I reached for Zach as I opened my eyes, but my hand only found the sheets. I looked to my right and saw he was gone. I found a piece of paper folded on the pillow next to me.

I smiled and folded the paper back up and stuck it under my pillow. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and texted Dane. 

Me: Just wanted you to be the first to know that I’m back with Zach.

Dane: Good. So, I need some advice.

Me: Yeah?

Dane: Should I try to work on things with Sadie? 

Me: But she’s so far away. 

Dane. I know. Is that a no I shouldn’t then? 

Me: It’s not a no. It’s a she’s far away, and it could be difficult. 

Dane: I know... Fuck. Oh, by the way, Trevor is here, and he’s talking about quitting school and going to New York. I need help talking him into not leaving until the end of the school year. He’s really depressed, and this isn’t like him. I don’t know what to do. I need help.

Me: Do you want me to come over now?

Dane: If you can. We’re about to eat breakfast. Come eat with us?

Me: Yeah. I’ll jump in the shower and then head over. 

Dane: K. Oh, and lover boy is here. Looks like he didn’t get much sleep. LOL

Me: We had a lot of making up to do. ;)

Dane: Figured.

Me: It’s not awkward for you, right? Dammit, sorry. We go from making out to best friends again. Tell me when too much info is too much info.

Dane: Lol it’s fine.

I got out of bed and got dressed. I went downstairs after brushing my teeth and told my parents what I was doing and then got in my car. I didn’t tell them Dane and I had broken up, but I’d tell them when I was ready. When I got to Coach’s, Quinn and Brink were on the floor, helping Millie put a puzzle together. 

Brink smiled, and Millie jumped up. She ran over and hugged my legs.

“Dane and Trevor are in the kitchen cooking breakfast.”

Millie looked up at me and said, “Daddy and Uncle Zach are upstairs.”

I hugged her before going into the kitchen. 

“Hope you’re hungry. We’ve made a ton of food,” Dane said as he smiled at me over his shoulder. “Can you grab some plates?”

“Yup.” I grabbed some, and it took me a second to remember not to check out Dane.

Trevor took the pancakes to the table and then grabbed the bacon. “How’s your morning going?” he asked me without his normal smile.

“Fine. So, I hear you want to go to New York.”

“I miss my best friend, and she hates it there. She feels so alone.”

I wished he knew that I knew his secret. I nodded. “Yeah, but we’d all miss you here. What if we just go for a visit over spring break?”

“It’s so far away. I’m going to spend Christmas break with her, but she needs me, Hales. We’ve been friends since pre-k.”

“And a couple.”

He smiled sadly. “Dane told me he told you the truth, Hales.”

“Oh.” I smiled when he looked at me. “I wish you’d embrace it and not give a shit about these small-minded assholes.”

“I know, but it’s hard. My parents don’t even know.”

“We will be here for you.”

“Thanks. I know I’m probably overreacting, but it’s hard being away from someone you love.”

Dane brought the rest of the food over. He had two plates already fixed. 

“Hales, can you take these up to Zach and Elliot?”

“Sure.” I smiled at him.

“Thanks. They’re in Elliot’s room. It’s the first door on the right as you come up the stairs.” He put the plates and two glasses of orange juice on a tray and handed it to me. I went up the stairs and found the door to Coach’s room open. I walked in and saw Zach asleep in a chair next to the bed, and Coach was drawing.

“Hey,” I whispered as I set the tray of food down on the end of his bed.

I sat down next to him. “So I’m sure you’ve heard the news.”

“Yeah. He told me this morning before he crashed in that chair.”

 Coach patted my knee. “I’m glad you two worked things out. He’s happy when he’s with you.” Coach started coughing which caused Zach to wake up. Before I could do anything, Zach helped Coach hold a bottle of water in his trembling hands to take a drink.

“I’m okay,” he finally got out after the coughing stopped.

Zach put the water next to the bed. “It’s time for your medicine, and you need to eat.”

“I’m not really hungry, Zach.”

My heart hurt so badly seeing Coach this way. I looked at his drawing, and it was of Millie and his wife. I looked at Zach. Zach looked like he was breaking apart as he looked at his brother.

“Try to eat.” He helped Coach sit back against the headboard then handed him the tray after removing his own plate and glass.

“Daddy, can I eat with you?” Millie’s voice said from the doorway.

“Of course, little trouble.” She smiled and came in. 

“You can have my plate.” Zach helped her in bed. He found a lap desk and let Millie use it to eat on.

Coach looked at Zach. “Why don’t you go eat with Hales and get some sleep.”

“I’m fine,” Zach said as he tried to smile. He plopped back down in the chair. 

Coach looked at me then motioned to Zach with his head.

I stood and held my hand out to Zach. “Come on.”

Zach opened his mouth to argue, but Coach spoke, “Send Brink or Quinn up. You’re exhausted; plus you said you had to go to the cabin today. Do what you have to do, and get some rest.”

Zach sighed heavily then put his hand in mine and stood.

We left the room. Zach put his back to the wall when we came out. “Can you give me a ride to my cabin?”

“Yeah. Of course.” I didn’t know what to say or do. This was so hard on everyone, especially Zach. It wasn’t fair. Coach deserved the entire world.

“Do you need to grab anything from here before we go?”

He shook his head. “I just need to tell Brink to sit with Elliot.” 

He kissed my forehead after he pushed off the wall. “Thank you, Tiger.”

I smiled. “I missed hearing you call me that.” I followed him downstairs. I went over to Trevor and Dane while Zach talked to Brink.

“I’m heading to the cabin with Zach. And Trevor, you are not leaving us. We should plan a trip to see Sadie soon, but you’re staying here.”

Trevor smiled a little. “You’re taking Zach to the cabin? Is that code for something? And should Dane be jealous?” He asked teasingly.

My eyes widened. Shit. I looked at Dane.

“You can trust him, Hales.”

“Dane and I broke up, and I’m dating Zach. I dated Zach for a while, and no one knew. Dane can give you the full story.”

Trevor grinned. “Don’t think no one knew. I’m good at hiding things. I know what to look for.”

I laughed. “Just keep being good at hiding things. 

My parents and the school can’t find out. Especially now that Coach isn’t going to be able to be around, Zach is stepping up.”

I looked at Zach when he walked in. I noticed I was standing very close to Dane. In my defense, it was habit. I took a step away from him, putting a more comfortable distance between us.

“Ready?” I asked Zach.

Zach nodded. He looked so tired and sad.

I told the guys goodbye, and then Zach and I headed out to my car. Zach grabbed my hand in his as I drove. By the time we made it to the cabin, he was sound asleep. 

I woke him up when we got to the cabin, and we headed inside. He fell into the bed and was out again. I took off his shoes and then mine. I climbed into bed beside him and rubbed his back until I fell asleep too.