Page 32 of The Game We Played

“It is not.”

“Shh.”

Coach Knox blows his whistle. “Break’s over. Let’s go! Back on the field!”

Gage grabs his helmet and jams it onto his head without thinking. There’s a pause and—

“Why is it wet?”

I bite the inside of my cheek. Nolan turns away, shoulders shaking. Brock appears to be reconsidering his life choices.

Corbin bursts out laughing. “Did you sweat that much already?”

Gage rips the helmet off and stares inside it. “Are you kidding me?”

I flutter my lashes. “Why are you asking me?”

“Because you’re the one person stupid enough to pour water into my helmet.”

“I prefer to think of it as… climate control.”

“You’re dead.”

He charges. And I sprint across the field. “Worth it!” I shoutover my shoulder.

“Long!” Coach roars. “Get back here!”

I slow to a jog, my grin firmly in place, and fall back into line.

Coach glares at me. “You think this is funny?”

I straighten and wipe the grin off my face. Pranks are all well and good off the field, but when it’s time to be serious, I’m serious. No matter what anyone else thinks. I am not a goofball on the field.

“No, Coach.”

He studies me for a second before jerking his chin. “Stop laughing and run it again.”

“Yes, Coach.”

I line up. The joking is gone. The field snaps back into focus. Ball. Route. Timing.

Everything else can wait. Alaia and her lips I’m dying to taste. Belinda and whatever PR stunt she has planned for me next. Sam and his threats to drop me. My family and how they belittle me and my choices.

None of it matters when I’m on the field.

Chapter 11

BREAKING: SAMMY THE SEAL BLOCKS RESORT ENTRANCE Romance continues anyway

Alaia

“Hi!” I greet Tanner. “Why are you jumping up and down? Do you need to go pee?” I motion toward the hallway. “The bathroom is the first room on the left.”

“I don’t need to pee. I’m excited.”

My brow furrows. “Excited? This isn’t real, Tanner.”

I don’t know who I’m reminding. Him or me? Probably me.