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twenty-six

. . .

Sloane

The Uber drops us off and we make our way down the sidewalk to the restaurant. The patio is open, and the sound of conversation and clinking glasses creates a warm, familiar atmosphere. Asher’s hand brushes mine occasionally as we walk, a simple gesture that does little to settle the unease bubbling in my stomach.

“There he is. That’s Griff,” Asher says, nodding his head.

He’s tall and—honestly huge—and hard to miss. Looks a little like Asher, but maybe taller. When Griffin spots us and grins, I can feel the shift in the air. He walks up with that easy confidence, his presence filling the space. As he sees me, his grin widens.

“There she is, the one who keeps Asher in line,” Griffin says, pulling me into a brief but friendly hug. “I’ve heard a few things about you. But don’t worry. I’ve been told not to ask about your ‘relationship status.’” He makes like he’s zipping up his mouth and locking it.

I laugh, pulling back slightly. “Kind of you,” I tease, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips.

Griffin’s easy charm is undeniable. The way he interacts with me makes it feel like we’ve known each other for years, even though this is only the second time we’ve met.

Just then, a woman pops out.

“I’m Avery,” she says. “Cassie will be out in just a moment. She’s talking to the host about getting us seated on the private patio in the back.”

“Avery! Good to see you,” Asher smiles and gives her a big hug. “This is Sloane. My, ahem, friend.”

“It’s a pleasure, Sloane,” Avery says, wrapping me up in a cutesy hug.

“Avery is Cassie’s best friend from forever,” Asher reminds me.

“Oh, okay. What about the two of you?” I joke, looking between Avery and Griffin. “Are you friends?”

They both laugh, a little awkwardly.

A little too awkwardly, in my humble opinion.

“Nah,” Griffin finally says, clearing his throat. “We don’t really talk.”

Avery rolls her eyes and smiles. “Griffin just got me my job. Since he’s the quarterback for the Texas Outlaws, he put in the good word, and my current gig is in marketing for the nonprofit part of the team.”

“Griffin being nice to you, imagine that!” Cassie calls out as she walks up, overhearing our conversation. Her presence is immediate—loud, confident, and unmistakable. She’s got that energy that makes you know she’s not afraid to take charge of any room.

“These two hate each other,” Cassie jokes, shaking her head. “I regret that I love Cassie so much I love to bring her around like part of the family.”

“Oh. Well…I’m here for it,” I grin.

She looks at me with a sly smile. “Ready for some chaos? Because that’s what I’m bringing tonight.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “I think I can handle it.”

“I’m not so sure,” she says, raising an eyebrow. “You’ll see.”

Just as she finishes her sentence, Avery sidles up to Griffin, behind Cassie, leaning in with that practiced smile that always seems to hide something beneath the surface. She touches his arm lightly, a small gesture that feels charged. For a split second, I see something flicker in Griffin’s eyes—something that makes me pause.

It’s subtle, but the way Avery’s hand lingers on his arm, the way they exchange glances, it’s more than just friendly. It’s flirtation.

I try to push the thought away, but it lingers. The way Avery smiles up at Griffin, the way their proximity feels a little too natural…It’s hard not to notice.

“Table is ready,” the host says, coming out to greet us. “Right this way.”

“Hey, Asher,” I say, my voice low, drawing attention away from Griffin and Avery. I glance up, meeting his gaze. I lean in close, his breath warm against my ear. “Is there something going on between Avery and Griffin?”

He laughs, shaking his head. “Those two? No way. They hate each other. Always have, since high school. Plus, I’m pretty sure Cassie would kill Griffin if that were true. Like he’d be dead.”

I pause, thinking about the way they interacted, but Asher’s casual assurance makes me smile. “Guess I’ve got to take your word for it.”

As we follow the host inside, I can’t shake the feeling that something is off. Maybe it’s the way Griffin and Avery keep sneaking glances at each other when they think no one is looking. Griffin is undeniably charming and handsome.

But would he really get with his sister’s best friend?

I try to shrug it off. Probably nothing. Or maybe it’s everything.

Dinner is winding down, the plates cleared, and the conversation flows more easily now that we’re onto dessert and a few drinks deep. The restaurant’s soft lighting casts a cozy glow over the table, and I’ve been trying to ignore the undercurrent of tension that’s been building between Griffin and Avery all evening.

Griffin, in his usual charming way, takes a bite of his dessert—some rich chocolate cake—and leans back in his chair, looking over at Asher. "Congrats on being the starter this year, man," he says, his voice genuine but laced with that competitive edge I’m starting to recognize. "You’re killing it out there."

Asher shrugs nonchalantly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks. But it’s just another game."

I catch the brief flicker of something in his eyes. He doesn’t seem that invested in the praise—more like it’s just part of the job to him. He’s always been so humble about his career, but I know how much it means to him.

Griffin presses on, clearly enjoying the moment. "Still, man. You’ve worked your ass off to get there. You’re not just some backup anymore." He’s teasing, but there’s a hint of pride behind his words.

Asher rolls his eyes, trying to brush it off. "Yeah, yeah. Still not sure how I ended up here. Maybe I should’ve tried to become a coach instead."

At that, I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. "Coaching?" I ask, my voice light but curious. "You want to go into coaching?"

Asher leans back in his seat, the confident way he holds himself making my heart skip a beat. He’s always been so effortlessly cool, so comfortable in his own skin. And right now, with his hand resting on the edge of the table, the thought of him as a coach hits me in a way I wasn’t expecting.

I picture it—Asher standing in front of a team, calm but firm, giving instructions, knowing exactly what to do and how to get the best out of his players. The thought of him in that role, leading and commanding attention, sends a wave of heat rushing through me. My breath hitches slightly.

"Maybe. I mean, I don’t know. I’m not in any rush to get out of the game yet, but...yeah. Coaching could be a good fit for me eventually. You know, helping guys who actually listen to me."

Cassie’s loud laugh pulls me out of my thoughts, but not before I catch the shift in my body. There's something in his tone, in the way he casually talks about it, that makes me imagine him commanding a room, eyes sharp, focused—so different from the easygoing way he’s sitting now.

"You mean, you’d actually talk to your players?" Cassie teases, her voice ringing in the air.

I glance at Asher, and there’s a glint of mischief in his eyes, but I can’t stop my mind from drifting back to the picture I’ve conjured of him—on the sidelines, leading his team, every word carrying weight. It's incredibly hot. I can practically see it now, hear his voice giving those firm orders.

Without thinking, my hand slides under the table, a sudden, almost unconscious movement. It rests gently on his leg, just above his knee. I feel his muscles tense beneath my touch, the warmth of his skin through the fabric of his jeans.

Asher’s gaze flickers over to me, his eyes darkening slightly, as if he knows exactly what’s happening. He doesn’t say anything at first, but his hand shifts under the table, gently closing over mine. A simple, silent acknowledgment of what’s going on.

"Everything okay, Sloane?" he asks, his voice lower now, the teasing edge replaced with something more serious.

I swallow, fighting to keep my composure. "Yeah," I reply, my voice a little tighter than I intended. "Just...thinking."

He smirks, the corner of his mouth curling up. “Thinking about what?”

I can’t help but smirk back, trying to play it cool even though my pulse is racing. “You as a coach. I think you’d do great at it.”

He leans in slightly, his thumb brushing over my hand in a way that sends a jolt of electricity through me. “Oh yeah? You like that idea?”

I bite my lip, trying to ignore the heat building between us. “Yeah,” I say softly. “I think I do.”

Cassie grins. “I know you guys aren’t like officially a ‘couple’ or whatever, but I think you’re cute together. Jock and the nerd.”

“Whoa, whoa,” Asher grins. “I’m kind of a nerd too.”

“Right. A nerd who is going to coach football,” Avery adds with a teasing edge, making all of us laugh.

I smile, enjoying the playful back-and-forth, but something shifts in my chest. As much as I want to enjoy the moment, the weight of reality starts to press on me.

I can’t help but think that this is where our paths are diverging. Asher is talking about coaching, about finding a way to stay connected to the sport he loves. And me? Well, I’m preparing to dive into a whole new world. A different city, different plans, different future.

We’re standing at a crossroads, both of us with different dreams and goals, and suddenly, the thought of what comes next feels a lot heavier than the light banter we’ve been sharing. I try to push the feeling aside, but it lingers, settling uncomfortably in the pit of my stomach.

I glance at Asher, still smiling, still so easy with me. But even with the playful energy around the table, something in me knows that the future is never as simple as it feels right now.