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Jace catches my eye from the sideline. I don't see anger on his face. I see…jealousy? No, that can’t be right. He’s just pissed I’m wearing Asher’s number. He all but ignored me this week. And Britney has still been trying to mess with me in her PG, friendly-mean-girl way. It’s sad but enjoyable to watch.
I wave at Jace as he walks onto the field. I watch him put his mouth guard in as he turns to me, calling out the next play. The center snaps him the ball and Jace passes it down the field to Hunter, who catches it. I start jumping and screaming. It’s an amazing throw by Jace, but Hunter is amazing too. I didn’t know what to expect when I saw them play, but they are unreal together.
Hunter is sacked almost as soon as he catches the ball, and they set up the play again. I can’t sit down. My throat is hoarse from screaming. The score is twenty-one to twenty-eight, and we need this touchdown and a two-point conversion to win. This is such a close game, my nails are digging into my palms. Even Madison has started cheering for the Rebels. The crowd around us has turned her into one of us. I laugh because she doesn’t really know what’s going on, but I love her newfound passion for football.
Hunter sprints down the field toward the end zone. The way he moves is magnificent, dodging the Kings’ defense and twirling as he looks back to Jace.
But the pass to Hunter is fake. My eyes have been so focused on Hunter that I miss Jace passing the ball off to Roman, who is now barreling at full speed down to the end zone. I’m jumping up and down with the rest of the crowd. Holy shit, he’s going to make it. We are going to score a touchdown.
At the last moment, a Lakeview player tackles Roman. But it’s too late. Touchdown. The crowd erupts into cheers.
“Holy shit, Mila,” Madison shrieks. “Look at the score.”
I look over to the score board, already knowing what it will show. With less than a minute left, the Rebels need those two points to win.
My heart is pounding as the ball is snapped to Jace and he spins, looking for an open player. He dodges King players and darts around. Roman is open, and Jace throws to him. I hold my breath as a King tackles him. Roman holds his hand out with the ball as he goes down. But I can see from here he didn’t make it. The refs give the no signal, and the crowd’s mood changes instantly.
“Fuck, so fucking close,” I mutter to myself. The Kings are good. But if our defense had tightened up more, we could have won this.
The Kings take a knee and that’s it, first game of the season over.
As we leave the stands, Madison smiles and grabs my arm. “It was such a good game. I didn’t really like football, but now I get the appeal.” She wiggles her brows at me, and I chuckle.
I swing my arm around her shoulder as the crowd starts to move forward. I don’t want to lose her. “Hey…it’s not about the hot guys.” She tilts her head at me, and I shrug. “Okay, maybe a little.”
I’m sad for the Rebels, but I’m happy for Dad and Asher. First win of the season. They’re going to be on cloud nine when we see them.
Imeet Dad, Kate, and Asher out by the car. They are coming back with us. Dad has a huge grin, and Asher is talking to a few cheerleaders, who giggle and bounce at his every word. He looks over at me and winks. I roll my eyes at him but grin. He just chuckles and goes back to talking to them.
“Dad.” I hug him and pull back. “The team was amazing. All the work you’ve done with them has paid off.”
He kisses my head and chuckles deeply. “Ah, they were great before I started there, but thanks for the confidence boost, Mila.”
“Where’s my favorite girl?” Asher calls out as he approaches me, his arms wide open to hug me.
I shove him, and he stumbles back, laughing. “You were amazing, Asher. But I’m not hugging you in public.” I get closer to him, bringing him in as if I’m going to whisper something. “People might think I know you or something.” I yell as I pull back and give him a disgusted face.
He laughs and dusts off his shoulders then poses like a body builder. “As if you’re that special to know me.” Clearly, those two touchdowns he scored have gone to his head. But I love it.
Then he becomes more serious. “Thanks, Mila. I could hear you cheering me, and you too, Madison. Does that mean you two will be at all my games?” His grin is contagious as he raises his brows.
Madison shrugs, and I follow suit.
Seeing Asher’s gaze on something behind us, I turn to see what he’s looking at. Hunter, Jace, Roman, and Grady are watching us. I look back to Dad and Kate, and they’re holding hands, kissing, and appearing very much like the couple they are. I wonder if the boys can see what a stupid mistake they made in assuming I’ve been fucking Asher.
“Grady was out for blood today,” Asher says. “And he isn’t even one of your boys. I’ll be feeling it once the adrenaline wears off.”
I shake my head at him. “I told you this wasn’t a good idea. Plus, Grady…he’s kinda my friend. He’s been driving me to school all week, so I think he might be mad at me now.”
I didn’t think about that when I put this jersey on. But if I have to catch the bus, it’ll be worth it. The looks on the guys’ faces are priceless.
“Let’s go, sis. There’s a Lakeview party calling our name.”
Dad kisses his girlfriend before opening the passenger door for her. I sit in the back of Kate’s white BMW SUV next to Madison, but my eyes are drawn to where I last saw the boys. They’re gone.
Probably off to a Ridgecrest party…or to drown their sorrows. They lost by one point. If I was them—or with them—that’s what I’d be doing.
