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Thea buives me another look Just do it, this one says

I clearCade gives me a funny look from where he sits across the table from me He looks almost worried

“Xander,” Thea whispers under her breath

I scrubto notice my odd behavior

“Xander?” My o lie down?”

I sainst the wood table and blurt, “I made the team I’m on the Denver Broncos”

Silence Absolute silence

I’ so bad now that my brow is da I don’t want to see their faces I don’t want to see the hurt there

“Can you repeat that?” my dad asks

I breathe out and lower ust but … but pride in his gaze

“I’ain, and this time, I meet his eyes and thento my mom’s eyes and Cade looks—he looks surprised and hurt

“I didn’t even know you tried out,” ether “Oh, reat news”

I laugh “You don’t try out—they scout you”

“Oh, right, of course,” she h the air “Oh,you” She juainst the wall as it falls, but she doesn’t notice In no time, she has her arms wrapped around me and she kisses the top of my head the same way she used to when I was a kid

“Whoa, you’re famous now,” Xavier comments as my mom releases me