"She's going to be okay"

The relief washed over me as soon as I read the text message. I smiled to myself, slumping back in my seat as I waited to get off the plane.

"Jord, she's gonna be fine" I found myself saying to my older brother. He smiled weakly, nodding. It was a lot to take in, what had happened over the past few hours. And now it was time to get my head in the game.

Tonight if we managed to pull off a win, we could get to the conference finals. This was huge for me; I was ecstatic, nervous, happy, angry, all at once. Okay, maybe the anger was aimed more towards Derek than anything..

I couldn't believe the trouble he was giving her for simply missing a breakfast date. I felt responsible for their fight; if Tyler hadn't told her my about my grandmother, she wouldn't have come over, and wouldn't have missed her date. But I couldn't pretend I didn't need her last night; because I did. She always knew just the right ways to comfort me; sometimes with words, sometimes by saying nothing at all. Hell, her mere presence was enough to make me feel a little bit better.

Thanks for the update.. I'm sorry for making you miss your breakfast date with Derek! I feel bad

I typed out a quick text on the way back to the hotel. Not many words were exchanged; everyone seemed content being in their own worlds, prepping for the big game ahead.

It took nearly no time before I got an answer.

Hey, don't worry about it. Youre more important than some breakfast. :)

The message made me smile.

"Whatcha smiling about captain?" Tyler's question broke me from my thoughts. I felt my cheeks go a little bit red; he always seemed to know what was going on.

"Nothing" I muttered, my face going serious once more.

That means a lot, thanks. I hope you're ok though- the phone call didn't sound that good

I texted back quickly, catching Tyler's knowing gaze on me intently.

"Just ask her out already" Tyler shook his head with a little laughter.

"She's got a boyfriend" I reminded him with a frown. A boyfriend who was a lying, cheating, scumbag; but still her boyfriend nonetheless.

"Whose a cheating asshole" Tyler reminded me, almost knowing that's exactly what I was thinking.

Yeah, I'm ok. I dumped his sorry ass earlier this morning.

I thought my heart was about to stop beating. I slowly looked up at Tyler, who was giving me a strange look.

"What?" He asked. I simply turned my phone around so he could read the message. "Well captain, that solves the boyfriend issue" he winked.

What? I'm so sorry Hales. I really hope it's not because of me :(

As much as I wanted to rejoice, I still felt a pang of sadness. I felt as if I was causing her this pain. If it weren't for me, she never would have missed breakfast with him, and maybe they never would have had a fight that led to their breakup.

"Stop feeling like this is your fault bro" Tyler eyed me suspiciously.

It's not your fault Jame! He's the asshole. He told me I needed to choose between having you as a friend or dating him... safe to say I think we know what I chose ✌️

I re-read the message over and over again, trying to hide the smile that wanted to peak out. She chose me over Derek. She chose to be friends with ME.

I quickly turned the phone around so Tyler could read. He raised his eyebrows at me, giving me a suggestive look.

"Don't even go there" I hissed quickly. Sure, that meant I was free to ask her out; but I wasn't going to. I couldn't! I would never risk anything in the world to lose her.

Wow Haley that means more to me than anything in the world :)

"Why not? Just bummed you can't use Derek as an excuse to not ask her out? Tyler asked me quietly. At this point Jordie noticed something was up, for he turned his music off and focused his attention on our conversation.

"I don't know how many times I walk into a conversation on you telling my younger brother to grow a damn pair and ask her out already" Jordie chuckled, punching me in the arm lightly.

"Well now that she dumped Derek I think it's a great opportunity to do so- don't you think?" Tyler asked Jordie who looked a little surprised at his statement. I refrained from rolling my eyes; this time.

"Her and Derek are done?" Jordie asked in surprise. Before he could even ask why I showed him the text Haley had just sent explaining why. "Shit" he muttered under his breath. "I think it's-"

"No" I answered before he could finish his statement.

"But I didn't even-"

"No" I interrupted him again.

"But I-"

"No" I shook my head, still not allowing him to finish his train of thought.

"Would you just listen to me?" Jordie exploded, this time leaving no time for me to interject.

"Fine" I mumbled, waiting for him to continue.

"You shouldn't ask her out"

His words shocked me. I hadn't expected him to say it; but I was happy he did. Maybe he was finally beginning to understand my dilemma. Maybe he was finally going to understand that I did not want to lose her. She just broke up with her boyfriend. I wasn't going to read too far into the reason, either. She's compared me to a brother before; there's no way she felt the same as I.

"What? Dude why not?" Tyler asked before I could shake myself from my thoughts and ask myself.

"You don't want to be a rebound. She just ended things with Derek. They seemed to be going well for them.. I don't want to see you get hurt" his words stung just as much as they helped.

"I'm not going to ask her out" I stated firmly, as much as it killed me to say so. She didn't feel the same way as me; as much as it hurt I had to get over it.

Tonight was not the night for my mind to wander to her; we could make it one step closer to the cup.

good luck tonight- score a goal for me!

Maybe be getting her off my mind would be harder than I thought...

Notes