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Chapter one

Hudson

“I’ve got a great idea,” I shout, pushing the door open to The Hangout common room in our dorms. All my friends’ eyes snap to me.

“Huds, this is how all your bad decisions start.” Jay shakes his head at me. My best friend might be tired of my shit, but I know he’ll at least hear me out.

“Is it as great as the time you thought you could eat fifty hot wings in one sitting?” Seb asks with a scoff.

“Do I need to get the first aid kit?” Quinn asks, her green eyes wide with worry.

“Let me guess, it’s great for you but terrible for us?” Miles pipes up and, frankly, I’m not impressed with all their lack of enthusiasm and faith in me.

“Guys!” I groan. “Three years of college together and you still can’t get on my level?”

“Should I pretend to be interested?” Indie asks Seb, not quietly.

“Maybe. He’ll only get pissed otherwise,” Seb replies, but still not quiet enough that I can’t hear. I’ll make him pay for that on the field.

“The last time we listened to one of your ideas, Huds, we ended up on a hike that got us lost with no cell service for eight hours,” Jay says with a raised eyebrow.

Oh yeah, well, that did happen. In my defense, I thought it would be fun to hike without maps on our phones, but it turns out you still need a map of some kind, which I didn’t think of. We made it back to our camp eventually, though. “O ye of little faith, I swear this is great. Plus, it doesn’t involve any of you.”

“Okay, then dazzle us with your great idea,” Miles says. I know he’s being sarcastic, but I don’t care because I’m on cloud nine.

“Well, you know how I’m going to see Gracie Abrams tonight, and Jay has had my balls in a vise since June , right? And it’s currently September. ”

Everyone mumbles.

“I think the no sex thing, which, by the way, a whole summer without it is a record for me, has given me superpowers.”

The silence means they’re listening, right?

“Dude—” Miles starts, but Jay cuts him off.

“Let him have this,” Jay says, tapping his shoulder. “I’m enjoying it.”

“Listen,” I barrel on, adjusting the cap on my head. “No sex means no distractions. I’m ahead on my assignments, I’m killing it in class, and the team looks stronger than ever. And tonight, I see Gracie Abrams. My favorite girl on stage. I’m winning at life. I’m going to keep the no-sex thing going because I love this feeling.”

All sets of eyes stare at me. I know they’re probably thinking I’m awesome.

“And I, for one, am super proud of you for being amazing so far this semester,” Quinn begins with a smile, being my hype girl. “I’m jealous of how organized you are. Good job, Huds.”

I beam at her. “I knew you were my favorite.”

“Uh, excuse the fuck out of you, her boyfriend is sitting right here,” Miles guffaws as he promptly throws an arm around Quinn’s shoulders.

“Dude, come on, as if I can drag her away from you. She’s loved you forever.”

It’s the truth, Quinn and Miles have been friends their whole lives, and it was only last year when he realized what was right in front of him. A smoking hot redhead who also happens to be one of the best people I know.

“Whatever it is you’re doing, man, keep it up. I need us to go all the way this season because it’s my last,” Seb says like a true captain.

“Don’t remind me. I can’t think about it without crying.” I wipe my eyes as real tears begin to build. “But we are going all the way. There’s no other option.”

“Damn straight,” Miles says with a sharp nod.

“Dream Team,” I reply, looking over at Jay too. “Fuck, I love you guys. I can’t believe we’ve gotta be here a year longer than you two.” I point to Seb and Miles.

The idea that I’ll be working under a new captain, since Seb will have graduated for my last year with the Wildcats, is scary. Also, losing my favorite assistant physio in Miles too… At least I’ll still have Jay to take awesome pictures of me on the field.

“You could always draft early this year and follow us out?” Seb suggests.

It’s not a bad idea. I’d love to get into a team earlier and start my career in football, but I also know I’ve got a limited amount of years on the field, and I want to have a career post football, which is why I’m studying business and media communications. I see myself retiring and becoming a sportscaster. “I’m good. I want my degree like you. Then next year, I’m all in for the draft.”

“Smart,” Seb agrees, nodding.

“Boring,” Miles teases.

I flip him off, grinning. “I’m being practical.”

Quinn leans into Miles, kissing his cheek. “We’ll all miss you two when you go.”

Jay glances at me with a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Don’t worry, Huds. You’ll survive without them. Barely.”

“Barely,” I echo, laughing. But deep down, I hate change, always have. Ever since my dad up and left us when I was younger, my whole life changed, and I haven’t been a fan since.

This team, this group, these moments, they’re everything to me. I guess now is as good a time as any to roll with the punches, because change is coming, whether I like it or not.