Page 24 of Off Sides

CHAPTER ELEVEN

jonah

Okay, this is it. The first game as a Big Bend Bear. You can do this. It’s not a big deal.

I breathe deeply as I stand on the sidelines with the whole team behind me, dressed in full uniform, holding the face guard of my helmet, my heart racing.

I’m not an idiot. All eyes are definitely on the new quarterback tonight. Everyone knows I’m Micah’s little brother. Speaking of Micah, he doesn’t look nervous at all. Which is just crazy.

I know how much pressure small-town football coaches have on them. For some people in this town, these Friday night games are everything. They shut down business to come to the games. Every Friday night is homecoming for some of these people. They’re already in their hometown, and they bank on every game being something exciting to watch.

It’s a lot of pressure.

I look to my left and see Calvin standing next to me in his blue and white uniform, his helmet on. But I can see his eyes—they’re right on me. I let out a slow breath and close my eyes for a moment, listening to the rowdy crowd around us. To the players hyping themselves up. To the coaches telling us to have fun out there but to keep our heads.

Oh yeah, I’ve got this. I’m Jonah Zimmerman. If there’s one thing I know—it’s football.

I open my eyes and see Calvin watching me closely, so I shoot him a quick wink and when the announcer shouts, “Let’s welcome our Big Bend Bears,” we all run out onto the field to the excited crowd’s shouts, whistles, and applause. I’ll never get tired of that sound.

The game is against Hayes, and I’m proud to say the score isn’t even close at halftime. It’s a spanking of epic proportions from us to them, and it’s a beautiful thing. In the locker room at the half, Micah grins from ear to ear, giving us all pats on the back and telling us to keep it up. But I can’t keep my eyes off Calvin.

He’s sitting on the bench, his helmet off, his hair sweaty—which to me is a sexy enough look on the big guy—but it’s his face I can’t keep my eyes off. He’s happy. He was having fun out there—blocking for me flawlessly. Their defense hasn’t had a chance tonight.

He catches me looking at him, and the slowest, most gorgeous smile falls over his face. So beautiful, it nearly knocks me over.

Whoa.

Head back in the game, Zimmerman.

The second half of the game is more of the same, and I’m on a high when we walk back into that locker room as the victors. It feels good to see my entire team pumped from the game. Everyone floating on that win.

I quickly strip and head for the showers, my arm sore from all those touchdowns I threw, but it’s the best kind of sore. I can’t look to my left because Calvin is there—naked and wet. I knew I was gay from a very young age, and I have always kept my eyes down in the locker room.

This is the first time I can say I’ve been tempted to look. But I rush through my shower and get dressed in record time because I know the faster I get dressed, the faster I can get Calvin all to myself.

He must have the same idea because he’s pulling his shirt on over his head the exact same time I am. I’m about to grab my bag and get the hell out of here when Adler pops up right in front of me. He’s shirtless still and smirking at me. “You coming to celebrate, QB?”

He actually sounds genuine. Must be the win that’s making him feel a little nicer tonight—but not a fucking chance. “Nah. I’m heading home.”

“What?” He looks like he’s actually disappointed. “You have to come celebrate with the team. We won.”

“Yeah, I don’t celebrate by getting shitfaced in some field.”

“No?” There’s that menacing shitheadedness I’m used to from him, looking over at Calvin and then back to me. “And what exactly do you do to celebrate?”

“I was thinking ice cream,” I say, not looking at Calvin. I wouldn’t give a fuck if this asshole knew I planned to spend the night with him, but I have a strong suspicion Calvin would.

Adler rolls his eyes and snorts like a furious bull. “Ice cream? What are you, five?”

“Don’t ever knock strawberry ice cream.”

“Dude, that’s the worst one.” I look over at Billy, who’s fully dressed, but he’s grinning kindly at me. I don’t get the sense he’s like everyone else on this team. “Everyone knows you celebrate with mint chocolate chip.”

I toss my head back on a hearty laugh. “That is a good choice, but I say go with a classic. Strawberry is where it’s at.”

He laughs too, and I think we broke Adler’s brain because he’s just staring at us both with a confused look on his face.

“Don’t die tonight. You’re not totally awful on the field, and we’d hate to have to replace you,” I say, thumping his shoulder with a good-natured pat and then walk to the door, kind of hating the compliment but liking that it was close to an insult too. I’m sure it’ll still get under his skin.