Offside (Rules of the Game, #1)

by Avery Keelan

“Perfect,” he teased. “Then you can swing by our home game when you’re done.” My throat tightened. “You know you’re playing us, right?” “Yeah. Still too weird?” Chase asked, tone softening. “It’s okay. I get it.” “I’m not sure.” I drew in a breath and held it for a beat. It was weird, but maybe it always would be. “Can I think about it? It’s just about Derek at this point. It’s a little…awkward for me.” Who would I even cheer for? Both sides? Neither? “No worries,” he said. “If not, maybe the next one.” He was trying to hide it, but there was a hint of disappointment in his voice that hit me right in the gut. All of a sudden, I felt wildly guilty. I’d attended Luke’s games religiously. All of them. I hadn’t been to a single one of Chase’s. “You know what? I’ll come,” I said. Shiv and I would sit far, far away from Jillian and Amelia. Like, on the other side of the arena. Before and after might take some extra vigilance, but I would figure it out. Plus, I wanted to see Chase play.