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Scarlett looked at her parents a few rows ahead of us in the stands. “Ew. Yeah. Too happy if you ask me.”

I laughed. Uncle James and Aunt Penny had started making out like they were high schoolers. I wanted what they had. What my parents had. What my other aunts and uncles had. And what Scarlett and Axel had.

“I think it’s worth the risk,” I said.

“I hope so.”

“I know so.” But I realized she was staring down at Mr. Halifax. And I wondered if she was hoping it was worth the risk for him too. I swallowed hard.

I’d been so focused on getting him to notice me. I hadn’t really thought much about once I achieved my goal. But it would be fun to sneak around. We’d figure it out.

“Do you think he’s here?” Scarlett asked.

I didn’t need to ask who she was referring to. My mystery man. “I have no idea.”

“Did he message you?”

I pulled out my phone and tossed it at her. “Knock yourself out.”

She laughed and swiped her finger on my screen. But her laughter caught in her throat.

“What?” I asked.

“He’s definitely here.” She showed me the screen.

My mystery man had written: “Is Jacob Miller really your boy? Because I was under the impression that I was.”

I laughed. I guess I had yelled that pretty loudly. I grabbed my phone and wrote back: “That’s none of your business. Stop stalking me.”

“I didn’t come to the game for you. But watching you is certainly an added bonus.”

I frowned. “Then what the hell is he doing here?” I asked Scarlett. “Is he from Bernstein Prep? Now I really hate him.”

Scarlett shook her head. “If he’s from Bernstein Prep, why was he at the last game too?”

“He could have been spying or something. Maybe he’s on their team.”

“Possibly.” The teams were starting to come back on the field now. “I haven’t seen any of them with their helmets off though. But I also don’t see anyone with a phone.”

“Well, we know he’s a sneaky bastard.”

Scarlett laughed and kept staring at the field. “It is really hard to see their faces through their facemasks.”

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t care if he’s here or not. It doesn’t matter.”

“It matters if he’s going to kidnap you.”

“Then stay close.” I bumped my shoulder against hers. I didn’t want to think about my mystery man right now. I wanted to focus on everything but him. The stadium lights. The smell of freshly cut grass and fall leaves. The chill that had seeped into my bones as it grew even darker. Yeah, I was really going to miss these nights.

***

Every time we scored, Bernstein Prep scored too. Our defense had totally lost the plot.

But the ball was back in Axel’s hands now. And just like at the end of the first half, there were only a few seconds left.

Axel took a few steps back, scanning the field.

I grabbed Scarlett’s arm. “RJ is open. RJ is open! Doesn’t he see him?”