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by Ashley Jade
“Yeah.” A muscle in his jaw bunches. “I fucking miss you…a lot.”
“Co—”
“You don’t have to say anything back. I just wanted you to know.”
I peer at his hand. The bruises and scrapes are starting to fade. “Hopefully your hand doesn’t interfere with the big game.”
He doesn’t look too worried about it. “I’ll manage.”
We awkwardly stare at each other until I break eye contact. “Thanks for stopping by—”
“I don’t like this.”
“What?”
“The small talk that’s happening now. The awkwardness.” The groove in his forehead deepens. “It’s not us.”
I start to tell him there is no us, but the door opens and people start shuffling inside.
“Choir practice,” I tell him.
His brows furrow. “Can we talk after?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” The organ in my chest protests. Stupid traitor. “I have a lot of schoolwork to catch up on.”
He looks like he wants to argue, but he simply gives me a quick nod before taking off.
“Who was that?” Amanda asks after he leaves.
“My boy—” I stop myself. “Just a guy I go to school with.”
A guy who’s still holding my heart in the palm of his big hand.
Chapter 54
Sawyer
“God, what is taking her so long?” Caitlyn whines impatiently.
We’re all huddled up outside the girls’ locker room…waiting for the Queen to finally grace us with her presence.
Another girl—who I now know is Rene—glances at her watch. “We were supposed to be out on the field to stretch five minutes ago.”
Bianca stays silent, but I can’t help but notice the hint of a sly smirk curving her lips.
Truth be told, even I’m getting sick of waiting for Casey to get her ass in gear.
The championship game starts in twenty minutes and there’s no way Izzy is going out there all by his lonesome.
Not to mention—it’s hot as hell under this thing.
A few minutes later, Morgan ambles out of the locker room.
The expression on her face isn’t a good one. “We have a problem.”
“You think?” Caitlyn chirps. “We’ve been waiting forever.”
“Some captain she is,” Rene mutters. “Can’t even bother to be on time for the biggest game of the season.”
I swear Bianca’s smirk grows.
“It’s not her fault,” Morgan defends. Making sure no one else is around, she drops her voice to a whisper. “She can’t fit into her uniform.”
Their mouths drop open…mine too.
Bianca mock gasps. “Oh no. Gosh, you don’t say. That’s terrible.” Her mouth quirks. “Must have been something she ate.”
She exchanges a humorous glance with Caitlyn and Rene.
It goes right over Morgan’s head. “I know. I tried offering her mine since I’m bigger, but it won’t fit her either.” She shrugs. “Anyway, since I’ll be cheer captain next year, she appointed me to take over for her during today’s game.”
The three girls exchange another glance. They don’t approve.
“No,” Caitlyn says. “No offense, but you kind of suck. You can’t even do a flip.”
“Let’s face it, Morgan,” Rene scoffs. “The only reason you even made the squad in the first place is because you kiss Casey’s ass.”
“Her fat ass,” Caitlyn quips and the girls laugh.
My stomach coils. Lord knows I can’t stand Casey, but making fun of her because she gained some weight is just…wrong.
“Whatever.” Morgan places her hands on her hips. “I’m the new cheer captain now. Deal with it.”
Caitlyn’s tongue finds her cheek. “Not so fast. Last I checked, the entire squad gets to vote on the new cheer captain.”
“Are you serious right now?” Morgan snaps, straightening her spine. “Fine. Who do you think should be the new captain?” She rolls her eyes. “Oh, let me guess…you.”
Caitlyn shakes her head. “Nope.”
Morgan’s eyebrows shoot up. “Then who?”
Bianca studies her nails.
“Bianca,” Caitlyn and Rene say at the same time.
Morgan does not look happy about that one bit. “Are you fucking kidding? She’s only a sophomore. The only reason she ever made varsity to begin with is because Casey was dating Cole.”
“She’ll be a junior next year, dumbass,” Caitlyn, the bolder of the two, argues. “Plus, she’s here on time, she’s tiny and fit, she can flip, and most importantly, she’s good.”
“Really good,” Rene adds.
Holy shit.
Bianca clearly has these two wrapped around her little finger already.
Morgan looks like she wants to cry. “You can’t do this. It’s not fair.”
Caitlyn and Rene raise their hands. “All in favor of Bianca being the new cheer captain, raise your hand.” She looks at me. “Izzy, you count too. Given you’re our mascot and all.”
Bianca shoots me a look as she joins them.
Begrudgingly, I raise my hand.
Morgan actually flinches.
That’s one favor cashed in.
Bianca gives Morgan a saccharine smile. “Hope you enjoy today’s game.” Her eyes become tiny slits. “It will be your last.”
“You guys are such assholes.”
Bianca flutters her fingers in a dainty wave. “Buh-bye, Felicia.”
Morgan stomps off. “Wicked bitch.”
Laughing, Caitlyn and Rene follow behind her. “We’re gonna run to the concession stand before the game. Want anything?”
Back to studying her nails, Bianca lifts a shoulder. “A bottle of water would be awesome.”
“You got it, Captain.”
When they’re safely out of earshot, Bianca lifts her gaze to me. “And that, my friend, is how it’s fucking done.” Walking backward down the hall she calls out, “You’re welcome, by the way. What happened to Casey is a little something I like to call karma.”
As wrong as it is, I can’t deny the tiny part of me that’s enjoying it.
Casey has tortured me for years about my weight.
Maybe now she’ll finally understand how much it hurts.
I open my mouth, but then I see them out of the corner of my eye.
My stomach recoils. Not this shit again.
I’m debating making a run for it, but it’s too late.
I’ve been spotted.
The crew of giant football players barrel toward me. “Izzy! Izzy! Izzy!”
Crap. Here we go again.
“Wrong locker room, Iz!” Lennox calls out.
Some guy whistles. “Look at Izzy macking on the cheerleaders.”
“Awe, he’s just picking out a nice slam piece for after we whoop the Viking’s asses!” Cortland exclaims.
They all howl like a pack of wolves.
Dwight pumps his fist in the air. “Izzy! Izzy! Izzy!”
Fuck my life.
I resign myself as they proceed to sit me on their shoulders.
Take it away, boys.
Chapter 55
Cole
My team’s chants bounce off the walls as they rush into the locker room in one giant tidal wave. “Izzy! Izzy! Izzy!”
I swallow a laugh. I knew they’d find the little fucker sooner or later.
The clock on the wall snags my attention. Coach will be coming out of his office any second.
Time to focus.
I eye Dwight and Lennox, who are still enthusiastically bouncing Izzy on their shoulders. “Put Izzy down.”
As if on cue, Coach Stalter yells, “All right. All right. Everybody touch somebody!” He claps his hands. “It’s time for our quarterback to lead us in prayer.”
Damn how I hate this part.
The irony of a non-believer leading the team in prayer before every game isn’t lost on me.
I sn
ort. If only Sawyer was here to witness this.
If only I didn’t fuck up everything and make her hate my fucking guts.
“Something funny, Covington?” Coach barks.
“Yeah,” I shout, covering up my fumble. “How badly we’re going to kick the Viking’s asses today!”
Everyone erupts in cheers and howls.
“Okay, okay, settle down!” he growls after a minute. “Take it away, Covington.”
“Dear, Lord,” I begin.
I may not believe in the almighty, but I believe in my team.
I believe in this sport.
And when I’m out on that field…I believe in myself.
“As we approach the big game, we ask that you be there to guide us through every move and be there to celebrate every touchdown with us.”
I draw in a deep breath. “May our feet be swift, may our muscles never tire…and may we never run out of hope and determination as we crush the Vikings into dust today. We are grateful for you, for the people in the stands who came to see us play, for our coach who never gives up on us…and for every single player on this team that I’ve had the honor of sharing the field with these past four years. Last season was a rough one, but please…help us bring home the championship this time.” Glancing up at the ceiling, I utter, “Lord knows, we’ve fucking earned it.”
I look around at my teammates, even Cortland, the fucker.
Because every quarterback worth a damn knows he’s only as good as the team he has behind him. “Amen.”
The room erupts in cheers. Well, except Izzy, who’s still praying.
Hey, whatever works.
“Damn, Covington,” Dwight drawls. “That was beautiful.”
Coach clears his throat. “Well, shit. I don’t know how the hell we can lose after that.”
“We’re not going to,” I rumble.
“Damn straight,” Lennox shouts.
“Fuck, yeah!!” Dwight yells.
Coach starts motioning to the door. “Well, you can’t beat ‘em if you’re not on the field to play, now can you? Get your asses out there.”
The muscles in my chest draw tight. “Actually, I need another minute.”
This is the last time we’ll all be in the locker room together, so it’s now or never.
It sucks that it’s come down to this, but I told her I would fix this.
And I fucking meant it.
Chapter 56
Sawyer
Cole Covington just prayed to a God he doesn’t even believe exists for the sake of his team.
My breath catches. There’s something so magnanimous about that.
Despite my anger with him, I once again find myself thinking that maybe he isn’t as selfish as I thought.
A few of the guys begin to leave, but Cole halts them. “Actually, I need another minute.”
Confusion clouds his teammates’ expressions as he reaches for something inside his locker.
Evidently, they’re just as lost as I am.
Perhaps he has some kind of team present planned for the big game.
I’m positively dumbfounded when he tosses a set of keys to Cortland. “Enjoy your new car.”
My heart stops cold.
Wait…what?
He didn’t…
He can’t…
Everyone’s mouths hit the floor. Mine included.
Cortland looks utterly baffled. “What about the bet? There’s still over four months left.”
There's a flash of guilt in Cole’s eyes before his features harden. “I never should have taken it to begin with.”
My insides swoop. Oh. My. God.
He did.
“What part of get your asses on the field don’t you shitheads understand?” Coach Stalter booms.
All I can hear is the frantic thud of my heart against my ribs as a hoard of football players rush past me.
I never, ever expected him to do this.
“A little privacy, Izzy?” Cole barks, jolting me out of my thoughts.
That’s when it dawns on me. He has no idea it’s me under here.
Tears spring to my eyes as I clutch my chest.
He didn’t make this right to win me back…he did it because he truly believes it’s the right thing to do.
With or without me.
Lucky Seven doesn’t deserve a second chance…
But Colton does.
He takes a piece of green fabric out of his locker…then hesitates.
Jaw flexing, he swivels his gaze my way. “Would you get the fuck out of here, man? Jesus.”
I quickly hustle toward the door…then pause.
“Good luck today, Colton.”
With that, I walk out.
Chapter 57
Cole
A slow surge of anger fills my veins as I watch Todd Harris throw his fourth touchdown of the game.
Half the people in the stands go nuts, and the two scouts I spot from Duke’s Heart start furiously scribbling on their notepads.
He pumps his fist in the air, dancing like he’s already won. The bastard.
With only two minutes left in the game, they kick the extra point, making the score thirty to twenty-seven. Coach Stalter looks like he wants to puke…two minutes isn’t a lot of time.
He’s ready to accept defeat.
I’m not.
Lennox looks at me with remorse in his eyes as he walks off the field.
However, it’s not the defense’s fault we’re losing this game.
It’s the offense…specifically me.
My gaze wanders over to Izzy—Sawyer.
I had no idea. Although I probably should have guessed last week. Izzy’s never been one to drop to his knees in the middle of a game to start praying.
My chest coils. She saw me.
“You ready, man?” Dwight drawls.
Cortland snorts. “Man, first he steals our QB’s girlfriend, then he steals our championship. Might as well bend over. Cole. You’re fucked.”
A swell of determination rises within me. “Nah. Fuck that.”
Todd might screw my ex, poach my offer from Duke’s, and win the game…
But if I’m going down…I’m going down fucking swinging.
I’ll bleed my goddamn black heart out for this sport.
My stare veers to Sawyer again. For her.
“We’re not going out like a bunch of pussies.” Grabbing the front of Dwight’s helmet, I crack mine against his. “You with me?”
He grins. “Fuck yeah!”
I clap my hands. “Let’s do this.”
We start our steady march down the field. I can tell Coach is playing scared, sending in one run play after another. He doesn’t trust me to pass, afraid I’m going to choke in the clutch. Fuck that. I’m Cole fucking Covington and I am clutch.
We still have half the field to go and a glance at the scoreboard reminds me we have less than a minute to play.
Less than a minute left in my high school football career. I’m not going out like a sucker.
My eyes find Izzy, down on her knees again, and I have to smile.
Keep praying, Bible Thumper, but I got this.
Ignoring the play our running back just brought in from the sidelines, I call my own. Dwight runs his slant route perfectly, never breaking stride as my pass falls right into his hands. He heads toward the end zone, but their safety is lightning fast and manages to take him down from behind on the nine-yard line.
I hear Coach screaming for a timeout, our last, and I look to see how much time is left.
Ten seconds. One play.
All or nothing.
We head to the sidelines and Coach gets in my face.
“Don’t pull that shit again, Covington. And don’t push me. Duke’s Heart won’t take you without my recommendation. Am I clear?”
Fuck. “Yeah, Coach. Loud and clear.”
He diagrams the play and sends us back out onto the field. It won’t fucking work. I know it won’t. I’ve been watching the
ir linebackers all night and they’re smart. If I run Coach’s play, we lose.
I don’t fucking lose.
“Huddle up.” I call the offense together once we’re back on the field... an unusual move after a timeout. Their confusion is replaced with apprehension when I call a new play.
“Zero right Y jet knightmare on one.”
“Cole, that’s not what Coach—”
“Zero right Y jet knightmare on one. You got this, Dwight?”
He looks around the circle, then at me. “We got this, man.”
I look every player in the eye before I ask, “Are you with me?”
Their affirmative growls are exactly what I expected to hear.
“Our entire season comes down to this play, boys. Let’s have some fun.”
I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.
Except her.
My team runs up to the line of scrimmage and I line up in the shotgun formation, alone in the backfield. I watch their safeties and linebackers shift now that they know we’re going to pass. I hear Coach screaming in the distance, but I ignore it. We’re out of timeouts, so he can’t stop this.
The guy needs to relax.
“Ready. Set,” I call out, my voice carrying over the noise of the crowd. I stomp my foot, sending Dwight in motion. Just as he passes behind the left guard, I call, “Hike.”
The defense is caught by surprise when the ball is snapped directly to Dwight, who takes off toward the right end of the line. I watch and wait…the longest three seconds of my life. When I see the linebackers and the safeties bite, all heading to the right side of the field, I take off left as fast as I can run.
No one on the defense pays any attention to me. They’re all fixated on stopping Dwight. I’m three yards from the end zone when I turn, just in time to see Dwight pivot and throw the ball with everything he’s got.
The throw’s high and farther ahead of me than I was expecting. I power through two more yards, then launch myself as far and as high as I can, never taking my eyes off the ball. The leather hits my hands with more force than I expect, but they close around it and I pull the ball in just as my shoulders hit the ground. I hear the crowd go crazy and the buzzer signaling the end of the game.