Chapter 28
Jared
The roar of the crowd is deafening, but I tune it out. My breath fogs in the chill fall air as I crouch into position, eyes locked on the ball. It's the final drive of the game; everything comes down to this. Troy’s shouting orders, but I already know the play like the back of my hand. We’ve practiced this a thousand times. It's automatic.
The center snaps the ball, and I explode off the line. My cleats dig into the turf, propelling me forward. Bodies clash around me, the crunch of pads and grunts filling the air. I push past a linebacker, spinning to keep my route clean, eyes scanning the field. I catch a glimpse of Hunter cutting across, his defender a step behind.
Troy rolls out, and in that split second, I see the window. He’s going for it.
The ball soars through the air, a perfect spiral cutting through the sky. It hangs there, suspended for just a moment, and I hold my breath.
Come on, come on…
Nate leaps, arms outstretched. Time seems to slow as he pulls it in, landing just inside the end zone.
Touchdown.
The stadium erupts. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, hands shooting into the air as I sprint toward Nate. Myteammates are already piling onto him, shouting, grabbing his helmet, and pounding his back.
We won.
The final whistle blows, and the scoreboard tells the story: 34–27. Our win. Our hard-fought win.
I’m still buzzing with adrenaline as we all jog to midfield for the obligatory handshake with the Westend University Bobcats. Sweat clings to my skin, the thudding of my pulse still strong, but there’s this calm beneath it all. Victory feels good, but it feels better with the guys who’ve been through the grind with me.
They took me in like I’d been here since freshman year. From day one, they had my back. No hazing, no bullshit, just a team that cared about winning and treated me like I was part of the family from the beginning. Troy, Chase, Nate, Kevin… they aren’t just teammates. They became my brothers instantly.
I mean, Nate’s still the same pain in the ass with his endless trash talk and 'look-at-me' attitude, but that's Nate. You either deal with it or go insane.
Chase was my first real friend on campus and on the team. You’d think with his cool-guy, too-cocky-for-you act, he’d be tough to crack, but nah, he’s basically a teddy bear. When I’m down, he justknows. No questions, no hesitation—he just steps in, like it’s second nature.
Troy’s the natural-born leader. Confident as hell. Calm in a storm, like nothing fazes him. He’s the guy I turn to when things go sideways, unless it’s something too serious. Like, if I’m stranded on the side of the road and about to be eaten by wolves, I'm not sure he’d handle it the way I need.
Kevin? Well, Kevin’s my go-to if I need someone with size—literally. The guy’s built like a freaking house. But his heart’s bigger than anything. Maybe he wouldn’t be the one I’d turn to for emotional support, but I’d trust him to have my back if things ever went physical. He’s loyal, always has been. It’s the kind of loyalty you don’t question.
Honestly, I don’t know how I would’ve survived the transfer without them. Football? Yeah, it’s what brought us together, but it’s more than that now. We push each other, celebrate each other’s wins, and give each other shit every chance we get. In a weird way, they made this place feel like home.
And in some twisted irony, transferring here might’ve been the best thing that happened to me.
It led me to these guys.
And then… it led me back to Alli.
Troy comes up beside me, grinning like a maniac. “You see that throw? Pinpoint, man.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I smirk, clapping him on the shoulder. “Nate did all the work.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “You’re never gonna give me credit, are you?”
I grin, watching as the crowd cheers, some fans already flooding the stands to get closer to the field. I wonder if Alli’s still up there or making her way to the closed-off area of the athletic center for family and friends.
“Good work, Jared,” Jason, our left tackle, says as he passes by, ruffling my hair like I’m some rookie. “We’re hitting up the bar tonight to celebrate.”
I give him a nod as we make our way toward the locker room, the cold air finally hitting me now that the game’s over. But inside, I’m still warm. Warm from the win, yeah, but also because Alli’s on my mind. She’s been on my mind a lot lately after the night at the beach. Is this what happens when you finally get a girl? They live rent-free in your head?
Part of me can’t believe we’re official. I mean, who fucking knew the girl I met in sixth grade would be the one I’m head over heels for? I never thought anything of it. She was just… Alli. We were always in each other’s orbits. We had the same friends and always saw each other at parties and school occasions. Then, coincidentally, my dad married her best friend’s aunt, which only meant seeing more of her in my house when they would hang out together.
As I unclip my helmet, Nate jogs over, his face red from sweat and excitement. “Did you see that catch? Did you?”
