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“More. I want more Aubrey.”
It’s the truth. I don’t know whatmoreis yet, but I know I want it. And I’m pretty sure I want it with Aubrey.
A comfortable silence falls between us again and we both stare out at our town. We look out at the twinkling lights surrounded by vast darkness. I steal the occasional glance at Aubrey, wishing I could get inside that beautiful mind of hers, know her most intimate thoughts. When my body aches from sitting up here too long, I know it’s time for me to leave.
“There’s a football game at the college tomorrow,” I say.
Aubrey turns her head to look at me but doesn’t say anything, just stares at me with her big eyes. I guess I haven't even asked her what I want to ask her yet.
I clear my throat and start again.
“Some–uh–friends and I are sitting on the sidelines to watch the game. Would you like to join us? Ya know, if you’re not busy–”
I stumble over myself to get all the words out, which kind of pisses me off. Confidence is something I’ve never had a problem with. What the hell is this beautiful near-stranger doing to me?
Aubrey doesn’t answer me, but I can see the faintest upward curve of one side of her lips that gives me just a bit of hope.
“Well—I’ll leave a sideline pass for you at the front booth. If you can make it, the game starts at six.” I tell her as I slowly get up, my joints screaming at me as I do. “I hope you come tomorrow. Bye, Aubrey.”
“Come on number 11, those guys aren’t fast enough. You’ve got this,” Madison screams as she stands beside the bench I’m currently sitting on.
She’s decked out head to toe in black and gold and wearing one of Ender’s practice jerseys, the number eleven proudly displayed across the front and back.
It’s only two minutes into the first quarter, but she hasn’t sat down once. She’s wound up tight, but I know Ender loves it.
When Taylor, Madison, and I arrived at the stadium for the game, I wasn’t too happy to see the set up they’d erected on the sideline for us. Someone added what is basically a couch to the sidelines, with a bunch of pillows and blankets, plus an ice chest next to it with snacks and drinks. It’s not that it isn’t a kind gesture, but did they not get the memo that I am, in fact, not currently dying? Was my refusal to let most of the team visit me in the hospital not show enough that I don’t want to be fussed over?
Yes, this is my first game back on the field–well, back on the sidelines, but that doesn’t mean I need to be treated any differently. Taylor, on the other hand, practically jumped and squealed before bundling up in one of the blankets and getting comfortable in a corner of the couch. She’s never liked football, but she loves her boyfriend Jesse, so she comes to every game to support him. She’s probably now going to demand this set up from here on out.
I’m trying to concentrate on the game–it’s a big one for us. We’re playing one of our biggest rivals. But I can’t keep my eyes from darting to the entrance tunnel every five seconds, hoping Aubrey will show up.
“Are you kidding me number 52? You call that blocking?”
Madison’s getting more worked up by the second and we’re still in the first quarter. Taylor’s half asleep in her blanket cocoon, oblivious to the fact that Madison’s currently chewing out her boyfriend from the sidelines. I shake my head and let out a laugh. Damn it if it doesn’t feel good to be around friends again–even if they are a little over the top.
It’s almost the end of the quarter and no one’s even scored. We’ve got possession of the ball now and we’re sitting on the forty yard line, second down. Ender yells out the play and waits for the snap. When the ball meets his hands he looks to his right for the wide receiver he’s supposed to be throwing it down the field to. But before he can get the ball out, he’s slammed to the ground.
Dammit, that’s the second sack of the game. The O-line is doing a shit job and I’m on my feet now, screaming nearly as loud as Madison. That’s when I see her. Her fiery copper hair hangs loose and a little wild. She’s wearing a pair of black leggings that show off her toned legs more than the loose jeans I’ve seen her in before. The shirt she’s wearing still looks to be about three sizes too big and hangs awkwardly on her small frame.
She’s looking down at the ground and doesn’t see me. Suddenly she’s turning around, back toward the entrance. I yell out her name as I jog toward her.
Chapter twelve
Aubrey
I’vebeenstandingherehiding in the shadows for the past half hour. I can see Emmett from where I stand. He’s sitting on a make-shift couch on the sidelines with the pretty blonde from the library while the pretty brunette that works at the diner stands next to them, screaming every five seconds. I wonder if her yelling is part of the game?
I don’t know what possessed me to actually come here tonight. I’m taking a huge risk. Mom and Dad are at dinner at another church family's house who live almost two hours away. They won’t be home until late, so that made the decision a little easier. But, I don’t like Emmett–even though when he said he wanted to be my friend and that he liked me, the swarming feeling in my stomach felt more intense than I’ve ever felt it.
He’s infuriating. Always showing up when I’m trying to work or have some peace. Always asking me questions. Always staring at me and touching me. I don’t like him.
Yet, here I am.
I move from my hiding spot and walk toward him, but when I’m halfway there, I get some sense knocked back into me and turn around.
“Aubrey!”
Too late.
