Page 218 of The Surprise Play

“Nickname,” I clarify, standing up to smooth down my skirt and extend my hand. “I’m Elizabeth Satchwell.”

No one shakes my hand, but Blake slaps me a little skin, giving me a subtle wink before blinking up at her father. “What, Daddy?”

He growls in his throat, frowning at Wily before throwing that look at me.

“Don’t look at her like that.” Wily’s voice comes out firm and cutting. “Don’t look at her like she’s not welcome. Or that she’s some problem that has to be solved.”

I swallow, grateful for Wily’s fierce protection of me.

“This is so disappointing,” Mrs. Wilson whispers.

“Mom.” Wily frowns, whipping his head to scowl at her.

“I was talking about your knee. Just this whole situation.” She flicks her hand through the air. “I just really hope you’re telling the truth when you say she hasn’t been distracting you, because you guys lost the final, and now you’re injured. Nothing like this has ever happened to you before, and I can only come back to what your father was saying about focus. We’re talking about your life here, Wily! You’ve worked so hard to throw it all away now.” Her eyes glass over.

“I’m not throwing anything away,” Wily croaks, and I can’t stand this.

All I can hope is that they’re just clueless and not intentionally trying to make him feel bad.

“Mr. and Mrs. Wilson.” I grab their attention, swallowing when their laser glares land on me. “I know how important football is to your family. I know Wily’s your superstar.” I glance at him and smile before turning back to face the firing squad. “But I also know that he’s worth more than the game. His life isn’t over. He’s smart and creative and has the most amazing people skills. He’s going to do wonderful things, and if that’s football, then awesome. I will be right there beside him, cheering himon. But if this doesn’t work out the way you all planned, then I’m not worried about his future.” I look at him, hoping he doesn’t mind me saying this. “Whatever happens, he’s going to find something else that will inspire him, and he’s going to be really good at it.”

He’s staring up at me like he can’t believe what I just said.

But it’s true.

Smiling at him, I throw in a little wink before turning back to his parents and ignoring the itch across my stomach.

Keep going. Wily’s worth itching for.

“This injury won’t stop him, I know that. But I hope it’s also making you all realize that football isn’t the only option. This is an opportunity to see what else might be out there. What other future plans he could make.”

“He will be playing football,” his dad argues. “I’m already working to secure him a spot at a private training camp. You need to stay out of this, young lady.”

“If Wily wants to drop out of college and go to the training camp, then of course I will support that.” My chest spasms at the idea of him leaving so soon, but I keep going, my voice only shaking a little. “I know how much he wants to play for the NFL. I’m not standing in the way of that, but I’m also aware that he’s more than capable of graduating. There’s nothing wrong with giving himself a chance to think about what he might want to doafterfootball. This is a window of opportunity, and you need to stop treating it like a fatal disaster. Wily’s not dying. He’s not locked in. He’s not running out of time. He has his whole life ahead of him, and it’s going to be anamazingone.”

They both gape at me, like how dare I be so bold, but then I notice Blake fighting a grin, and Wily’s fingers brush over mine before wrapping around them.

I turn to check that he’s okay with what I said and am rewarded with a silent “I love you.”

Reading his lips, I mouth back, “You’re fucking amazing.” And then I say aloud, “I love you too.”

His mother gasps, touching her chest, and I glance over to catch his father’s intense stare.

He’s not smiling, but he’s not glaring at me either.

Blake runs her hand down her mother’s arm and gives her wrist a little squeeze. “It’s gonna be okay, Mom. I like this one.”

She winks at me, her smile playful and encouraging.

Oh, thank God.

It’s not the immediately warm reception my parents gave Wily, but with Blake’s help, I might just have a chance at finding a place in this family. Especially if I can make them understand that Wily’s life is not a one-way street but a multilayered pathway.

And we’re going to walk those roads together.

CHAPTER 67

WILY