Page 135 of The Love Playbook

“Damn, you must really love her.” Damon shakes his head, clearly unable to understand my motives, and I can’t help but think his ex must really have done a number on him.

“Okay,” Brandon says, stepping back. “Pretty damn good if I do say so myself.”

“Wow.” Jace nods in approval as he looks me over. “Not bad.”

“It’s about time to head out,” Damon says, glancing back at the clock. “Coach will be waiting.”

“Okay, boys. Let’s do this.” I lift the bottle of ipecac and unscrew the lid. “Bottoms up.”

Chapter 37

CHARLOTTE

It’s after noon by the time I get back to the dorms after tea with my father, which means the girls are already at the game. Ann Arbor plays Ohio State today, and though it should be a good game, I couldn’t bring myself to go. I’m not sure I can handle seeing Chris in his uniform, knowing he probably doesn’t want me there.

I plop down in the chair behind my desk and my gaze immediately falls to the playbook. I toy with the edge of the notebook while I think about everything we’ve been through. This whole time, Chris has been the one pursuing me, and even though I fell for him, my fear got in the way. I’d been too scared of becoming my mother, too afraid he’d wake up one day and realize I’m not enough.

But all of that is just bullshit. Because I’m not my mother. And I am enough.

I flip the playbook open, biting my lip as an idea sparks to life. Chris completed every single play in this book. Except for one: The grand gesture. Seeing as how I’m the only one who has anything to apologize for, it only makes sense that I be the one to deliver it, so what if I finished the playbook for him?

I glance at my alarm clock and note the time. If I hurry, I can make it before halftime, but if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it right. I might not have a lot of time to prepare, but a grand gesture means I need a declaration of my love.

Chewing on my lip, I mull over my options as my gaze sweeps over the room. My box of calligraphy supplies and markers catches my eye, along with the poster board for my science class, and I smile.

Retrieving the large white poster, I tear the photos off it, then flip it over and use a marker to write a message especially for Chris:Chris Collins is my #1 pick.With any luck, I can get his attention from the sidelines. Otherwise, I’ll have to wait until after the game.

Once I’m satisfied with the poster, I jump to my feet and make a beeline for my closet, flinging the doors open and yanking out my Griffins football jersey?the one with his name and number on the back. I purchased it after the weekend he stayed at my mother’s house and have been waiting to surprise him with it. Seems now is the perfect time.

I scramble to change, then dig in Samantha’s makeup bag, finding her face paint from Halloween, and draw a big blue and orange number twenty-four on my cheek, then take one last look at myself holding the sign in my floor-length mirror.

It might not be aRomeo and Julietlevel grand gesture, but I look like the girlfriend of AAU’s wide receiver, and the reference to football on the sign is cheeky and cute. Besides, the star-crossed lovers died in the end, so maybe when it comes to grand gestures, keeping it simple is the way to go.

With a deep breath, I swipe my keys off the counter and head for the door with a knot in my chest. “Here goes nothing.”

It’s the bottom of the third quarter by the time I arrive at the game, but there’s no sign of Chris.

I scour the field for him, searching the bench and the sidelines. I even watch the game for fifteen minutes before I concede defeat because there’s no sign of number twenty-four anywhere.

“Where the hell is he?” I mutter. I’m mystified at why he’d miss an important game such as this, but if anyone will know why he’s not here, it’s Brynn.

I trudge up the stands of the student section, feeling conspicuous with my massive sign as I climb over a group of girls to reach my friends. I can feel the weight of Brynn’s gaze the entire way until I finally plop down in the empty seat beside her.

With a huff, I turn to her to find her smiling as her violet eyes dance over my getup. “You look adorable.”

“What’s with the sign?” Liz asks, peering over Brynn to see it.

With a sigh, I turn it toward them so they can read what it says.

“Aw.” Brynn places a hand over her heart. “That’s so sweet.”

“He’ll love it,” Liz says before she and Brynn exchange a knowing look.

“Yeah, it’d be a real hit if he were here. Where the heck is he?” I ask, disappointed when Brynn shrugs.

“I don’t know,” she says with a long face.

“What do you mean you don’t know? He’s a college football player. Even if they get injured on the field, they get back out there. Where could he possibly be?”