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I disappear into my bedroom, letting the door click softly shut behind me.

I lean against the frame and take a moment to breathe while my heart beats like a stampede of buffalo?not because of the upcoming game or the threat of inclement weather, but because Avery Astor just stood in my living room while I was half-naked, wearing that nervous, hopeful smile, like she wanted something more than to just wish me luck.

And damn if I don’t want to give her that chance, even if it fucking terrifies me.

My thoughts flicker to the text she got from Travis yesterday outside the coffee shop, and I remind myself she might have come here for me, but it doesn’t mean things will change. Especially with her parents still interfering in her life.

Which means I need to keep a cool head, stay cautious. Defense is the best course of action when you don’t know where the other team’s head is at.

Pushing off the door, I change quickly into the AAU joggers and hoodie I had laid out, my towel forgotten on the floor as I rake my fingers through my damp hair, then step back into the living room.

When I find her by the window staring out into the street below, the urge to walk up behind her and pull her into my arms wraps me like a vise grip.

But that’s what the old Damon would do. This, whatever this is between us, is new. It’s uncharted waters, and I need to wade carefully.

Tucking my hands into my pockets, I clear my throat, smiling when she turns to face me. “Thanks for coming to the game. I know it’s a big ask,” I say, my voice low. “But having you there, even after all this time, means a lot.”

Her amber eyes soften as she closes the gap between us, until the scent of sugared almonds surrounds me, and she’s close enough to pull into my arms.

“Having you ask,” she says, “after everything I put you through, means a lot.”

“You had your reasons,” I say, searching her eyes for confirmation.

“Still, we both know I could’ve chosen differently.”

We stay like that for a moment. Still as statues, lost in each other’s eyes with nothing but the sound of our breath in the space between us.

Hope unfurls in my stomach like the fronds of a fern. I want to believe this is real, that we have another chance at something, but I’ve been burned by her before, and I have the scars to prove it. The text from Travis, standing me up?they’re both signs I need to be careful.

My phone buzzes from its spot on the couch, breaking whatever spell has settled between us. It’s a reminder I need to get moving or risk being late for the biggest game of my life. One she’ll be there to see.

“Well, I should go,” she says, hugging her arms across her chest. “You’ve got to get ready.”

“Yeah,” I nod, stepping closer, until I’m towering over her, soaking in the smattering of freckles across her nose and the golden flecks in her eyes. “But I’m glad you came.”

She smiles before rising onto her toes and pressing a kiss to my cheek. It’s soft and warm, just enough to turn my stomach inside out and leave me frozen in place.

“Good luck, Damon.” Her breath whispers over my cheek, and it takes every ounce of restraint I have not to lean into her, to claim her mouth with mine. “Look for me in the stands,” she says, taking a step back. “I’ll be cheering for you.”

Then she turns, heading for the door when I call out, “Hey, Avery?”

She pauses, looking over her shoulder, hypnotizing me with her gaze. Something familiar floats through her expression as she waits, her hair falling around her face like a curtain.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” I say, swallowing over the lump in my throat. “With the game, with us. But regardless, I’m glad you came back.”

Her breath catches, and for a second, she just stares, eyes shining with emotion as she says, “Me too.” And then she’s gone, while I stand in my living room, staring at the closed door, with the scent of her lingering in the air like a ghost.

My phone buzzes again, pulling me back to reality.

With a sigh, I turn and snatch it off the couch at the same time West appears with his duffle bag slung over his shoulder. “Was that Avery?” he asks, tipping his chin toward the door.

“Yeah,” I say with a sigh.

“You good?”

I stare at him a moment, reading the doubt in his eyes.

West has always been good at hiding his thoughts, but it doesn’t take a genius to know what he’s thinking.

Thanks to Chris’s big mouth, all the guys know about the double date and the kiss.

And based on the way he’s looking at me, I have no doubt he’s worried about her fucking with my head.

“Yeah, it’s all good, man,” I say, without meeting his eyes.

Mentally shifting gears, I head for my room where I grab my bag.

I can’t think about Avery right now. Not the confessions about her father and her reasons for leaving, her traveling to my game, or where this is headed.

Right now, all my focus needs to be on the days ahead of me. On this game and winning.

When I return to the living room a few minutes later, bag in hand, West is still eyeballing me like I’m a ticking time bomb ready to explode. “What?”

“Nothing.” He shakes his head, but it’s not nothing.

“She just wanted to wish me luck.”

“ Riiiiight ,” West drawls, sounding unconvinced. “Let’s just hope she’s not the only good luck charm you’ve got this weekend.”

I huff out a laugh, snagging my keys off the hook by the door. “I don’t believe in luck.”

“Could’ve fooled me with how hard you were staring at that door after she left,” he mutters, with a shake of the head.

I flip him the bird and he laughs but I say nothing as we head out the door.

Because deep down, no matter how much I want to pretend otherwise, Avery showing up this morning did something to me.

It settled something inside of me. Reminded me of who I am, and what I’ve been fighting for these last two and a half years.

And maybe, just maybe, what I’m fighting for after the final whistle blows.