Chapter 4

My calmness seemed to unsettle them more than any outburst would have.

I heard a surprised gasp from Brooke.

Even Savannah looked momentarily stunned.

Chloe's smile faltered.

Good. Let them wonder. Let them feel something other than blind adoration for their new golden boy.

As I reached the exit, Liam, ever the performer, quickly recovered.

He put his arm around Chloe's waist, pulling her close.

"Don't worry about him, baby," he said loudly, for everyone, including me, to hear. "He's just being a sore loser."

Chloe leaned into him, but I saw her glance back at me, a flicker of something – confusion? Regret? – in her eyes before she turned away.

The celebration inside continued, the sounds of forced cheerfulness following me out.

It was a sickening parody of all the celebrations they'd thrown for me.

The same food, probably. The same decorations, repurposed.

The same people, now cheering for a different name.

My replacement.

As I walked towards my truck, Skylar hurried out after me.

"Ethan! Wait!"

I stopped, but didn't turn.

She came around to face me, clutching a small, beautifully wrapped box.

"This is... this is for Liam," she said, her voice hesitant. "It's a custom-made quarterback wristband. With his initials. I... I had it made for you, for the showcase."

Her eyes were downcast.

The gift she'd so lovingly planned for me, now repurposed for him.

Another piece of my life, handed over.

The pain was a sharp, physical thing in my chest.

Before I could say anything, Liam appeared in the doorway, Chloe at his side.

"Everything okay out here?" he asked, his tone dripping with false concern.

He spotted the box in Skylar's hand. "Oh, is that for me, Sky?"

Skylar nodded mutely, handing it to him.

Liam unwrapped it with a flourish. "Wow! This is amazing! Thanks, sis!"

He slipped it onto his wrist. It looked expensive.

Then he looked at me, a calculating glint in his eyes.

"Hey, Ethan, you still have that old one, right? The one you won MVP with sophomore year? Maybe I could have that one too? You know, for good luck. Make it a matching set."

He was taunting me, implying my past achievements were just trinkets he could now claim.

Chloe stepped forward. "Ethan, just give it to him. It's just an old wristband. It means more to Liam now."

Her voice was cold, authoritative.

The wristband he meant was in my gym bag, in my truck.

One of the few things I hadn't been able to bring myself to throw away.

It was a symbol of a time when I was their hero, their hope.

Now, it was just another thing for Liam to take.

I walked to my truck, opened the door, and reached into the bag.

I pulled out the worn leather wristband, the silver MVP charm still attached.

I walked back and held it out to Liam.

He snatched it from my hand with a triumphant grin.

"Thanks, bro."

I looked at Chloe, at Skylar, whose face was now pale.

"Is that all?" I asked, my voice empty.

Savannah and Brooke had joined them, their faces a mixture of discomfort and forced approval for Liam.

"Ethan," Brooke said softly, "are you sure you'll be okay? Where will you go?"

A fleeting, shallow concern.

Savannah added, "You should at least let Mom know your plans."

Their words felt like salt in a wound.

Hypocrisy.

"I'll be fine," I said, turning away. "Don't worry about me."

I got into my truck and started the engine.

This time, I didn't look back.