Chapter 148 CHAPTER 149

Chapter 148 CHAPTER 149
CHAPTER 149
KNOX
I stepped onto the practice field with my helmet under my arm, the sun beating down on the turf. It had been a long week, but today felt different. Aaron was already there, running drills with a few of the guys. He glanced up when he saw me, gave a small nod, and went back to what he was doing. It wasn’t much, but it was something. We had come a long way from wanting to kill each other.

I jogged over and fell into the same drill line. We were working on passing routes and timing. The coach blew his whistle and we started running the plays. Aaron was on the opposite side, catching and throwing with perfect form.

After a few reps, I ended up next to him while we waited for the next set.

“Good throw on that last one,” I said, keeping my voice casual.

Aaron wiped sweat from his forehead. “Thanks. Your route was clean too. You’ve been sharpening up.”

I nodded. “Trying to. Coach wants us to tighten the timing on the deep outs. You think we should adjust the release point a little earlier?”

Aaron thought about it for a second. “Yeah. If you release half a second sooner, I can hit you in stride instead of forcing you to slow down. Let’s try it on the next rep.”

We ran the play again. This time the timing felt smoother. Aaron threw a perfect ball and I caught it in full stride.

“Better,” Aaron said as we jogged back. “Much better.”

One of our teammates, Marcus, walked past us and did a double take. “Wait… are you two actually talking football like normal people? No death glares? No tension? What the hell happened?”

Another guy, Tyler, laughed. “I thought I was seeing things. You two have been enemies since sophomore year. Now you’re working together like it’s nothing?”

Aaron shrugged, but I could see the small smile he tried to hide. “We’re focusing on winning games. That’s all that matters right now.”

I nodded. “Exactly. The team comes first.”

Marcus shook his head, still grinning. “Whatever you say. Just don’t start hugging on the field. I don’t think my heart can handle it.”

The whole line laughed. Even Aaron cracked a real smile this time.

We kept running drills for the next hour. Aaron and I talked strategy the whole time — how to read the defense better, when to audible, which routes worked best against certain coverages. It was the most we had spoken in years without it turning into an argument.

Aaron was quiet for a second. “She’s good for you. I can see that now.”

I looked at him, surprised by the admission. “She is. She makes me want to be better. At everything.”

He nodded slowly. “I still don’t love it, but I’m not fighting it anymore. Just… don’t hurt her. That’s all I ask.”

“I won’t,” I said seriously. “I care about her too much. I’m not going anywhere.”

Aaron looked like he wanted to say more, but he just clapped me on the shoulder. “Good. Now let’s run that slant route again. I think we can make it even sharper.”

We went back to work. The teammates kept glancing at us, whispering to each other. I heard one of them say, “I never thought I’d see the day those two worked together without throwing punches.”

Another replied, “It’s weird, but kind of nice. Maybe we’ll actually win some games now.”

I smiled to myself. It was strange, but it felt right. We were not best friends yet, but we were no longer enemies. That was progress.

After practice, as we were walking off the field, I saw Yael sitting on the bleachers watching us. She had a soft smile on her face. When our eyes met, she waved.

Aaron noticed her too. “She looks happy.”

“She is,” I said. “And she’s happy we’re trying. That means a lot to her.”

Aaron nodded. “I know. I’m trying too. It’s not easy, but I’m trying.”

We reached the bleachers and Yael stood up. She walked straight to me and hugged me, not caring who was watching.

“You two looked good out there,” she said, pulling back to look at both of us. “I’m really happy you’re working together.”

Aaron scratched the back of his neck, looking a little awkward. “We’re getting there. Slowly.”

Knox smiled and kissed the top of Yael’s head. “We are. For you.”

Yael’s smile grew wider. “That means everything to me. Thank you both.”

Aaron looked at her for a moment, then at me. “I’ll see you tomorrow at practice, Hale.”

I nodded. “See you then.”

He walked off toward the locker room. Yael watched him go, then turned back to me.

“You two really are trying,” she said softly. “I can see it.”

I pulled her close again. “We are. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s better. And that
’s because of you.”

She hugged me tighter. “I’m proud of you. Both of you.”