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He did the same.

There was something different about it now. Before, his attention had made me defensive.

Tonight, I let him look.

That was new.

My chest hurt. Not badly. The opposite. Sometimes that was worse.

The second half tightened. The other team scored first.

Riot objected to this personally.

Clayton slipped out of what should have been a sack and took off toward the sideline.

The stands came up around us.

Marion screamed his name. Sunshine screamed too.

I screamed because Clayton was running with three very large people trying to kill him. He slid before they got the chance.

Chief reached down from the sideline and hauled him up by one arm.

Clayton said something.

Chief shoved the side of his helmet.

Clayton shoved him back.

An official looked over. Both stopped immediately.

I smiled. Brothers.

A minute later Clayton threw a touchdown.

The stadium detonated. I put my fingers in my ears.

Sadie shouted something at me.

“What?”

She leaned close enough that her earring brushed my hair. “I SAID THIS IS WHY I DON’T BELIEVE IN COMMUNITY.”

I laughed. “WHAT?”

“TOO LOUD.”

That one I heard.

Near the end of the third quarter, Sunshine nudged my knee.

“We’re out of napkins.”

I looked at the chili-covered wreckage beside her. “How?”

She held up her tray.

Fair.