Chapter 125

The crowd’s roar was still echoing through the gym when Megan broke away from her teammates and jogged toward the stands, her jersey sticking to her skin with sweat, her grin wide and unstoppable.

“There you are!” she beamed, pulling Abigail into a quick hug before leaning down toward Emma. “I saw you cheering! You two were loud—I loved it.”

Emma laughed, her cheeks glowing. “You killed it out there. That steal and layup? Highlight of the night.”

Megan laughed, hands on her hips as she caught her breath. “Had to put on a show for my favorite neighbors.” She winked, then turned as another familiar voice cut through the noise.

“I didn’t know you guys were here!”

They looked up to see Ashley, making her way down the bleachers, her smile bright as she waved. She was dressed casually in dark jeans and a fitted black top, her hair tucked behind her ears.

Emma smiled, tugging Abigail’s hand as she leaned forward. “Hey! Surprise.”

Ashley slipped into the row beside them, brushing Megan’s arm as she joined the group. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing your cheer squad tonight,” she teased Megan.

Megan smirked, tossing her towel over her shoulder. “Guess I wanted it to be a surprise.”

Ashley glanced at Emma, her gaze softening. “And look at you—glowing as always. How’re you feeling?”

Emma rubbed her stomach absently, smiling. “Good. Better than yesterday, for sure. Tonight was exactly what I needed.”

Abigail leaned into her, kissing the top of her head. “Glad we came.”

As the last of the crowd filtered out of the gym, Megan waved them toward the exit. “Come on. I’m starving, and I know just the spot.”

Ashley slipped her arm through Megan’s as they walked, her other hand waving for Abigail and Emma to follow. “She says that every time. Win or lose, food is always the first stop.”

“Hey,” Megan protested with a grin, “basketball burns calories. Don’t judge me.”

Emma laughed, leaning into Abigail as they crossed campus together. The night air was cool and crisp, the streetlights glowing against the sidewalks. They walked a few blocks before Megan pointed at a familiar neon sign buzzing faintly above a little diner tucked on the corner.

Inside, the place smelled like sizzling burgers, fresh coffee, and warm pie. The booths were lined in red leather, the jukebox humming low in the background. A couple of students still in Columbia gear sat at the counter, chatting with the waitress.

They slid into a booth—Megan and Ashley on one side, Abigail and Emma on the other. The table was a little tight, but it only made them sit closer, knees brushing and arms leaning across.

The waitress appeared with menus, though Megan waved her off with a grin. “I already know. Double cheeseburger, fries, and a chocolate shake.”

Ashley smirked and added, “Wings for me. Extra spicy.”

Abigail skimmed the menu, settling on a grilled chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries. When the waitress turned to Emma, she gave a small, sheepish smile. “Fries, mozzarella sticks, a slice of apple pie… and a vanilla milkshake, please.”

Abigail rubbed her leg under the table, amused. “You’re really spoiling yourself tonight, huh?”

Emma patted her stomach. “Correction—we’re spoiling the baby.”

Ashley chuckled. “Smart kid already.”

When the food came, the table filled with baskets of fries, plates of wings, burgers stacked high, and little bowls of dipping sauce. Megan didn’t waste a second, biting into her burger like she hadn’t eaten in days.

“Basketball burns calories, remember?” Ashley teased, wiping a smudge of sauce from Megan’s cheek.

Emma laughed so hard she had to set down her fry, leaning into Abigail’s shoulder. “You two are hilarious.”

Megan leaned back, her eyes bright with the afterglow of the game. “Honestly though, thanks for coming tonight. Seeing you both there meant more than you know.”

Abigail nudged her foot under the table. “You were incredible out there. That steal into the layup? Emma almost jumped out of her seat.”

Emma covered her face, laughing. “I did not!”

“You did,” Abigail teased, kissing the side of her head.

Ashley leaned forward, her chin resting on her hand as she looked at Emma and Abigail. “You two… it’s really something. The way you look at each other. It’s like the whole room disappears.”

Emma’s cheeks flushed, and she reached across the table to squeeze Ashley’s hand. “That’s because it’s real. And you two feel like family. Always.”

Megan raised her milkshake with a grin. “To family, victories, and late-night food.”

They all lifted their glasses—waters, shakes, sodas—and clinked them together, laughter spilling over the booth. The conversation flowed easily, stretching into stories from class, Megan recounting funny moments from practice, and Ashley joking about how she could never play basketball because she’d trip over her own shoelaces.

By the time they finished, the table was scattered with empty plates and half-drained glasses, their stomachs full and their spirits even fuller.

Ashley leaned back with a satisfied sigh. “I don’t think I can move.”

Emma rubbed her stomach and groaned playfully. “Same. But that pie was worth it.”

Abigail slipped her arm around her shoulder, kissing the top of her hair. “Definitely worth it.”