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“ARRW ARRWO ARRORWOWROOOOO,” the husky replied, jaw flapping as she spoke.
Taylor: She has a lot to say!
Brody: Huskies are drama queens.
Taylor: If you ever need someone to let her out, let me know! Playing with dogs is literally my favorite thing in the world. Even above chocolate.
Brody: Damn, T-Foxy. Better than chocolate?
Brody: My Luna girl is great and all, but I don’t know if she’s all that.
I drove to the stadium and carried my bag into the cheerleading locker room. After changing, I walked out onto the field to begin stretching. While loosening up, I gazed up at the towering rows of seats. There were a few hundred fans scattered around the stadium, but it was mostly empty. Despite that, there was a buzz in the air. I had been here for the pre-season games, but today felt different. The seats stretched high to the heavens, like a modern cathedral dedicated to the god of sport. The sight, along with the sunlight streaming through the glass roof, filled me with awe and excitement.
A moment of clarity hit me as I stood there, stretching my hamstring. I loved doing this. It wasn’t as important to me as teaching at the university, but it was still a major part of my life. It wasn’t just a hobby.
I couldn’t be with someone who didn’t respect such an important part of my life. And after a week of silence from him, I was starting to realize that officially breaking up with Eric sounded like the right thing to do.
It has nothing to do with Brody’s recent singleness, I told myself. Breaking up with Eric is good for me. Period.
“Watch out for Isabella today,” one of the girls told another. “She is in a mood.”
“Can’t blame her,” the other girl replied. “Everything with Brody…”
“It’ll pass. They’ll get back together. Isabella just likes the drama.”
“I’ll tell her you said that,” the one girl teased. “Then maybe I’ll get moved up to the B-line.”
“You had better not!”
The two of them giggled, but then cut off as Isabella herself came walking out of the tunnel. There was a bit of attitude in her stride today, and her gaze was sharp enough to cut diamonds. Everyone looked away.
“Well? What the hell are we waiting for?” she demanded. “Form up into the same lines as last time. I want to go over the defense cheer before the game starts.”
We all obeyed silently. I took my spot in the E-line without a word. I definitely didn’t want to complain to her about it today.
“Isabella,” one girl in the front line said softly. “I’m real sorry about what happened with Brody. He’s a dickhead. You’re better than him.”
“Thank you, Ginny,” Isabella replied softly. She looked around, met my gaze, then smiled. “Taylor. Up here. I want you in the A-line. Take Ginny’s spot.”
“I—what?” Ginny sputtered. “But I thought—”
“Another word,” Isabella warned, “and I’ll send you home.”
Ginny trembled with anger as she switched places with me. I kept my face as blank as possible.
Yeah. We definitely don’t want to cross her today.
We spent half an hour practicing as the stadium filled with fans. When the opposing team, the New England Patriots, jogged onto the field, the stadium erupted in boos. But when the Stallions came out next, the crowd roar was deafening.
This is so cool! I thought. Back when I was a cheerleader in Oakland, the crowd rarely got this loud. Although the indoor stadium’s acoustics probably had a lot to do with the booming noise.
The national anthem played, the coin was flipped, and then the Stallions kicked the ball off to the Patriots. On the next play, we launched into our first defense-related cheer.
As I fell into my routine of memorized dance moves, I savored the feeling of being in the front row. Not only was it satisfying to be appreciated for my skill, but I could see everything from here. The way the Patriots receiver sprinted down the field, kicking up bits of turf with his cleats. The Stallions coach arguing with a referee about a penalty. Dallas Lockett standing side-by-side on the sideline, cheering on the defense before taking the field himself.
But whenever he was visible, my attention was permanently glued to Brody Carter. Even from across the field, he looked dashing in his uniform and with the sunlight in his short-cropped hair. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.
When the Stallions took possession, Brody jogged onto the field and pulled his helmet on. The team lined up, and then the ball was hiked. Brody stutter-stepped for a few seconds, then went shooting across the middle of the field. Dallas Lockett whipped the ball toward him, a perfectly-accurate pass right at his chest. Brody tucked the ball under his arm, lowered his head, and slammed into the defender to gain a first down.
