AVERY

A s soon as I walk in the door of the old town hall, I make a beeline for Charlotte and Brynn. One by one, they pull me into a hug, and once again, I’m struck by how open and kind they are.

“We’re so glad you could make it!” Brynn says, giving me one last squeeze before releasing me.

“So far, we’ve avoided a near disaster with a DJ no-show, thanks to Samantha’s boyfriend, James, getting us the hookup, a couple furiously making out in the corner that bordered on X-rated, and an attempted punch spiking. ”

I tip my head back and laugh. “Oh, to be in high school again.”

“Right?” Charlotte hip checks me. “I say, let ’em have a little fun.”

Brynn arches a brow at her, then turns to me and asks, “So, do you want to guard the punch?”

“There’s already?” Charlotte starts, then abruptly stops when her gaze settles on a table in the back of the hall. “Oh, right. ”

Frowning, I follow her gaze and freeze at the sight of Damon, standing beneath the shadows in the corner, seemingly oblivious to my presence.

Spinning around, I give him my back while my heart bangs inside my chest. “Do you really think I should go over there already? I mean, I just got here.” Although they told me he’d be here, I’m suddenly wondering how smart it is to corner him.

A smile spreads Charlotte’s lips as she says, “Of course. It’s perfect.”

“Right, yes, perfect,” I reply, barely refraining from wringing my hands in front of my chest, almost certain Damon is going to lose his shit and cause a scene when he sees me.

But of course, these girls don’t know about our history, and when they find out the truth?that he’s not just a crush but a boy whose heart I once broke?they’ll probably want nothing more to do with me.

Regret washes over me as I shift my weight, wondering if I should stall. “Um, maybe I should wait a few minutes. See if he approaches me.”

“No way. You know how oblivious boys can be,” Brynn says, “Now is the perfect opportunity for the two of you to chat.” She has her arm on my back, guiding me closer.

“He’s here. You’re here. There’s music. Dancing.

Bad punch and cookies. And you’re all dressed up, showing an indecent amount of leg. ”

“Nice dress, by the way.” Charlotte winks, then adds, “What my friend is trying to say is love is in the air. So, let’s go.”

Wasting no more time, Charlotte grabs my arm and drags me toward the refreshment table while I dig in my heels, frantic to stop her. So far, Damon hasn’t noticed me, but it’s only a matter of time until he does, and there’s no stopping what might come out of his mouth.

I plant my feet and Charlotte grunts at the resistance. “Come on,” she says, giving my arm one more tug.

My stomach sinks, the contents churning inside it like a vat of butter at the prospect of what Damon might say when I face him.

Shit. Why did I come? Why not wait until after the championship?

“You look kind of pale.” Brynn frowns, peering up at me. “Are you okay?”

“Clammy, too,” Charlotte pauses to check my forehead with the back of her hand.

I shake my head, choking over the nerves tangling in my chest and rising into the base of my throat. “Um, I am feeling a little woozy. Is there a bathroom here?” I ask, my breathing shallow.

“Of course.” Brynn points. “At the end of the hall, past the coat closet,” she says, returning worried eyes on me. “Do you want one of us to go with you?”

“Oh, no!” I rush to say, risking another glance toward Damon who’s too busy pounding a glass of punch to notice my arrival. “I’ll be fine,” I say with a shaky smile. “It’s just nerves. Just give me a minute to shake it off.”

When the two of you aren’t around and can’t hear what he might say to me.

I flash them an unconvincing smile before I run off, bolting for the hallway and shutting myself inside the tiny bathroom, feeling only a little unhinged.

The heels of my shoes click on the tile floor as I hurry toward the sink.

Gripping the sides of the porcelain, I let the cool, hard surface ground me as I stare up at my reflection.

I never intended to become friendly with his teammates’ girlfriends, but I also never expected them to be so sweet and inviting.

I certainly never expected to form a genuine connection with these girls.

And now, the way I see it, I have two choices.

Go back inside and leave with the excuse that I’m sick, so I can approach him alone and maintain my budding friendship with these ladies for another day.

Or stay, and risk Damon losing his shit and potentially causing a scene when he finds out I’ve weaseled my way into his life.

I chew my lip and debate my options. In the grand scheme of things, I came to AAU with one goal in mind, and it wasn’t to make friends. It was to win Damon back, to earn his trust again, and make him understand why I broke his heart in the first place.

His coach’s words echo through my head. Sometimes life gives you a second chance. You just have to be brave enough to take it.

But the truth is, not all second chances are handed to you—sometimes, you have to fight for them, carve them out of the wreckage you created, and prove you’re worthy of the forgiveness you were never promised.

So, that’s exactly what I’ll do.