The next week passed excruciatingly slowly. Kaitlyn loved Echo Ridge, but she’d never been so anxious to leave.

Friday night, she got a text from Mason. Meet me at the football game?

Sure.

This was it. She was so nervous she couldn’t eat her lunch or think straight. She gave a customer a fifty percent discount instead of fifteen on over a dozen items. Jessica shook her head and sent her home early.

Two hours later, she waited by the grandstands, searching the crowds for Mason. The smell of hot dogs and popcorn made her stomach even more jumpy. Echo Ridge got a first down, and the crowd cheered triumphantly. If only Kaitlyn could focus on something as carefree as a football game. Would she have to sit through the entire game before they talked?

Strong arms wrapped around her from behind. Kaitlyn felt herself stiffen instead of lean into Mason. He released her, and she turned to face him.

“You okay?”

She shook her head. “Can we talk?”

He nodded somberly. He clearly knew this was coming. They walked away from the cheering crowd and bright lights of the football stadium to the lacrosse field. Mason stopped and turned to face her.

“What is it, Kait?”

“You know I’ve loved you since I was sixteen.”

He nodded.

“But I’ve changed. We’ve changed.”

“Guess the dating other people went differently than I’d hoped.”

She placed a hand on his forearm. “I’m so sorry, Mace. You’re one of the best guys I know, but haven’t you felt it the past year?”

He stared at her like she was a stranger to him. “Felt what?”

“You and I drifting apart. You know why I started going to the Lizard’s games, right?” The source of all of this angst. If she’d never gone, she never would’ve had Axel give her that ball, then touch her, then kiss her. She might be a royal mess in the head right now, but if she’d never gone, she would never have known Axel, and she would’ve lived a shallow shell of a life. Maybe she would never have realized she could have the joy and fulfillment Axel had brought to her life.

“Because you love lacrosse?”

Kaitlyn pulled her hand away and shook her head. “I do love lacrosse, but I went to feel a connection to you again.” She bowed her head. “And to give us something to talk about when you called.”

Mason studied her. “You tried to tell me, but I didn’t want to hear it. It’s always just been us for me, you know?”

“I know.”

He pushed a hand through his hair. That beautiful reddish-blond hair that she used to love to run her fingers through. “I feel like I’m losing one of my best friends.” He gave her a smile that wrenched her heart.

Kaitlyn completely agreed and she couldn’t resist hugging him. He squeezed her back, but released her quickly and backed up a couple of steps.

“I’m sorry.” She barely managed to get the words out.

He shook his head. “It’s not your fault.” He swallowed then asked quickly, “Are you dating Axel?”

Kaitlyn blinked. “Yeah.”

“He’s a good guy.”

“He is.”

“Take care of yourself.” He whirled and strode away.

Kaitlyn watched him go. I feel like I’m losing my best friend, rang through her head. Why did life have to be about so many hard choices?