AllFreeNovel
Share Us
More kids piled on board, and everyone was asked to take a seat and heads were counted. My heart did a shaky thing when I saw Cullen milling around the front, and I started a conversation with Emma to distract myself.
“So, what episode are you up to withCrown of Kings and Queens?”I asked, mentioning one of our favorite shows.
“I watched two last night,” she said. “Ahhhh! I’m so mad with Wren, ugh, why did she do that?”
We engaged in a full on discussion about our favorite and not-so-favorite characters. Even so, I sensed Cullen as he passed by, a slight hesitation in his step by my seat, but a relief when his footsteps continued to the back of the bus.
But in the next instance Red Phillips towered above, reaching to put his bag in the overhead compartment.
“Hey, Sierra,” he said, taking the seat in front of me, “You came!” Our high five was clumsy, my palm hitting his fingertips.
As the buses headed off Coach spoke solemnly into the microphone, giving thanks to all who contributed and supported the team. He expressed the need to be humble in victory and to stay focused because the job wasn’t done yet. We could be proud of ourselves but now we prepared for the next battle. There was still one more dragon to slay and that was Oakwood Academy.
Red turned around to start a conversation, but I was saved when the cheerleaders started the chants and the noise meant it was impossible to talk. We all sang and clapped till our throats were hoarse and our hands numb. I loved it, and I was thankful that Sawyer made us come on his bus. These memories were precious and sharing it with my brother was special. Even if he was down on the back seat not acknowledging me. Sneaking a peek, I wanted to check he wasn’t brooding over Amanda. My mistake—yes, he seemed happy sitting cozily next to Phoebe, just as Cullen and Siri were squeezed close together.
When Red turned back around, I had no choice but to be friendly and listen to his repeated play by play of his amazing tackles, declaring that he was instrumental in taking down Kyler Clark.
As the bus arrived back at Covington Prep, the whining began about having to take an ice bath. The disadvantage in playing an away game was the delay, but Coach was quick to say the two hour window of opportunity had yet to pass and that five to eight minutes in ice would rejuvenate them for the upcoming week. He promised them the toughest week of their lives, which brought more groans.
Red was gentlemanly and escorted me off of the bus, but I held onto Emma’s hand firmly, making sure she came with me. He offered me a ride home, but I explained that I was going with Emma.
Emma flashed me a teasing smile which I returned with a death stare so severe that it sapped all of my energy. I pulled her away to find our bags and we waited for her Mom, tiredness setting in. Yes, I must’ve run more than a few miles today. Nobody considered how physical the hydration expert’s job was. I closed my eyes, envisioning a restful evening, telling Emma that a soak in the hot tub with a packet of marshmallows sounded like the perfect way to end the day.
“That sounds pretty perfect to me, too,” said a voice that wasn’t Emma’s. “Do you want me to bring the marshmallows?”
With absolute dread I opened my eyes, but I already knew who I was going to see in front of me—yep, Cullen Mercer was looking at me with his steely blue eyes and a curious smile.
Chapter 13
Cullen
As the final whistleblew, I threw up my arms in triumph, the victory fulfilling the grand plan. Four years in the making, we’d achieved what many had called an impossible dream: make it to the state championship final. Amidst the huddle with the team, I offered up a silent prayer of thanks and dedicated the win to Granddad.
And as soon as we got back to Covington, I called Granddad. There had been too much noise on the bus, everyone understandably excited, but having Siri and Phoebe shrieking in my ear for the past hour or so had given me a headache, and dare I say it, I was looking forward to an ice bath just to get some peace and quiet. Plus, I was sore. Yeah, I’d gone a hundred and ten percent the whole game and my body knew it.
But first, the phone call to Granddad. He’d been discharged from the hospital yesterday and was willing to be a good patient so he’d be well enough to come to the final. That’s what he’d said—he’d be pushed in a wheelchair if need be. That had been an added incentive to do well today. And yeah, it may have been a lucky break for us when Fieldcrest’s QB went down injured, but one person doesn’t make the team.
