Page 4 of Fighting Fate

Besides, the Chasens and Suttons always meet up at Glasshouse after each game, and my parents usually join Mr. and Mrs. Chasen at a bar afterward. So, the chances of them even noticing I'm not home aren't that high.

Quickly, I type back.

Milli

Count me in!

Payson

Awesome! How about we gather at Brooke's at 8:30 to prep? Get that party ass ready!

Milli

*smh* Sounds good. See you guys then!

A night out with my two best friends is exactly what I need.

And maybe a couple of vodka waters, too.

"So, Milli, how's high school wrapping up for you?" my mom inquires, her attention shifting across the table. My gaze momentarily wanders to the captivating strawberry blonde seated opposite us at the Glasshouse, our post-game retreat. The restaurant is a fancy yet ever-changing scene. It can be a hubbub of college students, a gathering spot for the older crowd, or a celebration point for families like ours.

Milli Sutton, affectionately known in my mind as Mills, Best Friend, Baby Sutton, is nothing short of breathtaking. With her commanding presence, long, elegant legs, blue-green eyes, and hair that perfectly marries shades of red and blonde, she's a vision. I've always had a handle on myself around women, but as she grew up, lost the braces, and her hair became less wavy, her presence is like a drug. Addictive and always craving more.

Though she might not realize it, our relationship, teetering between friendly flirtation and something deeper, has always remained purely platonic.

"It's been awesome," Milli responds with a smile that could light up the room. "Super excited about the summer and starting college."

"That's fantastic! College is such an exhilarating experience," my mom says, her eyes lighting up with the memory. "I still remember moving Miles into his freshman dorm. Right, Sherry? We all squeezed into that old minivan with our boys."

Mrs. Sutton glances at her, nostalgia twinkling in her eyes. She nods and smiles. "Yes, it was one of the proudest moments of my life."

I notice Milli's eye roll and the way she starts tapping on her phone. Not really a surprise. The Suttons have always treated Luke, their eldest, like he's on top of the world. Milli's not one to show it outright, but I see those little signs—the slight curl of her lip, the way her fingers nervously twist a strand of hair. It's like a silent language, revealing what she feels inside.

I get where she's coming from. Being the sole heir to a family legacy, especially with a dad who's an NFL legend, I've felt my own share of that pressure. It was always about matching up to his achievements, like chasing a shadow that's always a step ahead. When I was younger, it felt like I was in a never-ending race to live up to his past.

But you know, times evolve. I was only seven when I began to forge my own way. And luckily, Mom has been my steadfast supporter, backing my decisions while pursuing her own ambitions in the high-end real estate market.

As Milli continues texting on her phone, curiosity gets the better of me. Who's on the other end of that conversation? A friend? Is she making plans for a get-together? Or could it be a guy? That last possibility sends a twist through my gut—she isn't mine, after all.

I know, I know, I silently scold myself.

But still, every time we're together, time just races by. I always end up wanting more before we have to part ways. College life for me and high school for her puts a gap in our usual routines. I miss those impromptu midnight swims, sharing my mom's homemade chocolate chip cookies while swapping stories, or just walking side by side to class or on the football field. It's these simple moments I find myself longing for, more so now that they're not as easy to come by.

I quickly grab my phone, firing off a lighthearted text.

Miles

Your phone's stealing all your attention tonight, huh, Baby Sutton?

She looks up from across the table. A soft blush creeps over her cheeks just as she dives back into typing on her phone.

Mills

Have to find some entertainment . . .

Our eyes meet once more, and instinctively, I arch an eyebrow. Is she challenging me, or is she just that fed up with these family dinners as much as I am?

I get it, though. Our parents can be overwhelming, always stuck on football and local hometown Stoneton gossip. But these dinners are my excuse to hang out with Mills, something I always look forward to.