Still, we didn’t seem to be able to move very far, either. Gatbury shut down our running game pretty effectively, and Matt was sacked twice. When he did manage to get off a pass, it always went wide, at one point just missing another interception.
I wasn’t one to give up hope easily—clearly, since I’d been in love with the same boy for nine years before he finally admitted he felt the same way—but I was nearly resigned to the fact that we were going to lose this one. There were thirty-eight seconds left on the clock, and Gatbury had the ball on our twenty-six-yard line. Glumly, I just hoped we could keep them from scoring again.
The Gatbury QB fired off a forward pass toward the end zone, intending it for his favorite receiver, but by some miracle, it was our linebacker there instead. He caught the ball as neatly as if it were intended for him all along, looked down at it like he had no idea how it had gotten there, and then took off down the field.
In one of those inspirational football movies, he would’ve run it all the way back, or at least gotten it across the fifty-yard line. But he didn’t. He got to about our own thirty where he was taken down by Gatbury’s left tackle, a mountain of a guy.
The clock now stood at twenty-four seconds. Our offense, most of whom had assumed the game, if not the season, was over for us, hustled back onto the field and lined up. There wasn’t time for a huddle. The boys were going to have to wing it.
On the first play, Matt tried to run the ball. When he was tackled immediately, I cursed at him as though he could hear me.
“What the fuck, dude? The damn running game hasn’t worked all night. Why the hell would you think it’s good idea now?”
Gia exchanged a glance with the girl sitting next to me. “Simmer down, Quinn. You’re about to bust a vein or something.”
My heart was pounding in excitement. This was football. This was why I loved the game. It was second and nine, but since there were only fourteen seconds on the clock, this was likely the last play, unless Matt threw an incomplete pass or the receiver ran out of bounds. The Eagles fans in the stadium held their collective breath as the ball was snapped, flying into Matt’s hands. He stagger-stepped backwards, and I could feel his tension as his eyes scanned downfield, looking for Leo or Dylan to break free. Finally, in desperation, he drew back his arm and threw one of the most beautiful forward passes I’d ever seen in high school football.
The ball soared through the night sky, spiraling down. Out of nowhere, Leo came barreling across the field, a Gatbury linebacker close on his heels. He leaped into the air and snagged the ball with one hand, tucking it against his chest. With precision that took my breath away, he spun on one foot and took off.
Leo had always been fast, but tonight, he was a gazelle. His legs moved so fast they were almost invisible, but it didn’t matter, because we could all see him step nimbly into the end zone.
The entire stadium erupted into joyful cheers. The place was shaking. I was both laughing and almost crying in relief as I watched the rest of the team descend on Matt and Leo. Brent lifted Leo in a massive hug, spinning him around.
Over the loudspeaker, the announcer pronounced the end of the game, with a final score Eatonboro nine and Gatbury seven.
“Okay. I’m finding it hard to maintain my air of disdainful indifference.” Gia laughed, hugging my arm. “That was pretty incredible. And shit, girl! That was your boyfriend who made that catch.”
“Yeah, I kind of noticed that.” I tugged on my gloves. “I need to get down to the field. I promised Leo.”
“Of course you did.” Gia winked at me. “Hey, give him an extra smooch from me. You know, just as a fan of the game.”
“You got it. See you later!”
It took me a solid ten minutes to push through the milling people in the stand and get to the break in the railing. I managed to side-step a cluster of teachers, avoid the cheerleaders, and make it down the sideline. I caught sight of Leo and began heading his way.
Before I reached him, though, Mr. Ranetti, the announcer, stepped in front of Leo and Matt, holding out a microphone. I couldn’t hear the first couple of questions, but as I drew closer, I managed to pick up the last one.
“Leo, that was one of the most amazing catches this reporter has seen in his thirty years of announcing high school games. Can you tell us what was going through your mind as you made that leap for the ball?”
As though he could sense me, Leo turned his head, locking eyes with me. A slow smile spread over his face.
“Well, sir, honestly, I wasn’t sure I could make that catch. But I figured I needed to try, so what I was thinking was ... go big, or go home.”
Around us, the crowds began to cheer again. Mr. Ranetti patted Leo’s back, apparently congratulating him again. He smiled politely, but the moment the announcer had turned away, Leo took off toward me. He reached me in a few steps, scooped me into his arms and kissed me, holding me against him.
“Mia—babe. Did you see it? God. What a game.”
“You were magnificent.” I slicked back his sweaty hair from his forehead. “That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. Congratulations!”
He slid his hands down to my ass and bent his head over to murmur in my ear. “I have to think that kind of play deserves a treat, right? I mean, I was a very good boy. Again. Two nights in a row.”
I giggled, held his face in mine and kissed his lips. “I’m sure we can figure out something that works for both of us. Maybe pick up where we left off last night.”
Desire flared in Leo’s eyes. “Oh, baby. I like how your mind works.”
