of Byron’s mouth, but it’s always going to be entertaining.

I dig through my purse and try to find the bag of peppermints I always have in there. I hand a few to Byron to unwrap.

“You remember how to do this?”

“Yes, I remember how to feed a horse,” he scoffs like he wasn’t absolutely petrified of Cookie the first time I brought him here.

“Okay, city boy, you give those to Cookie, and I’ll get Charlotte’s horse ready for you to ride.”

Thirty minutes later both horses are tacked up and I guide Byron to the back of the property. I’ve spent countless hours exploring the acres of land that make up Blissful Stables and each time the property grows more beautiful.

The air is cool, and the leaves are starting to change, but the sun is bright overhead. I let my face bask in the sunlight, soaking up the time we have left to ride outside before winter comes and we have to use the arena to ride.

“Can I ask you a question?” I make sure I’m a little in front of Byron on the trail. I’m unsure if I’ll be able to have this conversation if I have to look him in the eye.

“Of course, Pips. You can ask me anything.”

“What happened between you and Dalton?”

The newly discarded leaves crunch blow us. It feels like a lifetime as I wait for his response. I eventually look back to make sure he is still behind me and can see the wheels turning in his head.

He takes his navy baseball cap off and runs his hands through his hair before putting it back on backward. He bites his lip and damn if that’s not the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

“I just want the truth, Byron.”

That was his golden ticket. A pass into the tilt-a-whirl, ready to give me whiplash.

“I’m sure he told you that we played against each other growing up.

He went to a prestigious high school that, like the one percent of the one percent, goes to.

They always belittled us.” The sentences come out choppy.

It’s like he is a computer that is rebooting.

“They hated it when we beat them because how dare they lose to the poor charity case kids from Brooklyn.” He stops and takes a deep breath.

“He’s just an asshole, and I was so confused when he walked in with you because I didn’t even know you knew each other. ”

“Maybe he’s changed? He’s been nothing but a gentleman to me.”

“Guys like him know how to turn on the charm Lola. They are used to getting what they want and will do anything to get it. I still play against Dalton twice a year, and I can tell you he hasn’t changed.”

“Well, I guess that’s for me to find out because I’m seeing him again next weekend.” I say, definitively

Byron mumbles something I can’t hear but I can read his lips. I’ll be here for you when he lets you down.

Funny how he thinks I’ll believe that. I was on my way to loving him when he let me down.