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“That Cam likes his number painted on her face,” Joanna answers for me.
Natalie rolls her eyes. “He’s going to love it. He might even jizz in his jock strap when he sees you.”
“Gross, Nat!” Joanna yells, but I just start laughing.
“You never know,” I say when I can catch my breath. “He might.”
Joanna starts giggling.
So do I. Eventually Natalie joins in too.
It’s nice to talk about Cam with friends. It makes what we have feel much more real. Like it’s not some fairy tale in my head. It’s real.
Well, I think it is. I still feel a little unsure. I haven’t seen Cam in person since the night at the pizza place. He’s always busy, and so am I, but he’s never really asked to get together, which is a little unsettling. He texts me every day though, and we’ve FaceTimed the last couple of nights. That means he’s into me.
Right?
God, I hate feeling unsure. And that’s been the gist of our so-called relationship since it started. The way he kept me a secret. How he kept me in the dark about his feelings too. After a while, I thought I was losing my mind.
Seeing him after the game will help. Hopefully, we’ll talk. And maybe do…other things?
A girl—excuse me, a woman—can dream.
THIRTY-EIGHT
CAM
I’m nervous.
Not about the game or the other team or what the stakes are in regards to this game. Whoever wins today goes on to the conference championship. This is huge.
This is our moment to shine bright.
And all I can think about is seeing Blair after we win. Playing for her. Proving to her that I’ve got what it takes, both on the field and off. I’m going to win this game for my team. For myself.
For Blair too.
We left at the butt-crack of dawn, and somehow, despite how amped up I am, I was able to sleep on the bus. By the time we arrived, I was wide awake and raring to go. Out on the field during practice, I could feel the love surrounding me from my teammates. From the coaching staff. I know it sounds cheesy as shit, but they’ve got my back and I’ve got theirs, and it’s the vibe I’ve been seeking all my fucking life.
To belong. Truly. To be wrapped up in love and respect and know it’s for real. All these people who are involved with our team, they care about me. We care about each other. Deep down, I knew this. I did. But it was tough to realize when I let all the noise in my head drown it out.
Not anymore. I can’t. I refuse to. I’m reveling in the confidence we’re feeling. We’re on top and we’re going to continue this all the way to the championship.
I feel it in my bones.
The stadium is pretty much completely filled by the time we run out onto the field, eager to warm up. We’re in our away game uniforms, which are red with white and gold and Knox and I took photos together prior to running out. Shit we even made a video for social media, other guys from the team joining us, including Ace. I’m the one who dragged him into the frame and I’m glad I did it. Instead of acting like a jealous little bitch, who can’t handle competition, I’m embracing the kid because he’s going to step into my place when I’m gone.
And those are some pretty big shoes to fill.
We’re hanging out on the sidelines waiting for the game to start, Coach Mattson talking to us though I’m tuning him out. My gaze is focused on the stands behind us, scanning every face, looking for the one that makes my heart speed up.
I see her. Blonde hair flowing with a white beanie on her head, wearing my jersey with a thick black coat on that’s open at the front so everyone can see it. It’s cold, meaning she can’t show off my name that’s on the back of it, but she’s reppin’ that number four proudly and it makes me swell with pride.
She’s got my number painted on her cheeks too and she looks adorable. This is the first time a girl has done this—a girl that I want to do this, that is. Because she is mine. And I’m not scared to say it.
Her gaze finds mine and she smiles, waving at me, practically bouncing in her seat. She shakes Joanna’s arm, and she looks in my direction as well, waggling her fingers.
I slap Knox on the arm. “The love of your life is looking at you.”
