Hey, everyone! Rocky roads ahead for #Conn. These two have never had it easy, but at least they've had each other... what happens if they don't? 💔

Cole

Friends.

All the on and off flirtation, hookups, and love between us, and that's what our five-year liaison boils down to.

Nice.

But, being the pathetic low-life that I am, I'll take it. It isn't what I wanted us to be, sure, but it's better than what we were a couple weeks ago—completely on the outs and not on speaking terms. At least this way we can have something.

Who knows? Maybe she'll even get over her baseless apprehension where my father's concerned. If his shitty terms of familial loyalty don't bother me, they shouldn't bother her either.

Sighing heavily, I slam my locker closed.

This. This is why I can't move on, dammit.

I reach another high point on the rollercoaster that is my relationship with Wynn, even if it is something as small as a tenuous friendship, and I start reasoning my way back to her, making excuses for her misgivings. I can justify almost any behavior when it comes to Wynona. She's my drug of choice as well as my kryptonite.

What in the hell is wrong with me?

I make my way down the hallway, accepting handshakes and well-wishes every step of the way. The game against South High is tonight and an even bigger deal than our homecoming game last weekend with the Titans. South is our city rival, so naturally, the whole school is keyed up for it.

Last Friday's showdown didn't go as planned, what with the boxing match that broke out during the football game, all courtesy of Ari Castillo and his wandering eyes. Neither did Saturday's main event—homecoming.

I took Colby to homecoming, pulling out all the stops. We took a stretch limo with a big group of friends and teammates, had a five-star meal, and even had professional pictures taken. The works.

She looked beautiful as always and seemed to be having a good time, but I could tell that her heart wasn't in it. Neither was mine, truth be told. We danced and hung out with friends, talked, made out... it was everything a night like that should be, only it wasn't enough.

Colby made arrangements to get home, having had an unfortunate repeat of her dinner just like Wynn did a few nights before, and I didn't find out until her ride arrived. Needless to say, I offered to escort her home, but she insisted that I stay. Not sure why I did, as there was nothing there for me at that point. My date had fled, so I was left fending off starry-eyed classmates who saw her departure as a golden opportunity.

Ugh.

To make matters even worse, in my moment of weakness, Homer and Mark managed to get me lit. Me. I drank until I couldn't see straight, amusing my teammates to no end and absolutely hating myself for it.

It's not who I am. I'm not the guy that does something because everyone else is doing it. At least, I didn't use to be. Being broken has a way of changing you, I guess. I wanted to forget the pain, I wanted to ignore my circumstances and failures. I needed to be free of all the heartache, just for a night.

Then, as a reward for my reckless behavior, a phone call to check on Colby a little later that evening netted me a conversation with none other than Wyatt Matheson. Initially, I couldn't believe that she'd gone running to him. I was irate.

Until I realized that we're the same, Colby and me.

We're both chasing what we can't have, pining over what we've already lost. Not gonna lie, I was pissed that she went to him. But in some ridiculous twist of a messed up reality, I get it— probably better than anyone.

It was at the rock bottom level of my drunken stupor that I decided to make a play for her heart—a real, honest effort to win Colby over and give us a shot. Being the womanizing asshole that he is, goodness knows Wyatt doesn't deserve a girl like her. I haven't given her my best either, but that's about to change.

Distraction free. I'm ready.

I'm just about to my calculus class when I spy Wynn for the first time all week. To my knowledge, she's been MIA since we parted ways at the charity event last weekend. I have a few minutes until class starts, so I head toward her.

We're only friends now, so it's cool.

"Hey, you have a minute?" I ask, catching her off guard.

She glances up from her phone, giving me a half smile as she wipes her palm across her forehead. "Oh, Galloway... yeah, sure."

We wander toward a vacant science lab, where I scan the corridor in both directions before shutting the door behind us. Taylor or one of her awful sycophants seeing Wynn and me alone together would be just what I need. Nobody seemed to be paying us any mind, so I figure we're in the clear.

"What's up?" Wynn asks, crossing her arms over her chest as she leans against the table behind her. It's then that I notice the dark circles beneath her eyes and the unusually pale pallor of her face.

"Are you okay?" I take a step forward, placing my hand on her shoulder momentarily before thinking better of it.

"Fine. Still dealing with the after effects of whatever made me sick last weekend."

She looks utterly green, and tired as hell. Food poisoning, maybe?

"If you're sure?" I ask doubtfully.

She simply nods. "What do you need, Cole?"

"I thought about what you said—the thing about a grand gesture to really grab Colby's attention. What if I asked her to join me for my birthday tomorrow in front of the whole class at the game tonight? Go big or go home, right?"

"That would do it," she agrees, smiling sadly. I choose to ignore the expression on her face, though it's gnawing at my resolve, remembering that I dragged her in here to get advice about another girl—a girl that I'm working really hard to be serious about. Colby deserves that much.

"Thanks, Nono." I use my old nickname for her without thinking, and I'm pretty sure both of us winced. Damn, this simpatico act we have going on sucks. But I'm all in now, so I kick it up a notch. "Hey, by the way, Colby's been worried about you. So have I. She said you've been really distant, and haven't gotten back to her when she texts and calls."

The angry look that forms on Wynn's face was not what I had bargained for.

"Oh, I see," she sneers. "So you and Colby spend all of your time together talking about me, huh?"

"That's not what I—"

"I don't need this, Cole! We've both moved on, or at least I have. It's not my fault if you're still so obsessed that you can't talk about anything else."

"Wynn, it isn't—"

"You and Colby are perfect for each other," she asserts, her features filled with fire and fury. "I'll do my best to provide you with continuing scandals for your gossiping enjoyment."

The hell?

"Okay, friend," I scoff. "I think I'm about over this." I retreat with one final glance in her direction. Her eyes meet mine defiantly—a challenge, daring me to walk away.

This isn't my Wynn.

It's obvious to me that something is wrong, and equally clear that I've been unceremoniously banished from her inner circle. So I do something her Cole never would've done.

I leave.

...

The game is a joke.

Who'd have thought after all the drama in our bout last week, and all of my personal chaos that we'd have this game so well in hand?

"Alright guys, one more touchdown will put this game away for good," Nash says breathlessly, having just rushed for thirty-two yards to put us in the red zone.

"Let's do this," I say, tossing my hand into the center of the huddle. Everyone follows suit, smacking their palms down on top of mine. We already received the play from the sideline, so everybody knows their role.

The football's going to Wyatt. Hate to admit it, but it's a good call as he's been coming down with nearly impossible receptions all night. I've always been enough of a team player to set aside my bitter grievances for the good of the squad.

Most of the time, anyway.

We line up, and Grant Hurley snaps the ball. I drop back into the pocket just in time to watch Wyatt fake out the cornerback, stutter stepping away from the South defender. I pump the ball twice before releasing and instantly realize I put too much juice on it.

It's high. Damn.

I watch helplessly as the ball sails over my teammates, hoping that Wyatt will be fast enough to catch it. At the last second, he launches upward, his fingertips cinching around the football in the end zone where he lands, coming down on his back hard. It's six.

Victory.

Reluctant admiration wars with jealousy as I watch him sacrifice himself, all in the name of the game. He put it all on the line, though we already had this one in the bag. I'm... impressed.

We race toward the end zone, congratulating Wyatt and each other on a job well done as the crowd explodes with uproarious applause and cheers. It's deafening. Thrilling.

This is why I love the game—what makes it worth the literal blood, sweat, and tears. Celebrating with the guys I've come to think of as brothers, and basking in the enthusiastic roar of those gathered in the stadium. That's difficult to remember at times when I'm working with my personal trainer or picking apart footage with my dad.

Nights like tonight are a great reminder. I'm hoping it gets even better after what I have planned next.

Ignoring the nerves rioting within me, I make my way toward the sideline, where I retrieve a microphone. The crowd and team are distracted by some sort of juvenile prank arranged by Ari, which actually serves to help me, keeping everybody occupied until the sound guy is ready.

The bright glow of the spotlight falls upon me center field, signaling that it's show time. All at once, I'm not so certain this is a good idea. I like her. I like Colby, but this is a lot. Wynn knows Colby better than anyone, so I don't doubt that her suggestion was sound.

She just isn't Wynn...

But it's too late for regrets now, with all the eyes in the arena upon my lone form.

"I need everybody's attention please!" I begin. "I need a Miss Colby Byers to join me out here!"

The crowd hoots and hollers as Colby makes her way uncertainly toward me. I don't blame her for being a little wary, what with the entire stadium watching her every move. When she reaches me, she graces me with a bright smile, and I convince myself that this is what I want.

...Right?

I take her hand in mine, determined to see this through. "We all know tomorrow's a big day for me, being my eighteenth birthday and all. Well, the whole school is invited, and it's gonna be a heck of a party at Club Groove!"

The applause detonates as everybody realizes they're invited to my stupid shindig tomorrow. My mom has been planning this party for an entire year, having obtained my father's blessing. And it'll be a hell of a party, sure. I'm just not really feeling it.

"The thing is, I can't go to my own party alone, so..." I continue, dropping to one knee as Colby gasps, looking down at me curiously, her brow furrowed. "Will you do me the honor of being my birthday date? Without you, there'll be no party."

A chant for C-Squared bubbles up from out of nowhere as Colby's eyes widen. Her surprise is palpable—she looks more bewildered than anything. I don't miss the momentary glance toward Wyatt. I also don't miss his slight nod of approval.

Approval...

Apparently, I've missed something.

Well, shit.

"Umm...okay," she squeaks to the crowd's utter delight. At least somebody in this building is happy.

Geez. That's not exactly what I was picturing, but whatever.

I wrap her in my arms, and unbelievably, I feel relieved. After the spectacle I just made of myself, it's clear to me that she doesn't want this. Neither do I.

Maybe we can finally put an end to this farce of a relationship before it ends up hurting either of us. Or any of us, rather, as out of the corner of my eye I see Wyatt chasing Wynn out of the stadium.

She's hurt, and it's my fault.