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But turning to leave, I gasped—Cullen was heading in my direction, still dressed in his training gear, though he was wearing slides on his feet. There was a distance of about twenty feet between us, closing with every step he took. Maybe he was going to the storage room, I thought, maybe he needed to get something. With my head down, I started walking, though petrified and mortified that my life was soon about to crumble, that he was about to call me out for my attempted kiss, my failed kiss.
The hallway was wide enough that we could pass each other without interference—except it wasn’t—not when Cullen came to a stop and blocked my way.
“Sierra,” he said, so quickly and whispery that it sounded likeSera.“Hey.”
I came to a halt, but I didn’t look at him, my eyes staying firmly on my sneakers, my breathing stalled, waiting for the barrage, the abhorrence of my kiss.
But then I knew what I had to do—I had to beat him to it. I couldn’t give him the chance to express his outrage.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “I didn’t know what I was doing. I’m really,reallysorry.”
And, in the best display of athletic agility ever, I ducked down and squeezed my way past his giant frame, willing my legs to make my escape. Pushing through the swinging door, my lungs were close to maximum effort, and I arrived at Mom’s car in a breathless state.
“What’s the rush?”
“Sorry I’m late,” I panted. “Mrs. Mercer wasn’t there and Mrs. Amer didn’t know where to put things.”
“It’s okay,” Mom said. “I only just got here. How’s Cullen’s granddad?”
I hesitated, wondering if she thought I’d specifically spoken to Cullen. I was deliberately careful in my choice of words. “Coach Mercer said he’s doing great.” Then I added, “Well, as great as you can when you just had surgery, I guess.”
“That’s good news,” Mom said, oblivious to the mental stress taking place in my brain. “What a hectic time for the family.”
“What’s for dinner tonight?” I asked, eager to get the subject changed. “I’m starving.”
––––––––
Fieldcrest’s quarterbackwas injured in the first quarter. The crowd cheered as he waved and limped from the field with assistance, but as soon as he got to the sideline he punched a chair hard and then threw it to the ground. It was kind of frightening. Kyler Clark was devastated.
But Cullen never lost focus and led the Chargers to a comprehensive 52-7 victory, Fieldcrest not helped by the absence of Clark.
The atmosphere had been so electric that I hadn’t given a thought to Cullen other than to ensure he was adequately hydrated. I had his favorite flavored sports drink for him at the right time, handing it over efficiently, no time to think about anything other than doing my job. As Cullen was doing. It was all about being in the present moment, working as a team.
Chaos ensued after the game and Covington Prep, usually known for being strict and rigid with the rules, let us celebrate all the way home. Original seats were forgotten as girls from the cheer team switched buses to travel back with the football boys.
Emma, who had come with the band, implored me to go back with her in her bus. Mom and Dad said it was fine if Miss Flower allowed it. Excited to be with my friend, my heart did plunge a little as Siri, Phoebe and Leylah piled onto the number one bus, the one which Cullen, Tennessee and Sawyer rode in.
Sawyer came striding over as Emma and I waited by her bus. “Hey,” he called, tilting his head, “ride on our bus.”
“No, I’m going with Emma,” I said.
“No way,” he said with an overly aggressive voice. “You’re not riding with the band.”
I blinked in astonishment. “Why not?” Emma was devoted to the clarinet, and the boys who played the drums and trumpets were surely all musical nerds.
Sawyer literally pulled me by the arm. “On our bus,” he directed, worse than an overprotective parent, “go.”
Emma and I shuffled together, afraid to argue. Sawyer barely tolerated being seen with me in public, so for him to demand that we get on his bus meant he was serious. He ushered us up the steps of the bus as if we were incompetent of finding our own way aboard.
Midway down the aisle, he ordered, “Sit,” and Emma slid in next to the window, stowing her beloved clarinet case next to her. We smiled at one another, definitely bewildered.
“What’s wrong with the band bus?” I asked in a hushed voice.
Emma shrugged, and I cast my eyes down to the back where Sawyer joined Skyler and Danny who were posing for selfies with the cheerleaders. Noticing Amanda wasn’t with him, I mused out loud, “I wonder where Amanda is?”
Emma shrugged cluelessly and in the whirlwind that had swept us onto the bus, my heart rate sped up anticipating Cullen would be joining us. Well, of course he’d go to the back with the cheerleaders. I wished I had taken the window seat now.
“Hey, look who’s with Rory Sullivan,” Emma gasped, tugging on my sleeve. She directed my attention over to the drum major, up close and personal with Amanda. I turned back to see Sawyer glaring out the window. My heart immediately sunk for him. Sawyer had liked Amanda for some time, but as Coach urged that football came first, he was holding off till the end of the season. Apparently, that was too long for Amanda to wait.
