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I laugh, but only because after the extra point, we’re tied, and Weston might not deserve this any more than the Falls, but they’ll appreciate it more.
The stadium fills with thunder as the crowd pounds their feet.
I rise up next to Kade, watching my team celebrate and memorizing the image for the years to come. I don’t need to fucking beat Kade. I don’t know what the hell I’ve been thinking, but this feels a hell of a lot better than some validation from him that was never going to come no matter how many games I win.
“You pushed the ball out of my hands!” he growls.
I cock an eyebrow. I didn’t touch his hands.
I walk away, but he shoves me to the ground, and before I know it, he’s on top of me, I’m laughing, and the referee is blowing his whistle as the teams run in to join in the fun.
“Ah, shit.” I wince, peeling off my jersey, pads, and undershirt.
The locker room practically vibrates, excited chatter, laughter, and energy bouncing off the walls as people rush around and celebrate.
We won. By one touchdown.
And while the Falls will spin some narrative over bad calls or something, we wouldn’t have wanted to earn it easily. I’m glad it was close.
“You sure you didn’t break a rib?” Farrow asks.
“No, I’m not sure, actually.”
It was worth it, though. Every family in Weston will be smiling this weekend, even the ones who don’t give a shit about football.
“Everyone smile!” Calvin shouts.
I look over, players crowding together as Farrow hangs over my shoulder and cups a hand around his mouth, howling. I grin, Calvin snapping a picture.
Everyone moves away, and I lift my arm, checking my ribs for bruising. It fucking hurts.
But still, I’d scoop up my Pirate girl and let her wrap her legs around my battered body if she were outside waiting right now.
She skipped the game, because she knew what I didn’t. She knew what my mom knew. There’s no victory in doing anything for the wrong reasons.
I did it for my friends.
Coach Dewitt comes in, carrying the game ball, guys crowding around.
“You won!” he calls out, followed by a round of cheers as people bang on their lockers. “I couldn’t be prouder, and you know what got you here? Not luck, not muscle, and not even hard work!” He looks around, meeting everyone’s eyes. “Willpower. You are capable of everything, andneverforget that!”
“Whoo! Whoo!” the guys shout.
“You will get distracted in life,” he goes on, “and you will make mistakes, but you can always come back to this moment and remember it wasyouthat got you here.”
I drop my eyes. I know the words aren’t for me. He’s not worried about me.
“Game ball goes to Hunter Caruthers,” he shouts.
He moves in, holding out the ball as someone grabs my shoulders from behind and shakes me in congratulations.
I smile, taking it and absolutely wanting to keep it, but…
It wouldn’t be right to take it with me when I go.
“Thanks,” I say to everyone. “Especially for not beating the Knight and Pirate secrets out of me at practice.”
They laugh, someone yelling. “We’re gonna beat the Knights fair and square too!”
