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The Pill. A prescription was needed, so she did what she believed was right even considering her parents’ traditional views. With only two weeks until Bryce would leave for summer training at the University of Texas, she asked her mother to accompany her to the doctor’s office. She believed Claudia would consent. After all, this was Bryce, and Claudia loved him, too.

Claudia staunchly refused to consent to birth control pills, saying Enzo would be horrified at this decision. She couldn’t go against his wishes. Unfortunately for Rosalie, the family doctor wouldn’t prescribe the pills otherwise. Coming up with a backup plan to try an out-of-area clinic on her own, Rosalie drove to Valdosta, thirty miles away. Once again the prescription was denied.

But Rosalie had promised Bryce that she would be on the Pill in time for the special night he’d planned when his parents were going to be out of town. So she went to the Benton home with only a flimsily wrapped foil package she’d discovered in the back of Ricky’s nightstand drawer.

And then she didn’t even offer the condom to Bryce. Too embarrassed at failing to get the pills. Too in love for the first time in her life. Too caught up in the passion of a moment that promised to fulfill all her preconceived notions about love and sex. Later, Rosalie wondered why she’d let those reasons lead her into having unprotected sex and trusting in the most fickle of outcomes.

Even then, everything might have worked out if only that football hadn’t rocketed from Bryce’s hand into Ricky’s temple the very next day. If only Ricky hadn’t died minutes later. Less than twenty-four hours after making love with Bryce, Rosalie lost her brother. The fear and hatred of football, which she’d experienced ever since that day, took root in her soul. And she knew her love for Bryce Benton would be forever tarnished.

“Hi, Mom. Sorry I’m late.”

Danny hopped in the car and Rosalie switched mental gears to be a mother again. “No problem,” she said and started the car.

Danny slanted a gaze at her. “I think I’ve made a decision today,” he said.

“Oh? What’s that?”

She was heading out of the parking lot when Danny responded, and she very nearly ran into the majestic old oak tree that had recently shaded Bryce’s truck.

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