“Cali’s looking strong,” Landon says, leaning in to nudge me with his shoulder.
I nudge him back without taking my eyes off the field. “It’s not even close to being over.”
Both teams score in the remainder of the quarter, and New York closes the gap. It’s a tied game going into half-time.
I rub my palms together. “Tied-up, baby. This is getting good.”
Landon laughs before he leans in and steals a kiss. “I love when you get competitive.”
“You bring it out in me. I think?—”
“Ladies and gentleman,” the stadium announcer says. “Please bring your attention to the Jumbotron and join me in celebrating some special people with us tonight.”
Landon and I pause our conversation as we look up at the giant screen. The cameraman zooms in on an elderly man sitting in the audience. “Army Veteran Parker Jones, from Buffalo, New York, has served our country for over twenty years.”
We clap as the crowd cheers, and Parker waves.
The camera pans to a young boy. “Colby Brentwood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, turns six today.”
Colby jumps up and down, cheering for himself along with the crowd.
The camera pans to the next person, and then I’m staring at myself.
Me.
It’s me.
On the Jumbotron.
My eyes widen as I turn to look at Landon.
He’s grinning like a madman.
“Ainsley Morgan from Breakwater, New Jersey,” the announcer says. “She was the first ever female to play on the boys’ lacrosse team in her high school in 2008.”
The crowd goes wild, and Beyonce’sRun the Worldblares through the loudspeaker.
Heat rushes into my face as I lift a meek hand and wave.
Landon holds up his phone, snapping pictures and no doubt sending them to Ivori and Evan.
I smile as I speak to Landon through gritted teeth. “I’m going to kill you.”
“Not in front of all these people.” He leans in and smacks a kiss to my cheek.
Once the camera is off me, I jab him in the leg.
He laughs, clutching his leg. “I just wanted you to be recognized, baby. Let me be a proud boyfriend.”
I glare, but there’s no malice behind my eyes. “You’re about to be adeadboyfriend.”
Landon puffs out his chest. “But I’m still your boyfriend.”
Oh.
“Are you?” I ask. “My boyfriend?”
“If you’d like me to be, then I’d be very much interested in being your boyfriend.”
