I grin. “First, I love you. And second, you’re right. Don’t want to overdo it. It’s just a game. Jeans and shirt for the win.”

Later, I feel the buzz of excitement in the air as we walk toward the stadium. I notice a familiar tall man at the bottom of the bleachers, watching the crowd. We’re several feet apart when our eyes connect. Wearing slacks and a button-down shirt, he looks as if he just came from work. A red Camden hat is on his head, the mahogany hair longer than standard for a businessman, the curls silky and dark brown. His expression seems anxious as he stares at me.

I elbow Piper. “Hey, isn’t that Knox and Dane’s dad?” I’ve seen pictures of him before in our school directory because he’s a board member.

She follows the direction of my nod. “Oh, yeah, that’s him. Good-looking for an old dude, right?”

“Mmmm.”

“Heads-up—Queen Bee and bitches arriving in three…two…one,” Wyatt mutters, and I look up to see a group of cheerleaders headed our way wearing cheer outfits, matching makeup, ponytails, and hair bows.

“Library is the other way, charity case,” Jolena snips out when she sees me. “No one wants you here.”

Great. Here we go.

I stop in front of her and hold my hand above her head. “I thought you had to be at least this tall to ride one of these football players, Jolena. But don’t worry, I won’t snitch on you.”

She startles and smacks my hand away then stalks off.

Wyatt laughs. “I bet Queen Bee will use that line on some other girl next week.”

“Nah, she’s too short,” I say. Then, “Dang, I can’t believe I wanted to be one of them.”

Piper pats my back. “Stick with us, girl.”

We reach Knox’s dad, and there’s no mistaking the resemblance up close. Same chiseled jawline, same patrician nose, those broad shoulders.

I don’t think he recognizes me, but then he steps in front of me, smiles faintly, and sticks out his hand. “Ava Harris, right? I’m Dane and Knox’s dad.”

I nod and clasp it in mine, swallowing down nervousness. “Mr. Grayson. Nice to meet you. These are my friends, Piper and Wyatt.”

He shakes their hands as well. “Call me Vance, please.” He looks at me. “It must be hard for you to come to a game. I’m glad you did. Would you like to sit with me?”

My eyes flare and I glance at Piper and Wyatt, but both of them have moved away, chatting with some other students. I see Jagger and Camilla in their midst. Yikes, I’m alone with a parental.

“I thought I’d sit with my friends,” I say rather lamely.

“I’d like to get to know you a bit, if you don’t mind.” He shifts his feet, fidgeting, and he’s so obviously uncomfortable…

I sigh. “Sure. Just let me tell my friends.” I dash over to Piper and tell her I’ll find them later then head back to Mr. Grayson.

He nods. “Let’s find some seats then—the stadium is filling up fast. Morganville brings a big crowd as well.”

We make our way to the top and talk about mundane things as the players come out on the field: the weather—it’s hot—and the expectations of the team this year—high. He points out a man wearing an Auburn hat a few rows over and tells me he’s a scout here to watch.

“This is Knox’s year for a championship,” he says with a proud smile.

I take it all in, nodding and smiling in the right places. He sits very still and rather tense, just like Knox, and good grief, why does he want to talk to me?

The first quarter starts and moves slowly, neither side scoring. I’m glad to see Dane playing, but it’s Knox who keeps my attention, the confident way he walks on the field, the way he handles the ball—until he throws an interception, a pass that Chance misses.

His dad groans as Morganville runs the ball back for a touchdown.

A timeout is called by the Dragons.

He watches them jog off to talk to their coach in the huddle. “Knox thinks highly of you,” he murmurs.

Okaaaay. Let’s do this.

There’s a long pause as the band plays a song just a few sections away.

“And I want you to know I’m sorry for what happened to you. Knox mentioned he told you about my wife.”

Oh.

He pauses as if I might say something, but I don’t.

A long exhalation comes from him. “Dane is dealing with some mental things right now, and I’m sure you already know he’s been using drugs.”

“Yes.”

He shoots me a wry smile. “When he was a baby, you should have seen the way he emulated Knox, trying to keep up with him, to swing as high, to climb the tree. And when he fell, Knox was the one who picked him up. My boys are like night and day.” His gaze lingers on Dane. “I haven’t been the best dad, especially lately, and it’s taken a pile of shit to get me back on track, but I want to do right by them. I want them to have everything.” He sighs. “That’s what a good parent does, right?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

He gives me a glance.

“Don’t feel sorry for me,” I say quietly. “I’m going to be awesome someday.”

Something dawns on his face. “Ah, so that’s it.” He lets out small laugh, but it doesn’t sound cheerful. “You have fire in you, Ava. He’s told me about how you grew up, your mom, your brother.” His gray eyes, so much like Knox’s, trace over my face. “It takes a phoenix to rise from the ashes. I guess he thinks you are one.” He doesn’t necessarily sound displeased about it, yet his voice is resigned.

“I see. Is there a reason you wanted to talk to me?” Let’s cut to the chase, buddy.

He grimaces. “Don’t be wary of me, please.”

“Mmmm.” I see why Knox loves to use noncommittal responses.

“Let me ask you something. Do you ever wonder what it would be like to just start over, without all the events of last year hanging over you, to meet new people, to move on?”

I stare at him, meeting his gaze directly.

“I did start over. I came back. Full circle.”

He nods. “I heard what that cheerleader said to you. Does that happen a lot?”

My lips tighten as my gaze lands on Jolena on the field. “Yes.”

He nods as if expecting the answer. “I mean this with all due respect, but Knox isn’t ready for you. He’s still got a whole football season to get through, plus Dane.”

Well. There it is.

I scowl at him, a retort on my lips—

“Just let me finish, please,” he continues, a pained but determined look on his face. “You’re young. He’s young. You have your whole lives ahead of you. College, careers. I didn’t meet my wife Vivie until I was twenty-three, and I knew right away she was everything. Have you ever considered how good it might be if you met Knox on a level playing field, when he isn’t swamped and you have a firm grasp on what you want to do with your life?”

“You misunderstand, Mr. Grayson. I do know what I want,” I reply. “I’m going to med school. I’m going to take care of my brother.”

“I’ve heard.” He sighs, hesitating before he speaks again. “Unfortunately, Dane doesn’t need to be around you right now—which is not your fault. It’s his.” He takes his hat off and rakes a hand through his hair. “And you’ll…you’ll see that later.”