I walked right into that one.
“You know, it’d do you some good to meet a nice girl like that. Help you stay out of trouble, keep you honest,” I tell him, knowing damn well that Alex hates it when I bring up him and dating in the same sentence, but that’s what he gets for calling me dumb.
Jason and Olivia share a kiss before Oliva joins the cheerleaders on the field for their final performance.
“Shut up, dude,” He responds, more defensive than warranted, something clearly getting under his skin, but I don’t think it was me.
I just chuckle and let him be.
Alex doesn’t say another word, shutting down, retreating to his new normal.
“Alright,” I pat his shoulder, standing up. “I’m headed back down. You stay outta trouble.”
He grunts the equivalent of a goodbye.
While I’m shuffling down the steps toward the field, I look back at him, still sitting there, covered by shadows, focused on the crowd like he’s looking for something.
God knows what.
The final whistle blows, with the scoreboard lighting up 34–28.
The Rams stay undefeated.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding while the boys erupt. Helmets flying, pads slapping, whoops echoing under the Friday night lights.
Jason gets hoisted in the air while a few of the guys come for me with a Gatorade cooler, but I shut that down real fast with a single look.
That ain’t freakin’ happening.
I’m shaking hands, getting back claps, answering a million “Coach, did you see that?!” from sweaty teenagers, having the time of my life, so through the crowd of friends and family celebrating on the field, I don’t see her until she’s directly in front of me.
And what a damn good sight it is.
Iris is wearing jeans that flare at the bottom and a Rosehill High tee, not her typical get-up, but still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“You came,” I shout over the noise, smiling like an idiot, but we won. And Iris was watching.
“Thought I should see what all the fuss is about!”
You picked a good one,” I nod toward the scoreboard. “Came close, but we’re still undefeated.”
She smiles, real and bright, and for a second, I forget everything between us. Her rejecting me, the awkwardness.
She came to the game.
That’s gotta mean something.
“You were impressive,” she says, quiet enough that I almost don’t hear her. “The team. You.”
“You think?”
She nods. “I’m glad I came.”
“Me too.”
We’re closer than we’ve ever been when her eyes flick to my mouth. Mine have been on hers for who knows how long.
“Coach! Get over here!” Josh hollers from behind me, pulling us out of whatever that was. I turn my head to look at the team and then back at Iris, who’s much further away than she was a second ago.
