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"Idon’t know A total collapse in coize to Nathan And keep apologizing to him Tell him you love him You’ve told him you love him, haven’t you?"

She wiped her nose "Well, no"

Her mother rolled her eyes "Tell hi hihed "I hate being wrong"

Her ood for your character Think of it as part of growing up"

"Being a grown-up sucks"

Her mother put her arms around her and cuddled her close "Don’t I know it Every tiht hed

Once she finally got over crying and feeling sorry for herself, Moet dressed They went out for lunch and went shopping, and by the second day she felt a bit more like herself

She was still sad and felt awful, but she had renewed hope Because herto have to find a way to et hiht between theure out how

THIRTY-NINE

THREE GAMES INTO THE SEASON AND THE SABERS were three and oh Nathan was a goddamn machine on the field and he felt incredible about it

As long as he could play football and not have to think about anything else, life was daht?" Ja over to hang out with theaain You rocked those two touchdowns today"

"Hey, only because of you and your rocket arm, my man"

He finished up his interviews and packed it up His parents were in town for the ho them at the house for dinner They had Sa up with his little brother

"Nathan!" Sas as soon as his dad opened the door

"Sammy!" Nathan scooped him up and twirled hi now"

His dad laughed "It’s always the same with you two Hey, Nathan"

"Hey, Dad"

"I saw you play football today" Sam plucked at his football jersey "I’m wearin’ your number"

"I see that It’s probably on today"

Sam’s eyes widened "You think so?"

"I know so, buddy"

He played with Sa out with his friend next door Then Nathan sat doith his parents while hissolid out there on the field, Nathan," his dad said "Press coverage says you’re like a hed and took a sip of the soda hiswell for the teareat weapons to throw to"

"Don’t I know it"

"How’s Mia?" his a each other anymore"

Her mom looked shocked "Oh, no What happened?"

"Tara," his dad said "That’s not our business"

"But you tere so close I thought it was love"

"Yeah, well, it wasn’t"

"Mick, go grab Sam from the Millers’," his mom said "It’s time to eat"

"Okay"