Page 83 of The Holiday Makeover

Now this place felt like someone else’s dream.

Old coaches and former teammates started filing in, their voices echoing off the metal rafters. These were men I’d once called brothers. Men I’d promised I’d never lose touch with. Instead, I’d avoided them for years.

Guilt hit first. Then the anxiety.

Part of me wanted to apologize for all the calls and texts I’d never returned. For a decade or more of radio silence.

The other part of me wanted to get the hell out of there before anyone could slap me on the back and ask about the career that had never happened, or the promises I’d broken. Or worse remind me of the man I’ hadn’t become.

It didn’t help when I saw my dad stroll in and head straight for Quinton near the camera crew.

Something in my gut twisted.

They kept their voices low, their heads bent close, like they were plotting something.

My future, probably.

And the worst part was, the boy in me still craved the attention my dad had been giving me all week. I hated how much I still wanted his approval.

It was all I’d ever wanted from him—to know he was proud of me.

But then my dad glanced my way. Quinton did too. And something about the look they shared told me I still hadn’t gotten there.

Before I could make sense of it, Kaden Olson shouted, “Ryder, what’s up, brother?” as he barreled toward me with his arms open wide.

Then he wrapped me in the kind of hug he’d given me dozens of times after touchdowns and every game we won.

Kaden had been the best high school running back the state had ever seen. My partner on the field. My best friend off it, besides Rory.

“Hey, man.” I patted his back, trying to act normal.

Whatever that meant.

“How are you?” I asked.

He leaned away, wearing that toothy grin of his, his shaved head gleaming under the lights. Kaden was broad shouldered and still built like he could run through a defensive line with no apologies.

“You don’t call. You don’t write,” he said with a grin.

But I heard the truth underneath it all the same.

“I know.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Sorry about that.”

He waved away my apology. “Look at you now. The big time, man. Not surprised.”

I shrugged, trying to act like I knew what to do with that. Which I didn’t. I probably should have, considering this entire circus was technically about me.

“What are you up to?” I asked.

“You know.” He laughed. “Nothing much. Just own a brokerage firm now.”

“Is that all?” I jested.

“You know, we can’t all have our own TV shows.” He laughed, then gave me a look. A look I wasn’t sure I liked.

“But forget all that. What’s up with you and Rory? Rumor has it she’s in town too, and you two are back together?” He raised his brows.

I shifted my feet.