Lyla's POV
Declan didn't say another word. He just stood there in the parking lot, staring off into the distance like he could somehow outrun the bad news if he refused to look it in the eye. His shoulders were tense, jaw locked tight, the kind of posture I'd seen in so many patients right before reality fully hit them. That frozen moment when acceptance still felt too heavy to carry.
"I'll drive myself home," he said finally, his voice flat and rough around the edges.
Coach shook his head right away. "No."
"I'm not asking for permission," Declan shot back.
"And I'm not giving you a choice here," Coach replied, standing firm with his arms crossed.
Declan let out a short, bitter laugh under his breath. "I've had enough people making choices for me today. Feels like everyone's got an o
