"Hey, after dinner, I was hoping we could slip away for a little while. I haven't gotten any alone time with you in a few days and there's something I want to talk to you about." Tyler leans down, sneaking a quick peck to my cheek while we're grabbing drinks from the kitchen and no one is looking.

"Um sure. Do I need to be worried?" I study Tyler's crystal clear blue eyes for any hints of what he's referring to.

"Nah, it's uh, well it's....I'll just explain more later. I don't want to say too much right now, but it is some news I want you to hear from me first." Tyler gives my arm a reassuring squeeze as we walk back into the dining room.

I take a deep breath in and try to steady my nerves. In the back of my head I can't stop wondering what it is Tyler needs to discuss with me.

"Everything looks great mom, you too Mrs. Daniels. Thanks for making all this food." Tyler announces to the table as he takes his place next to me. We're the last ones to get seated for dinner. For such a large dining room it sure looks small with both our families and all this food crammed together in here.

"A toast to Trista and Kristy for all their hard work making this meal for us all!" Mr. Johnson raises his glass and we each do the same.

"We're happy to do it. The best part of Thanksgiving is getting to spend it with family and new friends who have become like family." Mrs. Johnson warmly adds to the toast.

"And cheers to the new tradition of always kicking Tyler's butt in Thanksgiving day football!" Charlie gloats with his biggest arrogant smile. Everyone begins to clink glasses laughing.

Poor Tyler, he really didn't have much of a chance. Everyone's been giving him grief about losing the game. Between him accidentally giving us our first touch down when he carried me into the end zone, to my trick play on him and then Tuck and Charlie double teaming him the rest of the game. My team ended up winning four TD's to their one before our mom's made us stop so we could get cleaned up for dinner. Tyler being the competitor that he is, I know he's dying inside, but he's being a good sport about it anyway.

"That's right, keep it coming. I can take it. But you Daniels' better watch out next year. I'll be better prepared to take on you cheaters, especially this one. You're the worst offender." Tyler looks at me with a glimmer in his eye.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I shrug, trying to hide my smile.

"Speaking of football, Tyler, would you care to share with everyone your big news?" Mrs. Johnson asks her son excitedly.

Tyler suddenly looks a little panicked.

"Um, now's not a good time, mom." Tyler is trying to discreetly get his mom to change the subject but it isn't working.

"Why not honey? It's exciting! I'm sure everyone would love to hear."

"Hear what? Now you have to tell us, we're all in suspense." Payton says leaning in to her brother with anticipation. Clearly she hasn't heard whatever the news is they are referring to either. The fact he doesn't want to share only makes her more curious.

Tyler turns his glare onto his sister. "Payton, I said now isn't a great time." He says through gritted teeth.

"Oh quit being modest, son. I'll tell everyone since you apparently have gone shy for whatever reason. Tyler got called up by the University of Florida to play as their starting quarterback next season! He's going to be a Gator!"

Everyone around the table starts cheering and congratulating Tyler. I pause, a little in shock, realizing this must be the news Tyler was saying he needed to talk to me about a few minutes ago.

"Tyler, that's incredible. I'm so happy for you!" I squeeze his hand when I come back to reality.

Tyler looks back at me with unsure eyes. "Nothings official yet. I haven't said yes, I didn't want you to find out like this." He whispers to me quickly as everyone else is still chattering away in their excitement.

"Babe, don't stress. We'll talk more later. For now, just know how proud of you I am." I whisper back.

"Congrats man, that's great news. You know, Gainesville isn't too far from where I'm at. If this internship I've got now goes the way I think it will, I could be working permanently in Florida. I could probably catch some of your games next year." Charlie says.

"Yeah, maybe. Nothing is official yet, I haven't told them yes yet.....but that would be really cool." Tyler gives Charlie a half smile.

"Being a starting QB for a D1 school like Florida as a freshman is unheard of. That's sick dude." Tuck gives Tyler a high five across the table. Tuck could have gone on to play for a D1 college this Fall since a lot of schools were after him last year but he decided on going into trade school instead.

"Yeah, how the heck did you manage that? You're one lucky dude." Lucas asks.

"Um. Well I guess it's just good timing. Their starting quarterback from this season is about to graduate. The guy they had under him tore his ACL recently and is having surgery. He won't be able to play by next season. Most other incoming QB's are already signed or committed somewhere else. So I guess I just got lucky." Tyler explains.

"It's not all luck Tyler, you are one of the best high school quarterbacks in the nation! Florida is lucky to have you." Mr. Johnson boasts.

I can tell Tyler's uncomfortable right now. He's clearly unsure about something and I hope it's not because he's worried about my feelings. He doesn't need to feel guilty about this. How could I be mad at him over this? It's everything he's worked so hard for. Especially after the whole Tanner crap went down and we weren't sure if this day would ever come. It wasn't too long ago that all the offers he thought he'd be getting from his top schools all disappeared. I'd be lying if I said I didn't still feel partly to blame for keeping Tyler's college football dreams from coming true. Even if this dream coming true means my boyfriend has to move all the way to Florida. I can't allow myself to be selfish or get upset about the fact we wouldn't get to see each other much. This opportunity is too great for Tyler and I know that.

"Well we're so happy for you Tyler, no matter what you decide." My mom says with a gentle, knowing smile.

"Thanks. Alright enough talk about me. Someone talk about something else."

****

"Wow. I can't believe I'm dating a D1 college quarterback. I feel like I need to ask you for your autograph or something. That way I can sell it on eBay once you get famous." I tease now that we're alone.

"Stop it. You're ridiculous." Tyler wraps his arm around my waist, kissing the top of my head when he pulls me in closer to him.

After we sufficiently stuffed ourselves with more food than was necessary, we got permission to leave the rest of our families for a bit. My mom is intuitive enough to know we had some things we needed to discuss without everyone else listening in or giving their opinions on.

Now we're sitting wrapped up in blankets at our secret spot. Looking up at the night sky from the balcony of the abandoned house. Here the world feels quiet and like it's just us. Tyler is right, it's the best place to come and think.

"Listen Lila, in all seriousness, I feel so bad for you finding out like that. I promise I wasn't trying to keep it from you. I would never have chosen to tell you the news in front of all our family if I'd had my way."

"Babe, it's ok. I promise I'm not mad. It isn't your fault either. But now that I know, you have to fill me in on all the details. When did you get the call? I want to hear it all." I reassure him.

Tyler sighs "Your birthday."

"You've known since my birthday! How did you manage to keep this quiet all week?! I would have been bursting at the seams, shouting it from the rooftops! How are you being so calm about this?!" I ask in surprise.

"I know, I know, and I am excited, I swear." Tyler fiddles with the blanket seam "It's just I wanted to talk to you about it the right way and not just dump the news on you, but I could never seem to find the right time. It's not a conversation I wanted to rush through either, I know this is a lot to process. It didn't feel right telling you on your birthday because the day was supposed to be about celebrating you. Plus your brothers unexpectedly being here has meant I've been trying to let you spend some time with them since you haven't seen them in months...."

"You're always so thoughtful, I completely understand why you waited." I clear my throat and grab Tyler's hand before I continue. "But I hope you weren't also nervous to tell me because you were thinking I would get upset at you and not want you to go? Of course I'm a little shocked, and Florida isn't necessarily around the corner.... But babe, this sounds like an opportunity of a lifetime. You know I would never tell you not to go because of me, right?"

"No, of course not. Actually I knew you would probably react similar to this. You're always putting others needs before your own and I knew you would be excited for me. But it doesn't mean I'm not still torn about my decision. On the one hand I can't even believe this is happening. I mean, this is crazy! None of the schools I had been hoping to get into were offering me anything even close to this good of a spot for next year. I would have been redshirted or second string at best my first two years most likely. But it's not just that. You're my person, Lila. I don't think you realize how important you are to me or how as soon as I got the call last week the first person I wanted to tell was you. This is the biggest news I've ever gotten in my life so not being able to talk with you about this all week has been killing me. You make everything better for me."

Tyler's eyes are a deep shade of blue in the glow of the lantern. I can tell he's still wrestling with himself and holding something back.

"Tyler, you're my person too. I don't think I can adequately say how much you have made my life better. And as much as I wish I could be selfish and tell you to stay here so I can keep you near me next year, I couldn't do that to you. This decision is yours to make. If you're looking for some kind of blessing from me about going, of course you have it, if it's what you want. Trying to date long distance won't be easy I'm sure, but there is no one else I would rather try to make it work with. I mean, as long as you are still wanting to be with me that is. I understand if you're not looking for—"

"Stop it right there! Don't even think about completing that sentence. Of course I want to be with you next year. No matter if I stay here in Michigan or go to college on the moon, I always want to be with you, Lila." Tyler kisses me to erase any doubt or fear from my mind. "There is one more thing though that I haven't told you yet." Tyler looks nervously at me as he pulls away.

"What is it?" My question is hesitant.

"Since I'd be their starting QB they want me there as soon as possible so I can start working with their offense and learning their plays. I know it seems like a long ways off before the fall season starts but most QB's are with a program training for years before they are in the position I'm in. I'm behind already."

"So what are you saying? You'd be leaving right after graduation in June or something?"

"Actually, sooner. They can get me in for early admission starting the winter term. I'd be moving in January 3rd after the student's winter break is over."

Woah. Back up! In just over a month?! I wasn't expecting that. I thought we'd at least have until the end of the school year or maybe if I was lucky some of the summer to spend together. My mind starts spiraling as my heart races.

"I know, it's soon. I know we haven't gotten hardly any time to be an official couple. But it's such a crazy opportunity, which is why I'm so torn." Tyler says with pleading in his voice.

I take a few deep breaths trying to process. "When do you have to let Florida know by?"

"Monday. If I say no they start back at square one which doesn't give them a lot of time." Tyler is rubbing my arm back and forth. Trying to console me while I take in this new information.

"What about school? Graduation? You can just leave halfway through your senior year?!" I have so many questions.

"My parents called Principle Ford after we talked to the Florida coach. I technically have already completed enough credits to graduate so if I wanted to go, I could."

"I see....and what do you want to do?" My voice is shaky. I'm trying incredibly hard to keep my flooding emotions in check so I don't persuade Tyler's decision either way.

Tyler thinks about it for a second before he answers.

"I want to be here with you. I want to take you on dates and ask you to my senior prom. I want to graduate with Mason and all the rest of my friends and overall have the best senior year I can imagine...." Tyler lets out a deep sigh. "...But deep down, I think I really do want to take this spot at University of Florida. I mean, when I picture myself out on the field in front of 80,000 screaming fans......" Tyler trails off.

"You can see yourself there." I answer for him.

"Yeah, I really can." Tyler barely whispers out.

"Well it sounds to me like you know your decision then." I smile, holding back the tears that want to come.

Of course my heart is crumbling inside knowing my boyfriend will be moving over a thousand miles away from me so soon, but at the same time I couldn't be more proud of him. Tyler deserves this more than anyone else I know. I get the feeling this is the way things were always meant to work out. In some weird way, the fight with Tanner that got him suspended from football, and that I worried ended his college football career before it ever started, ended up being the best thing for him. Life's funny like that I guess. Sigh.

😳😃