Hey, all! We will get right down to business here :) Above, Break Up in a Small Town by Sam Hunt. Below, our beloved star-crossed lovers, Cole and Wynn ❤️❤️

Cole

Something in my life has gone horribly awry. Everything should be sunshine and rainbows—that's how it is for all the hotshot quarterbacks on TV and in movies, anyway. So how the hell did I end up double-dumped by two incredible women, both in the same damn month?

It's all fiction and lies. Storytelling.

Not much of my life has gone according to a traditional script. From the outside looking in, one would think I have it all. I guess in some ways I do: I want for nothing, don't struggle with my grades, and have more female attention than I care to deal with.

But the flip side of all those things, the reality that leaves me reeling in its wake, forms a truth that's inescapable: I'm a lousy son and subpar quarterback who's in love with a girl that won't love me in return.

Still, I'm not the type that stays down for the count. I dutifully attended my birthday party sans date and somehow emerged as a hero rather than a loser, even after my crazy, over-the-top date proposal to Colby was ultimately struck down.

You would think it'd be perfect fodder for ridicule, but instead, it was considered 'swoonworthy' and 'romantic'. The look on Chelsea Parker's face as she stares at me in Mr. Beeker's class is all the confirmation that I need for that theory.

Ugh. Whatever.

I guess some parts of the idiotic shows I'm using as a comparison for my life are true. In the eyes of the student body, it seems I can do no wrong. If only my father held me in the same regard. I know better than to hope for that though...

And while being dumped by Colby and Wynona was a huge ego check, I can't really say I'm surprised on either count. Things with Wynn were bound to come to an end at some point, what with all of the havoc my father wreaked on our short-lived relationship. I can't blame it all on him, either, which is the part that really sucks. I denied that truth for years, but I've always known she was meant for someone better than me.

Colby, on the other hand, could do much better than what she's allegedly chosen. By all accounts, she's back with Wyatt. I knew without question a couple of nights ago when she drop-kicked my ass to the curb that she'd make a beeline for her vice—just like I would mine if she would have me.

I also recognize that I messed things up with Colby from the word go. Though we were never official, I certainly wasn't fair to her. I was with Wynn in mind and oftentimes in body while Colby and I were working toward getting a relationship off the ground. That was destined for failure from the start. No harm, no foul there.

Though I still think she deserves more than douchebag could ever offer her.

"We'll be digging into chapter twenty-two in our next class," Mr. Beeker says just as the bell rings, and I realize that I didn't hear a single word of his riveting lecture today. I grab my book, dropping it into my backpack before wandering out of the classroom and into the hallway.

"Yo, Padre!" Homer shouts, picking up his pace and falling into step beside me. "What're you doing later?"

"Nada," I say. There's no football practice this week since we have a bye weekend on our schedule. Ordinarily, I'd be happy to have a week free of Coach Castillo's ridiculous drills and over-the-top expectations, but I think this week I'd be grateful for the distraction.

"Mark and I are going bowling with a few girls from the cheer squad, and the odds will definitely be in our favor, 'cause Bethany and Krista are coming. Should be a good time! You in, man?" Homer smiles like the dog he is, and I don't  have to be a mind reader to know what's running through his head right now.

Ew.

"Sure, I guess so," I say, deciding that it's better than no diversion at all. We reach the senior locker bay where Mark joins us, and Homer continues running his mouth—complete with a play-by-play of all the things he'd like to do with Bethany if she's willing. I nod halfheartedly, suppressing a shudder as I work to exterminate the vivid images he's slinging my way.

My gaze drifts down the hallway as Mark and Homer exchange strategies on winning the cheer squad over, only to land on the last thing I care to witness right now: Wyatt talking to Wynn.

Again.

I swear. That prick is like a bad case of herpes—always present and never going away.

...

"So Cole, are you taking anybody to the harvest festival?" Krista coos as she strokes the swell of her chest.

Subtle. I have no idea what she's aiming for.

Sighing, I roll my eyes, well aware of the fact that it's abundantly rude to do so. It isn't as though I haven't been patient with her, though. She's been pawing at me since we arrived at the bowling alley. Hell, she's even tried to crawl into my lap twice.

The word desperate comes to mind.

"Yep," I say, lying like a champ. "You don't know her though."

"Oh," Krista mutters, her disappointment plain. I feel like a shithead for being dishonest, but my lies should put a stop to her relentless pursuit at least. Here's hoping, anyway.

"You holding out on us, Cole?" Mark asks taking a seat as he returns from his shift on the lanes. He's killing it, with strikes on every turn he takes. "Who is she?"

"You'll meet her soon enough," I assert, perpetuating my deceptions. My payoff is instantaneous as Krista slinks over to Mark, setting her sights on a new target.

Now I don't feel so bad.

We continue our game, and it moves along without a hitch. Homer is effectively occupied with Bethany in between turns, which suits him just fine, and Mark is left fending for himself with Krista, who's happily attempting to sink her claws into him instead of me. The other three girls that came with Bethany and Krista are too scared to speak to me, so I'm in the clear.

All in all, I feel like I'm winning, even though I didn't bring my A-game for bowling today. I'm beating everyone but Mark at least, and I'm blissfully free of Krista. It could certainly be worse.

"Hey, guys!"

Damn. Spoke too soon.

Greg Hayword sidles up to our little group with none other than Lana Stockton in tow. The gleeful smirk on his stupid-ass face tells me he isn't here for fun. Those of us gathered offer a smattering of greetings as he drops Lana's hand, moving to take a seat next to me.

Well, I was having a decent time...

"You must be pissed as hell right about now," Greg prods, waggling his eyebrows at me. Needless to say, we haven't spoken since I got him expelled. As far as I was concerned, I was done with this dick for good.

"Why would I be mad?" I demand. "I'm still QB one, have a four-point-two GPA, and I've got a variety of schools begging me to come play for them."

I'm lost. He obviously knows something I don't and can't wait to spill, but I can't help rubbing my successes in his smug face before he does. I'll never forget what he did.

"I see you're the same boring, straight-laced bastard you've always been," he continues, some spittle from his mouth landing on my jeans as he gloats. "You might be looking for a bit of revenge though soon, do-gooder. I'm surprised you don't know already."

"Out with it!" I huff. Whatever it is, I'm sick of all the tap-dancing.

"Wynona is pregnant with Wyatt Matheson's baby!" Lana chirps.

"Lan—" Greg protests, having had his moment of glory stolen, but she isn't finished.

"Morgan was out with...a...friend, yeah!" she heaves with excitement. "And they saw Wynn leaving an OB's office across town with Wyatt! Can you believe it?"

No. I can't...

"Are you sure?" Mark asks, eyeing me warily, as if he thinks I may snap.

I might.

"Positive," Greg says, leaping to his feet and stealing the limelight back from Lana. "Matheson is such a piece of work. First, that piece of shit got me expelled, and then he screwed Wynona before you could! We should team up and teach 'em a lesson!"

The pleasure Greg is taking in delivering this news has me seeing red. He sneers with joy as he watches me digest it all, and I'm so angry, I can taste it. My face heats as adrenaline pours into my bloodstream, causing my body to shake as I come to terms with the info dump.

"Crazy, right?" Greg pushes.

Too far.

I rise, moving to stand before the scum of the earth I used to spend so much time with. Never a friend. He was never a friend. The toes of my boots clash with his as I stare down at the pint-sized peon that just set my world on fire.

"It wasn't Wyatt that got you expelled, asshole. It was me," I say, jabbing my index finger into his chest. "And you deserved that and then some. As for Wynona and Wyatt, I don't know why you think I'd care. I moved on from that pursuit a long time ago. But then, you wouldn't know that, what with being expelled and all."

Greg's mouth drops open as I deliver some unexpected news of my own. But I'm more than happy in this moment to knock the punk down a few pegs.

I'm done.

I pick up my jacket and leave the bowling alley without a second thought, unwilling to deal with the fallout of my revelations or Greg's.

I jog to my car with more thoughts racing through my head than I'm able to process. Wynn's pregnancy is shocking enough, but the fact that its Wyatt's absolutely blows my mind. '

...How?

I'm beside myself as I consider the possibilities. Needless to say, I've always held out hope for a second chance. Hell, any chance. I take a deep breath, forcing myself to use reason instead of emotion as I think things over.

Wynn and I have been off and on for years now, and we've slept together more times than I could count. But we never failed to be safe, never took any chances. The prospect of the baby being mine is slim at best.

I suppose that should be a relief, but it isn't.

Because it means she slept with him. It means she was careless with him.

I shake my head, forcing the idea of Wyatt and Wynn out of my mind. It's too ridiculous. Besides, he's back with Colby. They never would've been...

But Wynn did push Colby and me together. Perhaps that wasn't as random as I thought it was. Maybe she wanted us occupied so she could snag Wyatt for herself. I've also seen Wyatt and Wynn spend a lot of time together of late. I'd like to deny that, too, but they were practically glued at the hip the night that Colby dumped me. I saw Wyatt chase Wynn down after the game, watched the two of them dance the night away. I observed them together in the hall just today.

And then there's the most compelling evidence of all: the truth that it wasn't me at that appointment today. It was him.

No wonder she was so eager to end things. I get it now.

Damn. I've been so blind and stupid.