Page 36 of Catching Feelings

hey, the car wash is next weekend, right? Want me to rally the hockey team to help? Will said you have some serious fundraising to do

I sag in relief. Not a come-on, but an offer of help.

And he’s not wrong. We might have a venue, but we’re nowhere close to the money required to pay for it. So, I don’t think twice before answering.

We could use as many hands as we can get

Ryan doesn’t miss a beat. and as many ripped bods and wet t-shirts as possible, amiright??

So much for no come-ons. I’m putting my phone away with an eye roll when it vibrates again.

consider it done

I type a cheerful, diplomatic thank you! The spirit committee appreciates it! before swiping out of his message.

This is exactly why I can’t get on Ryan’s bad side. Exactly why I need to be careful about Tyler. The athletes at this school move as a unit, and Ryan’s got more sway than anyone. This is not the year to antagonize him. I need their help too badly.

When Kara meets me in the parking lot, blue paint streaked on her cheekbones and tinsel in her hair, I let myself get swept away by the group heading to the diner. Kara says something about Will being fine without her and how she doesn’t need to go to every party, and I try to feel validated. That’s right. Me too.

“So, Jenna’s getting into chess—should I get into chess?” Naomi asks, frowning.

Priya links elbows with her. “Absolutely not. It’s incredibly boring.” Naomi’s face falls, and Priya relents. “But my dad taught me a little. We can practice together. If you want.”

Naomi’s face lights up. “Really?”

“As long as you go on two hikes with me this month. We gotta get you touching some grass.”

Meanwhile, Kara’s frowning at her phone screen. “Okay, I know I said this was my year of letting go. But I still need my UCLA application to be perfect, right? Will you all read over my personal statement? I still don’t know about the ending—”

“Now, that’s the Kara I know!” I laugh, leaning my head on her shoulder. I ignore the pang of sorrow at the thought of her flying across the country, at helping her do so. There’s nothing to do about it—it’s just a reminder to enjoy this time.

Why shouldn’t I hang out with my friends? This year is about my girls—I need to talk to Naomi about Jenna, and I knew Kara needed help on her apps, and I want to hear more from Harper about how Dawson’s season is looking and what this year’s business plan holds.

This is what I should be focused on. Not guilt about some guy I barely know.

Tyler was never a part of my plan for this year. And he sure won’t be until I’m certain he’s not going to ruin it all.

16. TYLER

The after-party is at Will’s this time—his parents are out of town, and he’s hidden every breakable object he can find and keeps racing around to put coasters under people’s drinks, but the vibes are still impeccable. The music thumps through our veins and everyone keeps coming up to pat me on the back or ask me about a block or congratulate us on a play. I feel like I’m part of one many-headed being, just another representative of the beloved Hamilton Lakes football team.

It really was a great game. Electric. I’d thought I was grateful for the chance to play again during preseason, but that’s nothing compared to the lightning in my veins at an actual game.

The bone-deep satisfaction of running the plays you’ve been practicing for weeks, putting your teamwork to the test. Not chasing glory, but protecting the rest of my guys.

I felt those same nerves at the start of the game—afraid of losing control, of getting so absorbed I would accidentally hurt someone. Overwhelmed by the memory of bones crunching and limbs twisting in ways they weren’t ever supposed to twist. Nervous sweat prickling under my pads and guilt churning in my stomach.

But then Will clapped me on the shoulder, and I remembered I was here to support my new team. That I could trust our training. That my strength could be an asset again—and maybe pave the way to a future I hadn’t even dreamed of.

So, I took a deep breath and just… played. I set block after block, the cracking impact of pads shaking awake something that’s been dormant inside me. It’s one thing to hit my own team during practice—it’s another to hit your opponents in a game, to savor the satisfaction of clearing a path or foiling an attack. Knowing you’re a part of a whole, working toward excellence.

And this team is excellent.

I can’t stop smiling. I finally feel like I’m back to my old self—back to something bigger than myself. That’s the thing about football, when it’s working. You can’t just do your own thing. Everything relies on meticulous strategy and planning, on knowing where the other guys are, on knowing how you fit into it all. On trusting them implicitly.

I missed that.

My whole body feels warm, and there are so many people approaching to say hi that my couch feels like a throne. In this moment, I don’t need anything else. I’m just so grateful to be part of another team.