Page 64 of Fighting Fate

I want to brush it off, tell him he's wrong. But deep down, I can't, because he's partially right.

Annoying little fucker. He's like a pesky fly you just want to swat away.

Still, I reply, trying to sound nonchalant, "Nah, why would it have to do with her?"

He shrugs. "I don't know, man. You just seem wound up lately. Maybe a beer would do you good."

And he's right. I am fucking tense. If he had the same pressure I do—the constant nagging from my dad about scouts, the upcoming Panthers' Day game, expectations of making it to the NFL, and acing senior year for med school—he'd probably be reaching for a beer, too. It feels like I'm back in those days of playing catch-up after long hospital stays.

Trying to manage the mounting frustration, I briefly close my eyes, taking a moment to compose myself. Then, I stand up and head to the fridge, grabbing a beer. Cam watches me with a smug look that says, "I knew it."

Taking a sip, feeling the chill of the beer calming my nerves, I address the unspoken tension. "I just can't afford distractions right now," I say, dismissing his earlier comment about Milli. "There's a lot riding on this year."

Cam nods, his attention already drifting. Then he drops a bombshell. "Did I tell you I saw Milli at the dance studio yesterday? Who's that guy she's dancing with?"

My blood starts to boil.

This is exactly what I don't need—thoughts of Milli with Wyatt. He doesn't fit the typical dancer's mold; he's built like he's training for the WWE, not freaking dance.

"Nah, you didn't mention it," I reply, struggling to keep my voice even.

Cam smirks. "She looked hot, man. And the way he was touching her...I wouldn't be surprised if there's something going on."

That's when Luke chimes in from his bedroom, grabbing a beer and sitting down on the couch. "Can we not talk about my sister with some dude I haven't met?"

Cam shrugs, unphased. "What can I say? Your sister's like a magnet for the guys on campus."

Luke turns his head to give Cam a glare.

Cam throws up his hands and says, "Hey, don't be mad at the truth. The truth is the truth, after all."

Luke sighs and leans back on the couch, resting his feet on the table. "Tell me about it. I didn't think it would be this bad."

I mean, he must have seen it coming at least a little bit. Milli might be reserved, but she did have guys lining up in high school.

Luke grabs the remote and flips to an NFL game. He adds, "Chasen had to practically drag me away from a brawl with some dude she was tutoring." He chuckles. "Thank goodness he intervened, or Mrs. Raker might've chewed me out."

Cam looks at me, eyebrows raised in mock surprise. "Oh, Miles to the rescue?" His silent mouthed comment, "More like your rescue," doesn't go unnoticed.

I silently mouth back, "Fuck you" and flip him off, but deep down, he's got a point.

Cam just laughs and takes another swig of his beer. I've lost count of how many he's had.

Luke, still focused on the game, asks, "Have you seen any of this game?"

As if I have the time to sit through an entire NFL game on a Thursday night. I catch bits of games, usually on Sundays, after my tutoring sessions with Milli. But during the week? No chance.

Luke takes a sip of his beer, commenting, "Chicago doesn't stand a chance against Denver."

I nod absentmindedly.

"Hey, don't knock Denver. That's where my allegiance lies, you know? Orange Crush forever," Cam shoots back, his tone laced with humor and a mischievous grin playing at the corners of his mouth.

"How could any of us forget your hometown pride?" Luke mumbles, barely audible, and I suppress a chuckle.

It's true; Cam wears his Denver loyalty like a badge of honor. I recall our season opener when Cam, brimming with unabashed enthusiasm, got yanked off the field. Our coach's words still echo in my memory, "Cameron, this isn't the NFL, and we're certainly not the Broncos." We all struggled to keep our laughter in check for days after that.

Shaking my head at their antics, I glance at the TV, where the score flashes—Chicago leading by 10. But knowing Denver, the game's still up for grabs. They're famed for their dramatic second-half revivals. Plus, they've got Jakens, the rookie sensation. His game-changing plays, those needle-threading passes, and his uncanny knack for outmaneuvering defenses have revitalized the team. He's the reason Denver's not just a team, but a force this season. So yeah, Chicago might be ahead, but with Denver's track record, I wouldn't bet against a comeback.