“Because it was that or one of those over-the-top Hallmark movies,” he says, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in for a kiss. “I picked the lesser of two evils.”
She smiles and her cheeks, which are red with cold, turn a deeper shade of crimson. “I love those movies.”
“And I love you.”
It’s the same reason I watch the sappy holiday romcoms with her.
Mom always plays them while we bake Christmas cookies. It’s a longstanding tradition, one we’ve upheld for the last three years, even though it means moving cookie day to the middle of December when I get home from school.
“Here we go!” Coach Collins shouts, sparing me any further talk of my love life.
The announcer kicks off the Senior Day presentation by introducing Reid. As he takes the field, his escort is announced and then his academic achievements and future goals follow before a previously recorded message is played on the big screen. In the message, Reid thanks his father and the fans for their support before he ends with “Go Wildcats!”
The crowd goes wild and pride fills my chest as I watch my teammates take the field one by one. Pride at our shared accomplishments. At how we’ve all grown and changed since freshman year. We aren’t done—not by a long shot—but I can’t help but marvel at the difference three years makes, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of these guys, though I’ll sure as hell miss them when they’re gone.
Sutton will still be on campus next year.
With my parents at my side, I step up to the tunnel opening, waiting for my name to be called. I scan the sideline for the Wildcat, and just as my name echoes through the stadium, I spot her waving a blue and white Waverly flag that’s almost as tall as she is.
Later. Think about it later.
Right now, we’ve got a game to win.
* * *
Four hours later,I’m standing on the sideline with my boys, gripping Vaughn’s jersey, as the game clock runs down, cementing our 30-0 win over the Terrapins.
The stadium erupts and Reid pumps his fist in the air, far too chill as I leap onto the mountain man’s back. “Eleven and one, baby! We fucking did it!”
“Hell yeah, we did,” Vaughn shouts, reaching around to slap me on the biceps as our defense jogs off the field, celebrating the first and only shutout of the regular season. “Nothing like finishing on a high note.”
No kidding. With our record, we’re guaranteed a bowl appearance. The question is, which one? Bowl matchups won’t be determined until after the division championship games are played. If Ohio loses today, we advance. If not…
No point sweating it now.
It’s out of our hands. All we can do is wait and hope we’re in.
It has to be enough.
I drop to the ground and clap Coop on the shoulder, but it’s clear he’s not in the mood to celebrate. After the shitshow at the football building earlier, I can hardly fault him. Reid whispers something in his ear before turning to celebrate with the rest of the team, ever the dutiful captain.
When we finally make our way back to the locker room, Coach doles out some rare praise before reminding us to stay the fuck out of trouble. By the time he tells us to hit the showers, my brain is on auto-pilot. I wash up and when I get back to my locker, Reid’s trying to convince Coop to grab a bite to eat with him and his father.
I run a towel through my hair, drying the shaggy locks. I’m in desperate need of a cut, but I like the way it feels when Sutton runs her fingers through it, something she tends to do while we’re lying in bed.
My skin pebbles at the thought of her nails scraping against my scalp, and it’s impossible to suppress the shiver that races up my spine.
“Dude, you need thicker skin,” Vaughn says, buttoning his jeans. “It’s not even cold in here.”
“My skin is just fine, fuck you very much.” I throw my towel at him, but he deflects it and it lands on the bench in a soggy white lump. “In fact, it’s perfect for California where the championship game will be played.”
“I know that’s right!” Smith chimes in, extending a fist to me. I bump it as Vaughn kisses his fingertips and points to the sky. “Where you celebrating tonight?”
“I’m keeping it low-key.” I grab a pair of boxer briefs from my locker and slip them on. “My parents are taking me out to eat.”
He looks at me like I’ve just announced I’m going to dip my balls in hot wax.
“Yeah, man. But what’re you doing after?”
