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“That will do it for our post-game coverage of tonight’s game, Pioneer fans. A fantastic 30-21 win for our young men was capped off by Malcolm Bailey, who returned his first career interception for a touchdown! I can only imagine how that kid is feeling!”

**********

“Tony D’s tonight, Bailey! It’s your night! We’re putting you on the table, baby!” Emilio screamed as he ran around the lockers.

Poor Bailey.

“Great game G.” JT was grinning as he stepped up to his locker.

“Nice catch on that touchdown.” Gunner slapped his hand.

“Well, I couldn’t let AG show me up tonight,” he chuckled. Andy gave a thumbs-up while getting dressed. “Hey, um, G?” JT’s voice had dropped to a whisper. “Did you, um, did you get a chance---"

“He still in there?” Ty’s locker remained empty, and Gunner did not need JT to finish.

Shit .

Gunner clipped his watch to his wrist as he moved around the wooden bench in the middle of the room.

“Hey, why don’t you and AG get the boys down to Tony D’s. I’ll take care of this.”

Andy had already sprinted from his locker and was trying to calm down Emilio, who continued to swing his towel.

“Yeah, sounds good to me.” JT nodded and joined the group.

Is he still cramping?

Gunner walked toward the showers where his best friend had headed after returning from the trainer’s room.

“Ty?” Gunner could see him quietly standing in a towel, facing the tiled wall. The shower was off. “Hey Ty, you OK?”

What’s going on?

Gunner pulled his shirt over his head and slowly entered.

“I’m…I’m fine, G.” Ty turned away, and Gunner knew he was lying.

He’s crying.

In all the years they had been friends, Gunner had never seen Ty cry. Even at his father’s funeral, Ty had been right next to him and hadn’t shed a tear. Since Charlotte didn’t show up, he was Gunner’s rock that day.

“Yo, Ty.” Gunner grabbed his friend’s shoulder. “Hey, Ty, come on, man, talk to me.”

After a few seconds, Ty turned to face him.

“I’m sorry, G.” He dove into Gunner’s chest. “I’m so sorry, G!”

Ty !

He squeezed his friend’s shoulders. The two remained in their embrace as the locker room emptied out on the other side of the wall.

Come on, say something.

“No, man,” Gunner finally whispered. “I’m sorry.”

“G, don’t do that!” Ty broke away and started pacing through the showers, his flip-flops echoing off the wet ceramic floor. “I’m sorry you couldn’t talk to me, man. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

No, Ty, it was me!

“What…what do you mean?” Gunner stammered softly.

“You needed me, G.” Ty took a few steps back. “You needed me, and I was too damn focused on football and…and on Charlotte!”

What!?

Gunner put his hand back on Ty’s shoulder.

I don’t care about Charlotte.

“Ty,” Gunner inhaled. “I was the one who screwed up. I should have told you how I was feeling. You’re my best friend, Ty, and I was the one who forgot that. I mean, you’re right. I am still lost, man. I have no idea what I’m doing or what is going to happen next. I still need you, Ty.”

He chuckled a bit, bringing a small grin to Ty’s face, too.

“Well…” His best friend wrapped him up in another hug. “You could have fooled me, G. The guy I’ve been playing ball with seems to know exactly what he’s doing.”

Really?

Gunner perked up as they started out of the showers .

“You know, G, your dad...you were right about what you said.” The locker room was empty when they entered. “He was like a father to me. I mean, you know I love my pop, don’t get me wrong. But with my dad in the military and traveling so much, Coach W. was always there when I needed him.”

I know, Ty.

The mention of his father made Gunner take a deep breath. The memories of the two friends spending nights together, as his father told football stories, were enough to bring on a small headache.

“Like, growing up, your family…I mean, living across the street from your family was everything, man. Your mom always helped out my mom while my pops was gone. You and me fighting off all those guys trying to talk to P!” They both laughed. “Now, man…” They both sat down on the wooden bench. “Man, with him gone, I guess…I guess I just miss him.”

Me too.

The two sat in silence. A fan kicked on in the background.

“Yeah, Ty, I know.”

Believe me, I know.

“Your dad would be pretty pissed at me if he saw how I’ve been acting lately, wouldn’t he?”

Gunner stood and opened up his locker.

“I think he would have been proud of how you helped Bailey tonight.”

Ty nodded and joined his side.

“The kid can play, G. He’s a better corner than I am.”

Gunner shut the door and began to swing his keys .

“We couldn’t have won this game without you, Ty.”

His best friend quickly got dressed. The two didn’t say anything else until they stepped out of the locker room.

“Thanks for sticking by me, G. I know I haven’t been the best teammate or friend---”

“Look.” Gunner stopped. “There is no playbook for this. For what happened, for what’s going on.” Ty’s eyes hit the floor. “I have no idea what I’m doing, but I know as long as I have you guys, my teammates, my brothers, I know we’ll figure it out.”

His best friend slowly raised his eyes to him and grinned.

“And Hailey.” The name froze Gunner. “I see it, G. The way you look at her.”

What!?

Gunner could feel his face getting red, and he immediately started for the exit.

“I…don’t know what you’re talking about.” He tried to move faster, but Ty grabbed his shoulders.

“Why don’t you just ask her out, G?” The words sounded so simple and easy.

He had thought about it. In fact, he had thought about it every night since he met her, but asking Hailey on a date could put the play and his relationship with his coach in jeopardy. He knew his reputation around school, and he had heard the rumors that were already going around about the two of them. The thought of the embarrassment Hailey must be feeling was making his chest tight again, and he had to flex his hands just to get a good breath.

She doesn’t need me .

She needed friends, not some monster like Gunner trying to fulfill a stupid teenage crush. Plus, she had made it very clear that night in the auditorium that she would never be able to trust him.

“I can’t,” he finally mumbled. “You don’t understand. She has been through so much, and her family…I just can’t do that to them right now, Ty.”

The hallway was silent for a moment.

“Well, look at this.” Ty laughed. “My boy finally took the plunge.”

No way!

“Ty, that is not---"

“Look, G,” Ty interrupted as they pushed out the door. “Maybe the old Gunner wasn’t right for someone like Hailey. I mean, look dude, she’s different.”

So different.

“But you’re not the same guy either, trust me. The old G would have just given up on this game and went back to Charlotte or some other cheerleader who was ready to jump into your car.”

Gunner’s skin crawled at the thought of Charlotte in his car.

“But this Gunner…” Ty leaned back against his car. “This Gunner has already put her first, above himself. G, I think you already know what that means.”

Shit.

Gunner’s throat was dry, and he was unable to swallow. He did know what that meant, and he now knew what had been frightening him most of all. He had never felt this way about any girl before, and, of course, he had to pick Hailey as the one.

I am an idiot .

“I screwed up as a best friend once, G.” Ty opened the car door and allowed Gunner to slide in. “But I’m not going to do it again. I got the perfect idea. You just let Tyquan Carter handle it, and you just be Gunner Weston. The new and improved Gunner Weston.”

New and improved?

“Where are we going?”

Ty jumped into the driver’s seat.

“We’re going to make a pit stop before Tony D’s. Trust me.” He flashed his patent smile. “I got this.”

Gunner’s mind raced as he thought back over their conversation and what Ty was going to do next.

I can be a friend.

Gunner nodded to himself as the car kicked into drive.

I can be a good friend.

He could be a friend to Hailey. He could be there for her onstage when she needed him, and if she needed to talk, he could listen.

How hard could it be?

**********

“Come on, Hailey!” Juliana shouted as she made her way to the pizza parlor.

Why did I say yes?

She was mumbling under her breath when they opened the door and the noise from inside the restaurant practically knocked them over.

“BAILEY! BAILEY! BAILEY!” The chant got even louder as they stepped inside .

WOW!

Students from every grade were packed into the room, laughing uproariously. Pizza littered the tables. She immediately recognized most of the football team and was shocked to see them all together, holding someone up on a chair.

“My brother is so dumb!” Juliana screamed over the noise.

This is insane.

She tried to play along and laugh. She followed Emilio and the other players holding the chair around the room as the player on top gripped tight with a mix of pure joy and fear.

Absolutely insane.

She had never noticed how large the pizza parlor’s dining area was. The sprawling space was lit by small chandeliers. The booths against the back walls were now filled with laughing students, and a few others danced by the large tables in the middle. In the past, she had been so set on getting out that she had missed just how homey it felt.

“Juelz!” said the owner, sprinting around the counter.

“Tony!” She kissed his cheek and gave him a hug. “Did my brother break anything yet?”

Tony snorted and shook his head. “Tell me again, how are you two twins?”

Juliana flicked her wrist teasingly.

“Remember, Tony, I got all the good qualities.”

The man chuckled. His eyes had now found Hailey, who was trying to shrink down behind her friend.

“Hailey, right? ”

He knows my name?

His grin widened, and he extended his pudgy hand.

OK.

She forced a grin and returned the shake. The warm tenderness of his hand helped ease some of her growing angst.

“Sorry about all of this.” He had to lean down so she could hear him. “I normally run a calm and clean establishment. However, Coach Weston always wanted a safe place for the students to go after games, so…” He waved his arms around, his dirty apron flapping against his bulging stomach.

“Well, it seems like everyone is having a good time,” Hailey said as JT and Andy flashed by. Their excited screams brought a genuine smile to her face.

“So.” Tony pushed the boys away and leaned back down. “Juelz tells me you are going to be playing the lead in this year’s musical.”

Oh boy.

Hailey inhaled sharply before nodding.

“Well, let me tell you.” He pointed at the football players, who had started to dance in the middle of the room. “I cannot wait to see how you get these boys to perform. But I am sure, between you and Ms. Summers, you will get the best out of them. Juelz has told me great things about you, and to see what your father has done with this football team…” He collected himself before finishing. “We are just really glad your family picked this town.”

This is new.

Hailey’s face was getting red as the man in front of her beamed. He seemed different from when she had come in earlier in the semester. He was happier, and his eyes were less tired. She could tell why she had heard so much about him. His face was gentle and caring, like an uncle who would sneak cookies to you when your parents were not paying attention. Keeping his restaurant open late for all these students seemed like it would be a burden, but his joyful grin made her believe that he truly loved it.

“But Hailey,” he said, putting his finger up in the air, “your father always comes in and orders the salad. So, before you leave,” Tony yelled over the commotion as he went behind the counter, “I will whip you up one of my world-famous pies. You can take him one home on me!”

He winked, and she blushed even more.

That is so---

A crash in the dining room caught everyone’s attention.

“God damnit, Emilio! This isn’t your house!” Tony was yelling, but his grin showed that he was enjoying every minute of what was going on. “Now I am going to make you---"

“Hailey!” His voice, ringing out from the other side of the pizza parlor, pulled her away.

Gunner!

She pressed her shirt down against her jeans as he maneuvered through the crowd. A few students parted so he could wiggle by.

“Juelz!” he said, hugging her friend when he arrived.

“Gunner! What a game today!” Juliana smiled slyly.

“Yeah, well, closer than we were hoping for, but a win is a win.”

“Is Peyton here?” Her friend was already making her way toward the other students, as if she had planned this escape well in advance.

“Yeah,” Gunner said, pointing to a booth in the back .

“I’m just going to say hi.” Juliana winked at Hailey and took off into the crowd of students.

Wait!

She knew what Juliana was doing, and by the smirk on Gunner’s face, so did he. Her insides were beginning to swirl, and as she watched Gunner nervously shift in front of her, she could not help but do the same.

“So,” he said, slapping his hands together, “you came tonight.”

She shifted from one foot to the other, holding on to the hem of her shirt for dear life.

“Yeah, Juliana picked me up, and, well, it was fun.”

Stop fidgeting with your shirt!

She was breathing quickly, her palms becoming sweaty.

Wait, what is going on?

His friend Tyquan had started motioning something to Gunner from a distance, and she could not help but try to get a better look.

“Does he want something?” She tilted her head, noticing that Brad had joined him, along with a few cheerleaders. “And is he talking with Brad?”

“Yeah, well, Ty is something. But I actually think they’re trying to catch up on the practice that he missed last week.” Gunner laughed. “Hey, do you think we can go somewhere quieter to talk?”

Talk?

It was as if her body was on autopilot. She nodded, and he led her further from the crowd.

I shouldn’t be doing this .

“Sorry about that. Just…just a little noisy over there.”

He was anxiously fiddling with his fingers. He was a little taller than her, and his deep green eyes caused a shiver to run up her spine when they locked down on her.

“So, um, hey, tomorrow night.” His face was getting red. “Tomorrow night, the drive-in is having a special showing for the musical. I was wondering...”

No way, Hailey!

“I thought, since we’ll be, you know, together on the stage, that maybe we could watch it together, and you know, take notes.”

Take notes?

She ducked her head, giggling nervously.

“Ha, yeah. Dumb, I guess. But look, I understand if you’re busy, and I know things are different in the movie, but Ty thought it would be a good idea to get them to show it for everyone so, I don’t know, we could build excitement for the play.”

Tyquan?

“Yes.” It just came out before she could stop it. “I don’t think I have any plans.”

What are you doing!?

“Should I bring a notepad and pen?” she joked. The butterflies were floating around in her stomach again, and she had to bite her lip hard to prevent another giggle from escaping.

“Well, I mean.” His face was growing nearly fire engine red. “You don’t really need a notebook, I just---"

“HAILEY!” Emilio’s shout interrupted them. “Watch these new dance moves that I’m going to put into that final number!” The two laughed as Emilio stomped on a table. His bulky body nearly tipped the wooden base with each move. “I’m going to make them remember the day Emilio Cortez became a clock!”

What a crazy guy.

Emilio grabbed Bridgette and pulled her up beside him.

“Will you look at that,” she said, spinning back to Gunner.

“Yeah,” he said distractedly. He seemed uninterested in the rest of the room. His eyes were fixed squarely on her.

“Hailey?” The voice made her jump in surprise. “Can a father have a dance with his daughter?”

JT!

The music was now blaring, and Andy and Juliana had begun dancing nearby.

She playfully questioned Gunner, who tipped his finger and bowed.

“I would never want to get between a daughter and her father.”

She dipped into a soft bow and then allowed JT to lead her into the dining area, which was full of dancing students.

What am I doing?

Instead of the typical dread, she was giggling as they hopped up on a table. Even though the entire room was now watching them, she could not help but continue to laugh.

“What is that!?” she shrieked as JT broke into a dance.

“Just putting a little Jefferson Taylor into it!” Again, she could not control her laughter. She peered out into the crowd and found Gunner standing with his sister, still staring directly at her with a large grin .

He looks so happy.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” Tyquan jumped onto the table beside her. He put his hand around her shoulders and pulled her close. “For those of you who may not know, I present to you our fearless onstage leader.” He dipped and kissed her hand. “Our lead!”

He spun her as a loud cheer echoed through the pizza parlor.

Our lead...

Hearing that had brought her so much anxiety over the last few weeks. The thought of going out on a stage again, without her mother and in this strange town, had seemed unbearable. But as she was spun once more by Tyquan, those anxieties melted away.

This is fun.

When Juliana and Andy joined them, the table nearly buckled. The entire group broke into laughter as they froze and held each other.

“I told you that you would have fun!” her best friend shouted, and they all waved to Gunner, still watching from below.

Fun.

The grin on her face now matched his.

I’m having fun.