A laugh bubbles up in my chest.
He turns, and on the back of his shirt is written Kerr and a giant number one. “I had to come cheer you on.”
“I don’t understand,” I say. “You’re supposed to be at the showcase.”
“I didn’t want to miss this.” He steps forward and takes my hand, holding my fingers loosely in his. “And I needed to ask you something.”
“What?”
“First, I need to say something. I’m sorry about last week. I panicked. My whole life, soccer has been everything. I’ve failed in other relationships because I thought if anything got in the way of my drive to be the best, it would ultimately cost me everything I wanted. Then you made me believe I could have both. I wanted that so badly I blocked out any idea that it wasn’t true. But when the team lost, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d been wrong. Maybe I’m not a guy who gets to have it all.”
“Vaughn.” My voice breaks on his name.
“I had to sit with it and figure out who I am and what I want.”
“And?”
“I don’t have it all figured out.” His lips curve into a small grin. “But I do know that out of all the things I’d do differently now, you aren’t one of them.”
Relief spreads slowly through me, making my arms and legs shaky.
“I’m better with you. Not worse. I see that now. When you’re in the stands or by my side, I feel like I can do anything. I can’t fail with the best damn cheerleader in the whole world rooting for me. And if I do, then knowing you’ll be there the next time will keep me pushing to be better. I want more than to be the best soccer player in the world. I want you with me while I do it.”
I think this is what shock feels like.
“I’m not saying I’m going to be perfect at it, but I want to try to be the boyfriend you deserve.”
A laugh slips from my lips. The giddy kind that comes out in an uncontrollable giggle. I beam up at him, still not positive I didn’t hit my head during the routine and I’m dreaming all this. “You already were. I don’t need you to give up everything. There are times we’ll both have other things to focus on. Cheerleading, soccer, school, friends. We can navigate it together. I’ll be your cheerleader if you’ll be mine.”
He nods.
“One last thing.” He makes a pained face that has me confused. He steps away, letting my hand drop and motions to Rowan and Austin standing a few feet away. I didn’t even realize they were there.
Grinning, they both come forward. Vaughn moves between the two guys. Austin and Rowan squat with their knees together and Vaughn places one hand on Rowan’s shoulder as he climbs up.
“Oh my gosh.” I cover my mouth with one hand and watch in a fit of giggles as Vaughn does a thigh stand. Then he lifts the poster up over his head and turns it around to show the back of the sign:Lacey, Cheer me up and go to Homecoming with me?
Nodding, I drop my hand and step forward, shouting up at him, “Yes!”
He jumps down with a cocky smirk.
“I cannot believe you did that.” My heart is beating so fast, and I can’t stop smiling at him. No one has ever done anything like this for me before. “You even used glitter!”
“Yeah, my dad’s SUV will never be the same.”
He tosses the sign to the side and then scoops me up into his arms. The crowd cheers and behind me I can hear the football team taking the field for the second half.
He covers my mouth with his. In the background, the rest of the squad starts a cheer. I should probably join my squad…
Just as soon as he’s done kissing me.
Chapter Forty-one
Vaughn
“Wow. You look…” I run a hand along my jaw, so I don’t say something super inappropriate in front of Lacey’s dad.
The light blue dress is fitted up top and see-through around her stomach and back. The skirt is short and looks like it has about a dozen layers of lace.
