---
Brian's sitting on the bleachers after practice, jersey clinging to his back, hair damp and curls plastered to his forehead.
He looks like every girl's fantasy — sweaty, broad-shouldered, the captain who makes everything look easy.
But up close, Nicky can see it.
His eyes are red around the edges. His knee keeps bouncing. He's gnawing at his bottom lip like he's trying to bite back all the things he's too much of a coward to say.
Nicky stands in front of him, arms crossed. She doesn't bother sitting.
She's done playing the patient best friend.
---
"Hey," Brian mumbles, voice rough. "Didn't think you were still here."
Nicky arches an eyebrow. "Yeah? Well, maybe I stuck around because my best friend's acting like a dick."
Brian winces. He stares at the scuffed court floor, twisting his hands together. "I messed up."
"Understatement of the year." She drops her bag at his feet. "Scott looked like he'd been punched in the face when he left here yesterday. And you know what pisses me off the most? I know you love him."
Brian's head snaps up. "Don't—"
"Don't what? Say it out loud?" Nicky's eyes blaze. "Too bad. You do. But you'd rather tear him apart piece by piece than admit it to anyone."
---
Brian's throat works. He swallows. "You think I don't know that?"
Nicky sits down beside him, knees bumping his. Her voice softens — but only a little.
"You're killing him. And you're killing yourself too."
Brian squeezes his eyes shut. "I can't. If people know— my dad— the team—"
"Your dad will survive," Nicky cuts in. "Your bros will get over it. And you know what? If they don't, they don't deserve you. But Scott? He does. And you're gonna lose him."
Brian rubs his palms over his face. "I don't want to."
"Then stop making him feel like your dirty secret."
---
It's quiet for a second. The squeak of sneakers echoes from the other side of the gym, but they're alone in their little bubble.
Nicky turns to him, voice low but sharp as a knife. "This is the last time I cover for you. Last time I lie to people's faces about how you feel.
So here's what's gonna happen:
You either tell him you're ready to love him for real — all of him, in the light — or you let him go.
No more closets. No more hidden kisses. No more using me as your fake girlfriend so you can hide your own life."
Brian's breath catches. He feels like he's about to choke on the fear sitting in his chest. "I don't know if I can."
Nicky's eyes soften — but they don't back down. "You love him, Brian. That's the part that scares you. Because once it's out, you can't shove it back in.
So be terrified. But be honest.
You're not just breaking Scott's heart — you're breaking your own."
---
She reaches out, squeezing his shaking hand. For a second, they're just kids again — two best friends who promised each other they'd never keep secrets.
Except Brian did. And now it's swallowing him alive.
---
Nicky stands, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "You've got one shot to fix this.
I'm done lying for you. You want him? Go get him. But do it like he deserves."
She walks away — leaving Brian sitting there under the buzzing gym lights, heart thundering, terror wrapping around his ribs.
Because for the first time, he's not afraid of losing his image.
He's afraid of losing Scott.