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The gridiron is almost sacred to me. I love the adrenaline rush I get when I’m on the field. I get a high from the pressure and the nervous energy that comes with trying to complete a play before I get tackled by the opposing side. The excitement that shoots through my body when I lead my team to victory is incredible. The only thing that’s ever felt better is being with Paige.
I can hear the opposing team muttering insults and swearing, typical behavior on the field. I hear #87 on the opposing team mumble some stupid “your momma” insult. The tension between the teams is almost palpable.
The Westside Sharks are our biggest rivals. We beat them every year, but it’s been getting closer and closer each time. They’ve got the best talent they’ve ever had, and they’re definitely giving us a run for our money.
My mind zeroes in on the play; everything disappears around me except for the players on the field and the football that’s ready and waiting. O’Connor snaps the ball to me, and I look around for my receivers. I can see a Sharks player come barreling towards me. None of my guys are open, but I don’t want to lose yardage, and I’m really sick of getting sacked every other minute. Looking around and not seeing any other option, I chuck the ball wide towards nothing.
It’s a dangerous move. The ref could call intentional grounding, but it’s all I can think of in that moment. Luckily, the ref doesn’t call it. My coach, on the other hand, looks pissed at me. I shake it off and focus on the game.
We get back in line. O’Connor snaps the ball to me, and this time, Ashby is open. The ball spirals beautifully through the air and lands smoothly in his extended hands. Ashby runs towards the end zone and makes it right as another player tackles him.
TOUCHDOWN!
Walters, our punter, kicks the ball straight through the goalposts and victory is ours.
I look up to the stands and spot Paige jumping up and down, cheering. She looks as happy as I’m sure I do right now. I swear she’s my biggest fan and supporter. That girl is unbelievable, and she’s all mine. On instinct, I run over and jump up into the stands, pulling her to me in a deep kiss.
“Fuller!”
She breaks from the kiss breathless, and I turn back to my coach.
“Sorry, coach. Had to kiss my girl. She’s my good luck charm.”
I smile at Paige, give her one more peck, and then head back to the field. We shake hands with the other team and then head to the locker room. The guys are buzzing with excitement; nothing beats the thrill of a victory. I’m flying high on the energy going around the room. It was a close game, but sometimes those are the best because they keep us focused. We have to work for our win, which makes it more meaningful in the end.
“Nice game tonight, Fuller,” O’Connor says as he pats my back. “You coming out to the lake to celebrate our victory?”
“I’ve got plans with Paige tonight.”
“Bring her - the more, the merrier. Come on, you gotta come. It’s tradition, man. Homecoming celebration!”
“I’ll see if she wants to go and let you know.”
“See you there, man.” O’Connor gives me another pat on the back and then heads to the showers.
Paige is waiting for me when I walk out of the locker room, showered and changed. She runs toward me and as soon as she jumps into my arms, I spin her around.
When I place her back on her feet, she smiles up at me, “I was on the edge of my seat that whole game, but I’m so proud of you! You were amazing out there.”
Her belief in me is one of the reasons I love her so much – that and because she’s beautiful inside and out. Paige is, without a doubt, one of the most caring girl I’ve ever met. I’m a lucky guy.
“Hey, wanna go to a celebratory party at the lake? The guys invited us out.”
“Sure. I just need to text my parents to let them know.”
After Paige gets the all-clear from her parents, we head to the lake. It’s a madhouse. I don’t know how they get away with doing this every year without the cops coming, maybe because it’s secluded enough from town, but still, it’s insanity. There are cars everywhere with their headlights on to light up the party. There are a ton of high school kids milling around, and a bonfire down near the water.
I grab Paige’s hand to keep her close to me as we wander through the people. Music is playing loudly from someone’s car, and I see a bunch of my teammates dancing with their girlfriends, or whatever girl they happen to be dating this week.
I see Nate O’Connor and his girlfriend, Kayla, and we end up making our way over to them. We all chat around the bonfire and drink a few of the beers that Nate snuck out with him. By 11, Paige and I are both definitely feeling the effects of the alcohol because we can’t stop touching each other.
I desperately want to get her alone and re-enact that night in my car from last week. God, she was so hot – well, she’s always hot, but watching her come apart like that was something out of this world.
I squeeze her hand, which I haven’t let go of all night and whisper into her ear, my warm breath causing goosebumps to spread across her skin.
“Wanna go for a walk?”
I pull back enough to gesture toward the trees where we’ll have some privacy. I need to get my hands on her bare skin.
