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The clock hits zero and just like that, it’s half-time. We’re up by fourteen, and the team is on fire. I glance up to the stands and catch her gaze before making my way to the locker room.
“Yo, Barker, you’re hot.” Kaden slaps me on the back. “Every damn time you lay it right here.” He opens his hand and points to his palm.
I shrug. “We’re all killing it out there.”
“Yeah, but there’s something else going on. You’re laser-focused,” Jack chimes in.
“Except when he’s looking up in the stands,” Case ribs. “You trying to keep an eye on your girl, make sure her eyes aren’t straying to a real man?” He jokes, doing some crazy move that makes him look like he’s trying to fuck thin air.
“Don’t ever do that again.” I laugh.
“What, you don’t think she’d want this? I’m two hundred and ninety-five pounds of steel and sex appeal, baby.” He runs his hands up the side of his body trying to channel his inner Vanna White.
“Fuck off.” I push at his shoulder good-naturedly.
“All right, listen up.” Coach Neil goes on to give us his half-time locker room speech. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows just because we’re up at the half. We may be on fire, but he wants to keep that fire lit to bring home the win. I want that too. With Emma here watching, I want to bring this one home. Oh, and my parents, but they’ve seen me play a thousand times. Emma, she’s seen me too, but this time is different. This time she’s here to see me. That’s a game-changer.
Taking the field, my eyes instantly go to her. Expecting to find her watching for me, I’m surprised when I see Case’s brother, Corey, chatting with her and Aubrey. He’s sitting in front of them, and holding her attention. I try not to get annoyed, but it’s hard. The whistle blows and we take the field for the second half. Defense takes the field first which means I’m on the sidelines watching in between glances at Emma. Emma who’s still talking to Corey. I want to toss the football and knock his ass out. I could do it, but then it would be on national television and I’m sure it would not only piss off Coach, but the higher-ups as well. Not to mention, it would look bad on me and the team.
Maybe they’d understand when I tell them that some man, a guy I’ve met and had a beer with multiple times, is moving in on my girl. Then it hits me like a ton of bricks. She’s not mine.
Not yet, but she will be.
It feels like we’re fourth and goal, and down by two. It’s time for me to do what I do best, and pull off a win. Not on the field, but with her. No more waiting, no more watching from the sidelines.
The second half goes about the same as the first. By the time the clock hits zero at the end of the fourth quarter, we’ve won by three touchdowns. The second half of the game is a blur for me. I kept glancing up in the stands to see Emma, chatting with Corey like she was there for him. With him. Lucky for me, football is like second nature, like breathing in a sense and I was able to keep the game moving.
The locker room is hyped with the guys cheering and laughing. It’s a big boost for morale to win the preseason game. Stopping at my locker, I waste no time stripping out of my gear, grabbing a towel and hitting the showers. The guys pull me into the celebration conversation as they recount a play I can’t remember. I bullshit my way through it, like I did the second half of the game. This isn’t like me, and I can’t keep letting it happen. Next time I might not be so lucky.
My hair is still dripping wet when I leave the locker room, my bag thrown over my shoulder.
“Where’s the fire?” Case asks, catching up with me.
“No fire. Just excited to see my girl.”
“Wow, that’s different.”
“Yeah, lots of changes,” I say as I spot Emma and Aubrey, and with them is his brother, Corey. My feet carry me faster, my long strides burning up the space between us.
“I’ll call you,” Corey tells Emma. My eyes zero in on where his hand is on her arm. He drops it when he sees us. “Good game, brother.” He pats Case on the shoulder.
“Hey, Em.” I place my focus on Emma. I have to or else I might punch Corey, and he’s a good guy. He’s chill, and we’ve hung out a lot, but all I can see is his hand on her arm and him telling her that he’s going to call her. My attention is better focused on her.
