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Tessa and I smile and wave at the camera. Might as well ham it up. Doesn’t matter what we tell them; they are going to talk about us. At least when they talk about Tessa, it’s true. She is the love of Nixon’s life, and I get to take all the credit for matching them. Something I’ll never let Cooper live down. He didn’t want me to get involved, but I could see it in the way they looked at each other the first time they met. Maybe I should make a career out of matchmaking.
“What are you thinking about with the goofy grin plastered on your face?” Tessa asks.
“How I helped you find the love of your life.”
“That you did.” She doesn’t even try to deny it. “When are you going to let me fix you up with someone?”
“Never.” I chuckle. “I just want to focus on school, and we are about to start our last year of college. Why tie myself down now?” What I don’t say is what we both know to be the truth. My heart belongs to my best friend. I know it’s crazy, and that he’s never going to feel that way about me, but it’s my truth. I don’t want a relationship to interfere with my last year with him. When he gets drafted, things are going to change. He’s no longer going to be an everyday presence in my life. There’s plenty of time for my heart to get over him and move on.
“Reese.” She whispers my name as if her heart is breaking for me.
“Your man’s taking the field,” I say to divert the conversation. We both turn to watch as the CU Tigers take the field. Nixon, Cooper, Levi, Trey, Dustin, and Hank lead the pack as they rush out of the tunnel. Nixon and Cooper both look to the stands and give us a casual wave. Of course, we wave back, but that little stunt will do nothing to keep the reporters from asking about who we are to them. Looks like there will be some more explaining after the win. Yes, the win, because the team is on fire, and I know they’re bringing home another title for Central University.“Come on, come on, come on,” I say under my breath. I’m on my feet. Hell, the entire stadium is on their feet. It’s the fourth quarter, and CU is up by three. We have the ball with three minutes left on the play clock. A lot can happen in three minutes.
“Gah!” Tessa grabs my arm and pulls me back and forth. “I can’t take the stress.” She’s smiling as she says it. We’ve been on our feet the entire game. I’ve loved every single minute of it. I love the sport, and to know that my friends, not just Cooper, but all the guys that I’ve grown close to are so near to another victory for not only our school but for themselves, it warms my heart. And it makes me nervous for them. Tessa too, apparently.
“We need a touchdown,” I tell her.
“Damn right we do, and your man is the one that’s going to get it for us.” She points to the field where Hank’s just launched the ball to Cooper. It’s as if I’m watching in slow motion as Cooper jumps up, hands in the air, and the ball lands perfectly in his hands. His feet hit the ground, and he runs. Those long ass legs of his carry him to the end zone.
Touchdown Tigers!
“Yes!” Tessa and I scream at the same time. Her arms fly around my shoulders as we jump up and down and shimmy and shake to the blaring music and the cheers of the crowd that fills the stadium.
The next two and a half minutes, the Tigers hold them off and just like that, after a hard-fought game… hell, a hard-fought season, the Central University Tigers are once again the number one college football team.
“I say we stick around until the crowd dies down,” Tessa suggests.
“Good idea. We’re supposed to meet up with mine and Cooper’s parents at The Hideout. You and Nixon want to join us?”
“Yeah, more than likely. His parents couldn’t make the trip, so that will be nice for him to be able to celebrate as well.”
“You know our parents, you’re all their kids.” I laugh as both mine and Tessa’s names are called out. Looking down at the field, I see Cooper and Nixon smiling at us. Waving us to the end of the bleachers.
“Looks like we’re being summoned.” Tessa grabs my hand and pulls me down the five rows of steps until we reach the wall.
“You’re going to get your fine ass down here and celebrate with your man?” Nixon smiles up at Tessa like she hung the moon.
