Page 136 of Kickoff

I was a damn good football player, but also a born leader. If I used my skills on the field in my personal life, perhaps, in the end, everything would work out. I had nothing to risk, nothing to lose. When an opponent tackled you on the field, you took the hit, stood back, dusted yourself off, and came up with a new playbook. I decided to use the same strategy in my personal life.

If Jayden Clarke was who Melinda needed right now, then so be it. Perhaps the guy could help her see what we all failed at. Who knew, right? I wouldn’t fight him over her. That would just alienate her further if I did. Maybe he was just a dick on the field and not so much otherwise and really cared for her wellbeing.

As Mom said, if now wasn’t our time, it didn’t mean later wouldn’t be. We would be spending four years together at Crestwood University. A new chapter for both of us. Once Melinda was healed, I would sweep her off her feet like my brother suggested earlier and show her we were still it. She just needed time to realize that I wasn’t about to forfeit the match because she had pushed me away for my supposedly own good.

Perhaps if she missed me enough and saw she didn’t share the same chemistry with other guys as we did, she would come to her senses and realize I was the one. Eventually.

I had no intention of following her advice and moving on. Not unless I had the certainty we were over—for good and forever. Who knew what the next few months had in store, right?

For now, my only option was to set her free like she asked. I wrote it down on the blank page. Even though it tore my heart to shreds to think she was with somebody else, I locked down the uneasiness infiltrating every molecule of my being. This new plan sounded like the smartest thing I could come up with. I would stand out of her way and see how it all played out. What other choice did I have anyway?

Step one: set her free + wait

Once in college, I would revise my strategy because Mason Pierce two-point-zero would show Melinda Shepard what she was missing. Yeah, that sounded like a solid plan. I could do that. Prove to her I was the real deal. And she could trust me and lean on me when it became too much for her to deal with her shit all by herself. I rubbed my palms together, newfound energy coursing through me. It felt like I was about to enter the field to play an important game.

Step two: See how things evolve between us when in CWU

(Note: check first if still dating Clarke)

The sadness infiltrating my heart faded a little as my plan took form.

Step three: to be revised once step two is underway

Step four: get the girl

I watched the trophy I had set on my nightstand for a long moment. She cared. It was all that mattered.

After I put down my notepad, I turned off the lamp and lay back on my bed.

Shifting to my side, I chased sleep. I needed my brain to go on a break or else I would turn my strategy over in my head all night, and I really needed to evade reality for a few hours.

My mind wandered, and I pictured myself on the football field at Crestwood U, aiming the perfect kickoff. Soon it wasn’t the ball I saw, but Melinda standing in front of me, her smile blinding. Maybe I could aim that perfect kickoff both on and off the field. It would prove to her I wasn’t bluffing all along and that I was the only choice. Yes, I would steal her heart. Forever.

I just hoped it went down according to plan.

My eyelids weighed heavier. My heartbeat decreased its rhythm.

I was Mason Pierce, and losing wasn’t part of my vocabulary.

No, I always played for keeps.

Sleep claimed me, and hope replaced my tears.

35

Like I’m that girl

Melinda

Elk River High - Freshman year

It was the first training of the year. The sixteen of us were gathered in a circle, dressed only in navy-blue swimsuits, the coaching staff front and center wearing matching white polo shirts with the school logo sewn on the pocket. I hated this moment. When we were all standing next to one another half-naked, while coaches went over the schedule, their roles, and any other information they considered useful. Eyes roamed over swimsuit-clad figures, assessing the competition. Being naked wouldn’t have been any more revealing for me.

Once we were in the water, this wouldn’t matter anymore, but as long as we were standing there like statues, it made me feel self-conscious. I knew only six of my teammates because we’d swum together in middle school. Everyone else was new to me.

A guy opposite me gave my body a full once-over and winked in my direction. I felt my cheeks warming up. Then he did the same to a girl on my left. Pervert.

Another boy nudged the one next to him, and they stared at me until I was sure my face was flushed.