The ref blows the whistle, signaling the start of the play. I glance down either side to see how the defense has lined up. They’re using zone defense, which is even better for this play. “Ready…Set…Hike.”
Spencer hikes the ball perfectly. I take a step back and turn to my right. Ty is there for the handoff, and it’s as smooth as butter. I glimpse number 25, Jack, as he plows forward, dipping his shoulder into a defensive lineman making a perfect hole, and Ty is gone, all the way to the end zone for a touchdown. The entire offense runs down the field, cheering. When I get to Ty, he cracks his helmet against mine. “First play, first touchdown of the season, baby,” he shouts. Then turns to Jack, knocking helmets with him. The crowd is going wild.
We jog off the field. “How’d you handle their D?” I ask Jack.
“They’re strong.” He curls his arm, hitting his biceps. “But I’m stronger.”
“Hell, yes!” This game is going to be awesome.
9. Like A Stroke
The band’s playing the school anthem when the buzzer sounds, ending the game. Everyone’s in a frenzy. We just beat Freeman 42 to 3. Leah, Aubrey, and I jump up and down, hugging each other. The Holy Trinity of LHS was amazing. Ford had a touchdown and only two incomplete passes, both because of holding fouls. Jack had one touchdown, two interceptions, and a quarterback sack. And Ty deserves the MVP award for the night. He had three touchdowns. The coaches ran the ball almost the entire night, and Ty battled Freeman’s very large, very muscular defensive line. He got squished twice, but got up like it was no big deal. I run out on the field searching for Ford, but it’s hard with so many people out here. I hear someone call Clark and turn in a circle, trying to find him. “Hannah,” Ford calls. I turn around, and he’s waving at me. I run up to him, but I stop a couple of feet in front of him, suddenly feeling awkward. “Come here.” He wraps his arms around me, giving me a quick kiss.
“Congratulations.” I jump up, giving him another kiss.
“Crawford!” his dad yells, motioning for him a couple of yards away.
Ford leans down. “Don’t leave. I’ll be right back.”
“I won’t.” Tyler and Jack are standing just over from Ford, and I run up to them. “You guys were amazing! Congratulations.” I wrap an arm around each of their necks in a hug.
“Thanks.” Tyler beams.
“Yeah, thanks.” Jack runs a hand through his wet hair.
Our family finds us, and the little boys tackle Jack and Tyler with hugs.
“You looked amazing out there,” my dad says, hugging me.
“Thanks.” I smile.
Beth grabs my shoulders. “Look at you. You’re beautiful, all decked out in glitter and paint.”
I wrap her in a hug. “Thanks.”
June runs up to me, putting her arm around my neck. “Hey, bestie, ready to spill your guts.”
We both laugh. “You know it.”
Ford finally breaks away from all the people and comes over. “Hey.” He smiles, taking my hand.
“Hi. You were—” But I don’t get a chance to finish.
Hank and Scotty run up to him. “You were awesome, Ford,” Scotty says excitedly.
“Yeah, the game was so good. I loved when you made a touchdown.” Hank jumps up and down.
“Let me get a picture of all of you.” Beth pulls out her phone, taking a step back.
I move to get out of the picture, but Ford wraps his arm around my waist. So, I stand with the guys and smile for the photo. “Now, one more of just the guys,” I tell my mom.
As soon as she’s done taking the photo, Ford grabs my hand. “You looked great out there cheering. How was your first official game as a cheerleader?”
“It was fabulous, thank you for asking, but no one was watching me. They were all watching the best quarterback in the state of Idaho.”
“Braxton Timms? He’s good, but I wouldn’t call him the best.”
I bump his shoulder. “Hilarious. Wrong team.”
