Chapter 21

GABRIEL

***

"Hey man," I said to Harry as I sat down next to him.

We were on the football pitch, getting ready for practice. I hadn't been officially recruited yet, but I loved the game so much that I didn't want to wait for it to happen. I just wanted to be here, in the field, whether or not I was a member of the team. It had been something I had been passionate about and when things got rocky between my parents and between my Dad and me, it was what kept me sane.

"Hey," he said, tying his shoes.

We had only been friends for a few days so it was still awkward, but I trusted that we would get comfortable with each other over time. I was still pretending, and I still felt guilty about it, but I was not going to back down. I would make all the first moves in the world if it meant Harry would get comfortable with me as a result.

"How's your week so far?" I asked.

"Not bad," he said, but he didn't look like he meant it. I hadn't known him for long but I could tell something was off. Coul