“Hannah, how could I be mad? You’ve almost single-handedly won the seniors this football team. You did awesome.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Thank you for playing. The best part—well, besides watching you make a 70-yard touchdown is having you wear my number.” I glance down at my spotless white powderpuff t-shirt with a bright red number ten on the front.
“Me too. This was fun. I’m glad I played.”
“Good. I’ll find you after the game.” Ford gives me a quick kiss.
“I think maybe I’ll go and help the juniors. I have more friends there, and they could use the help.”
46. Balloon Arch
After the powderpuff game, we head to the Lake Side Diner to celebrate with our friends. We’re the last ones getting there because Hannah volunteered us to put all the equipment away. She said it was only fair since her team won. Coach Eskelson gave her the winner’s trophy since she won the MVP of the game. She’s in love with the hideous thing. Hannah marches into the diner, holding it above her head. Our friends and even several of the other patrons clap and cheer for her. “That was great. I can’t believe I almost didn’t play,” she says, plopping down in the booth.
“How many touchdowns did you end up with?” Ty asks.
“Uh—I’m not sure.” Hannah glances at me.
I scratch my chin, thinking. “She had seven touchdowns, and when she did a Benedict Arnold and switched teams, she made three, but two of them were called back.”
“The game was a lot more fun when Hannah switched sides,” Leah says.
“I’ve never seen Melissa Ellis run that hard.” Aubrey laughs.
“That was funny,” Jack adds.
“It was not funny. She kept chasing me after I made the touchdown. I had run to and hide behind Ford.”
“That’s why it’s funny.” Jack laughs.
I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Let’s look at this from a positive standpoint. If there’s ever a zombie apocalypse, you’ll survive, because you’re so fast.”
“Thanks. That makes me feel so much better. Just know that if I turn into a zombie, I’m coming for you, Cross. We’ll live our best zombie lives happily ever after.” Hannah narrows her eyes at me.
“That sounds like a terrific plan.” I laugh.
Cameron picks up Hannah’s trophy. “Who made this dreadful thing?”
“Hey, it’s not horrible. It’s the prettiest football I’ve ever seen.”
Cam’s eyebrows disappear into his hairline. “It’s bedazzled, and it’s pink. It stopped being a football a while ago.”
I cough and cover my mouth to keep the water I just drank from spewing across the table. “It’s bed—what? And how the hell do you know that?” Hannah hands me a napkin, and I wipe my face and hands. My mishap makes everyone at the table laugh.
“Bedazzled. It’s—you know—what they call an object or clothing you cover in rhinestones.” A slow heat rash has streaked up Cam’s neck. My face would turn red, too, if I knew that. I look at Hannah, and she nods in agreement.
“How and why do you know that?” I ask Cam.
“Dude, you’ve met my mother. If it’s sparkly, glittery, or shiny, she owns it.”
I nod. “Okay, fair enough.”
Hannah snatches her trophy from Cameron. “You’re jealous because it’s mine, and you want one just like it.”
“Yeah, that’s not it.” Cam laughs.
Hannah’s quiet for a minute and then asks, “so, does your mom really have a bedazzler? And would she let me borrow it?”
Cam shrugs. “Yes, and yes.”
Hannah looks at me, arching an eyebrow. “Awesome.”
