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Melanie patted her knee. “He’s got this, no question about it.”

“I can’t imagine how he’s feeling right now,” she said. “The pressure is killing me and I’m not even out there.”

“Tyler is so chill though,” Blake said. “He never loses his cool.”

Rory’s mind flashed to the night of the party that summer, at the fierce way Tyler had pulled her into his Jeep, shoving a water bottle at her chest. “I beg to differ,” Rory mumbled.

She noticed Calvin studying her briefly, almost like he was trying to read her mind. She glared at him before turning her attention back to the field, watching as the boys lined up at the 15-yard mark. Tyler was now heading for the side of the field closest to the stands and the cheerleaders, setting up in a runner’s position.

The cheerleaders were about finished with their cheer, briefly stepping into one of their stunts. Zoe was at the center again, bracing herself on the shoulders of her two squad mates before getting hoisted up into a hold. They held on to her ankles firmly as she stood at the top of the pyramid, waving her pom-poms and hyping up the crowd. She lifted a leg and turned into an arabesque. But before she could shift and stick the landing, one of her base’s knees gave out, his body slowly crumbling to the ground.

Fans gasped as Zoe fell back. Tyler sprinted from his spot, the ref whistling furiously at his early start. Only he wasn’t running down the field but a few feet off it as he bee-lined for the cheerleading squad, lifting his arms out and catching Zoe before she could hit the ground.

Rory watched in stunned silence as the crowd went absolutely apeshit. She stood alongside the other Scoopers to get a closer look, watching Tyler on his knees as he held Zoe. He was speaking to her as he got to his feet, Zoe still cradled tightly in his arms. She looked panicked for a moment as she glanced up at Tyler, but he gave her a reassuring smile, saying something else that had her visibly relaxing. Then she flashed a huge grin to the stands and waved, letting them all know that she was okay. Everyone was chanting “TY-LER CHAP-MAN” like he was their hero.

Rory realized how tightly she was holding her breath. Zoe fit perfectly in his arms, the two of them a shiny spectacle on the field.

“Well, there’s no question about it now,” Blake said. “We’re about to lose him to royalty.”

Chapter Four

Haverport won the game. Of course they did, right? After a moment like that, where the football captain catches the damsel-in-distress cheerleader falling from the sky? If high school were a test, this kind of cliché outcome would earn an A+.

And all the while, Rory was forced to sit in the bleachers and watch.

She kept the facade up throughout the rest of the game, cheering as Tyler immediately scored another touchdown, even after his five-yard penalty for running early to catch Zoe. Haverport was able to hold off Garrison’s offense for the rest of the game, almost as if the team had some kind of collective jolt of energy making them downright unbeatable on the field. Then, in the last quarter, with just thirty seconds left, Tyler faked a play as Walker darted from behind the line of scrimmage. Tyler defended his run, blocking any player from getting to Walker so his teammate could score the winning touchdown.

Everyone in the stands went nuts—again—screaming and blowing air horns and dancing to the marching band’s songs. Rory clapped her hands and hollered like everyone else, but inside, she didn’t feel like celebrating. Especially as she watched Tyler like a hawk as he ran past the cheerleaders. He lifted Zoe around the waist with his right arm, spinning her in a hug before returning back to the team.

High school, she thought bitterly. The story was just writing itself.

She should be happy for him. Wasn’t she just moments ago thinking that Tyler deserved this kind of recognition and praise? Yet she couldn’t shake the nausea roiling in her stomach and the bitter taste filling her mouth.

It’s really not a big deal, she tried telling herself. This will all blow over.

After the teams lined up to shake hands and the marching band blared their final few songs of the evening, everyone in the stands cheered as they watched Penelope Fairweather strut onto the field, clutching a microphone. It was tradition for the senior class president to announce the Homecoming King and Queen—even if she was the one to win herself. Which, if Rory read Penelope’s tight and cordial smile correctly, it seemed Madam President wouldn’t be taking the crown.

“Haverport High, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for!”

Cheers exploded in the stands. Rory clapped as the football team line up behind Penelope. Tyler was laughing at something his teammate just said to him, looking elated after their win.

“It was a tight, tight race this year,” Penelope said. “But after an…influx of last-minute votes,” she continued, her words blanketed with subtle resentment, “we were able to determine a clear winner for this year’s Homecoming Queen and King.”

The crowd silenced as they watched Penelope dramatically open a navy-blue envelope like it was an award show. Rory rolled her eyes.

“This year’s Homecoming Queen is…” A sigh broke up her speech. “Zoe Clark.”

Everyone whooped and howled as Zoe nodded and gave her sweet-like-honey smile. One of her squad mates reached over and removed the white bow in her hair to make room for the tiara a quivering freshman delivered. She graciously let the girl place the tiara on her head, her ponytail bouncing playfully as she stood up and twirled for the crowd.

“And now, our king,” Penelope said, her words cutting off the oohing and aahing. “And this year’s Homecoming King is…Tyler Chapman!”

Rory didn’t think it was possible for everyone in the stands to scream louder than they did when they won the game…but she was wrong. The sound that came from the crowd was like the roar of a beast, their movements just as wild. She screamed along with them, holding so much pride in her heart.

Tyler’s jaw dropped slightly at this turn of events. A few of his teammates slapped his back and pushed him forward to receive the gaudy crown now heading his way. On the other side of the line, Walker crossed his arms, his face stony.

But any joyful feelings faded away as she watched Tyler and Zoe in their sparkly crowns join hands and lift them up to the stands. Rory’s stomach turned further when Tyler leaned over and whispered something in her ear. She nodded at whatever he said, and in a swift movement, Tyler knelt down so Zoe could get on his shoulders. She raised her arms in triumph as he stood back up, his grin infectious.

They were stunning together.