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“We are one week away from what will be an historic night of South Mountain Pioneer football. The state championship looms on the horizon, and while many in town are preparing for a trip to Hershey Stadium, questions remain about the health of Gunner Weston.

The Pioneers will need everything they can get from him, as they will be taking on the number-one defense in the state. This Allegheny Prep team boasts five All-State players on defense, including All-American safety Riley Davis. The defensive line averages over thirty pounds more than the South Mountain offensive line and is led by All-State defensive ends Ricardo Sampson and Benjamin Bishop. The offense for the Crusaders is engineered by State Player of the Year Tyrell Whitworth, who has set multiple state records. On paper, this game seems like a mismatch at every position---it’s not a surprise that the Crusaders have dominated every opponent they’ve met this year.”

**********

Hailey glanced over at Gunner as he settled into the passenger seat.

“Sorry,” he said as he flipped off the radio. “I was listening to you, I swear.” He motioned to the bags in the back seat, clearly trying to change the subject. “I think we got enough treats, though. I just hope both our sisters will be willing to help us out.”

He laughed and reached over with his right arm, patting one of the bags they had placed on the floor.

“I hope so,” Hailey said. “I am so excited to see the lights tonight. I hear they’re beautiful.”

She noticed a small wince when he sank back into the seat.

“Yeah, me too.” He took a second to catch his breath. “My family has always loved the Hershey Lights.” He let out an audible exhale, adjusting the sling under his letterman jacket. “But I swear I was listening to you.”

She turned on the car. The heat immediately kicked on to combat the chilly air outside.

“I think it’s great that your sister is going back to school. I know how difficult that has to be for her, but I also know how proud you must be.”

So proud.

Even the cold breeze that whipped around her car couldn’t wipe Haliey’s smile away. The thought of her sister enrolling in classes and getting her life back together had been a constant topic of conversation lately---she hoped she had not bored Gunner with it.

“Should I turn down the heat?” She noticed that he was struggling to take off his letterman jacket.

“It’s fine,” he said. “Just, you know, with this stupid sling, it’s hard to get comfortable.” He threw the jacket into the back and took another peek at the candy. “But, for your first time up this way, I actually think you showed some restraint with the chocolate. I’ve watched my mom and sister come out with way more.”

Hailey giggled under her breath. A slight pause for him to readjust allowed her time to admire the sprawling building behind them.

What a magical place.

The large glass windows sparkled in the sunset, and she could not help but smile at the thought of how wonderful the day had been. The tour through the chocolate factory, the endless shopping for sweets, and, of course, the pictures she had in her back pocket from the photo booth were a perfect complement to each other.

So much fun.

She slid back into her seat and exhaled. Another gust of wind shook the car. The cold, crisp air in her lungs brought back memories of Saturdays shopping on Fifth Avenue in New York with her mother and sister. She could see them now, laughing and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate as they strolled through Times Square. It had been different in California. The warmer winters made it easy to stay outside, but this frosty chill felt more familiar. It reminded her of a simpler time in her life.

Home.

She opened her eyes when a car door slammed nearby. She noticed that Gunner’s attention was being drawn away from her, into the distance.

What is he thinking about?

“Hey,” she said softly. “What are you looking at?”

She followed his gaze to a large stadium structure, which was lighting up the night.

“Sorry. I was spacing out again. It’s just…” he flashed a timid smile before lowering his eyes. “That’s Hershey Stadium. That’s where we’ll be playing Friday night.”

Wow .

The large, vanilla-colored pillars reached high into the sky, propping up bleachers that stretched from one end of the field to the other. The lights spread four-wide, spotlighting whatever was being showcased below. The front parking lot spanned at least a mile and led to multiple ticket booths.

“That is big for a high school stadium.” She leaned closer, still admiring the coliseum architecture of the venue.

“Well, they host concerts and other large events in it as well.” He sniffed and cleared his throat. “But every December, they host the football championship.”

He painfully propped himself on the center console, right next to her now.

“Have you ever been inside?” She put her hand on his leg, trying to avoid his injured shoulder.

“Yeah.” He started to play with the sling. “I have.” He glanced back at the stadium. “My dad…my dad and I used to go to the state championship games every year.”

Stupid Hailey, why did you bring it up?

She pulled away sheepishly and began to take off her own coat to buy time.

Stupid!

While they had spent a lot of time together over the last few months, he had rarely mentioned his father. She knew what that was like. The first year after her mother passed, she had difficulty even speaking her name. For him, it was still fresh, and he would tell her when he was ready. But now she had accidentally rushed into it, possibly ruining the special day they had together.

“Gunner, I’m--- ”

He waved his hand, shifting in the seat to face her.

“You know…” His green eyes were particularly vivid today. “You have told me so much about your mom and your sister. I feel like, I don’t know---” He widened his eyes, exhaling through his pursed lips. “I haven’t really told you anything about me or my dad.”

Is he ready?

She steadied herself as he pointed down to the stadium.

“Every year, my dad and I would go to the state championship together. We would climb to the top of those high bleachers and stand against the concrete slabs at the back.” He closed his eyes. “We would analyze every play. I mean, we would really analyze them, like, go over what each player did right and wrong on every snap.”

He laughed to himself, opening his eyes and peering back down at the stadium.

I love it when he laughs.

The butterflies were twirling as she watched a more genuine smile grow on his face.

“After the game, we would stop and get something to eat. We would talk even more about the games, and we would laugh and joke.” He exhaled, his minty breath dancing in front of her, almost teasing. “Last year…” He rubbed his hand against the sling. “Last year, after we lost in the state semi-final, I couldn’t bring myself to go to the game with him.”

Oh no.

Regret and sorrow spasmed across his face.

“I wish…” He shivered, but she knew it was not from the cold. “I guess I wish I would have gone now. ”

Hailey wanted to say something. She wanted so badly to be able to let him know that she understood what he was feeling. She had felt the same way about her mother.

“What you said the other day…” His face still held sorrow, but now she could see strength breaking through in his eyes. “I know it’s not easy for you to go out on the stage, to be the lead without her here.”

He knows.

He rotated further toward her, grabbing her hand.

“But seeing you up there---” He looked back over at the stadium.

“Gunner.” She finally pushed the words out. “When I am onstage, I know she is with me.” She brought his hand up and kissed it. “That field, that is your stage.” She squeezed his hand tightly, and he returned the pressure. “And I know your father will be with you.”

His head fell back against the seat. He paused for a second before a warm, bright smile joined his whisper.

“And so will you.”

I cannot do this anymore.

She jumped across the center console, trying to avoid his injured arm. She cupped his face and pushed her lips against his.

Wow!

She had dreamed about this moment for so long, about how it would feel and what his lips would taste like.

This is better than I thought it would be.

A tingle percolated throughout her body as he wrapped his right arm around her lower back. And when he slipped his tongue inside her mouth, a low whimper escaped .

So much better!

Back in August, she had hated Gunner Weston. She had hated the monster that he represented and the arrogance in every step he took. But now, after everything they had been through, he was all she could think about. He was in every dream she had and every thought that popped into her head.

I can’t stop.

His lips moved to her neck. The butterflies had disappeared, and a new feeling overtook her body. A fiery desire in the pit of her stomach brought a chill up her spine. She entangled her fingers in the shirt he wore.

I don’t want to stop.

He had finally done it. Gunner had finally opened up to her and found the strength she knew he had. The strength that had helped heal his town, his football team, and her family.

“Hailey,” he puffed.

Did I do something wrong?

She had absolutely no idea what she was doing and instantly began to regret moving so quickly.

Does he not want this?

“I’m sorry, I…” She was embarrassed, her face hot, as she slid back over the console.

I am so stupid!

Before she could settle into the seat, he gently grabbed her chin and lifted her face to his.

“That was the greatest first kiss I’ve ever had. ”

Man, he is good.

Her heart skipped multiple beats as he brought her close. She could feel his heart pounding, his grip on her back, a mix of emotions that were fighting each other.

“This has been one of the greatest days of my life.” He was so sure of himself that she could not help but pull him tighter. “You deserve something much more special than this.”

Oh.

Hailey knew what he was talking about, and looking around, she realized this was probably not the best place for their first kiss. They were in a parking lot---people were moving back and forth between the cars.

OK, maybe a little stupid.

“I’m sorry.” She blushed, leaning away and smoothing out her shirt.

“Don’t be,” he said, not letting go of her hand. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.”

Me too!

She took a few seconds to catch her breath, then put the car in drive and slowly inched it out of the parking lot.

“The light show is going to be perfect,” he said, never taking his eyes off her. “Just like you.”

Her face was burning again, and she fought the urge to pull the car over right then and there and kiss him some more. She knew the feeling she had inside her now, what it all meant. She could not fight it anymore. She didn’t want to. She wanted to scream it to everyone who drove by, every person in the parking lot.

I LOVE GUNNER WESTON!

********* *

“Ten minutes, guys!” Coach Bianchi’s voice rang through the bus, knocking Gunner out of his trance.

Focus.

He had been thinking about Hailey again. Every night before he went to bed and every morning when he woke up, she was on his mind.

That kiss…

It was unlike any kiss he'd ever had. He had felt so many things while it was going on, and he was still trying to make sense of them all.

“When we get to the stadium, grab your bags and go to the locker room. We’ll head out for a quick walkthrough to get used to the turf before suiting up.”

Coach Bianchi’s eyes moved to where Gunner was sitting at the back of the bus.

Does he know we kissed?

That was all they had done, and even though it took every ounce of strength for Gunner to stop himself, he knew he had to. Maybe in the past, he would have let it happen in that car, in that parking lot. It had been getting dark, and the crowd had been dispersing.

But Hailey deserves perfection.

She was special, and if these mixed-up feelings inside his stomach were what he thought they were, then he was going to make sure he took it slow.

But not too slow.

“Gunner.” His coach started to make his way to the rear, steadying himself as the bus hit a bump. “Gunner, when we get to the stadium, I want you to get with the trainer immediately. ”

OK.

The eyes of his friends jumped to him.

“Start stretching it out, and let me---”

“Coach,” Gunner interrupted, “I’m fine. I’ll get it stretched out and be on the field for the walkthrough.”

He adjusted the sling, the tightness bringing an uncomfortable grimace to his face.

“I need you to be honest with me, Gunner. I am not putting you out on that field unless---”

“I got this, Coach.” Gunner stood up, leaning forward so only his coach could hear him. “I have never felt better.”

Well…

The two stared at each other in silence, their eyes locked, even when the bus hit another bump.

Maybe I lied a little.

While his body felt fresher than before the season started, this miraculous recovery had nothing to do with his shoulder or football.

“Alright then.” Coach Bianchi nodded. “I’ll see you on the field.”

He started back to the front, spinning to face Gunner one more time with a slight smirk on his face.

What was that?

Gunner sat down, throwing himself against the seat.

“I haven’t seen him smile like that before,” Ty noted, turning to look out the window.

Yeah, me neither .

“Hey, G.” His best friend flexed his arm as if he were preparing to say something extremely important. “We want you to do something tonight.” Emilio and JT were peeping over the seat in front, and Andy was leaning into the aisle. “We want you to walk out on the field with us tonight for the coin toss.”

Guys.

“What?” He knew what they were asking, but given the circumstances, he was uncomfortable with the request. “Look, guys, we have won every game since I gave up being a captain and---”

“To hell with that superstition shit, G.” Ty slapped the glass window behind him. “We want you out with us. You earned it; you’re the captain.”

Emilio smacked his hands against the back of his seat. “El capitan! Forever, G!”

His friends all nodded enthusiastically, appearing to expect an answer right away.

I don’t…

They had all gone quiet. He was searching for the words, but all he could hear was his father’s voice in his head.

Moments, Gunner, life is about moments.

“You know,” he said, moving his eyes up to meet theirs, “playing with you guys all these years, all the moments we’ve had on the field together…” He laughed quietly and rubbed his neck. “I think I’m going to miss this the most.”

Gunner began to scan the bus, sensing the calm but quiet anticipation of what was ahead of them.

“Just hanging out, being with you guys. I know, I know. That probably sounds super sappy for this moment but--- ”

“I’ll miss your mom’s pregame meals.” Ty interrupted. “The pancakes and the spaghetti dinners.”

He was grinning now, his teeth flashing in the afternoon sun.

“I’ll miss you guys wrecking my house every weekend,” Emilio chuckled as he grabbed the back of his seat again. “But I guess I’ll really miss just having you guys over.”

Agreed.

“The feeling after a win but also just hanging out after a loss. Either way…”

Gunner squeezed his friend’s shoulder, barely making a dent in his letterman jacket.

“Your house was always chill, Emilio.” The whole group leaned in together. “I know we all---"

“I’m dating your sister, Emilio!”

Shit.

Andy’s shout caused Emilio to tense under Gunner’s grasp.

“You what?” The burly linebacker tried to hop through JT, who pulled Andy away.

“Hold it, big boy!” Gunner needed some assistance from Ty, who jumped in.

“Not a good time, AG! We talked about this shit, and we said we would do it at the right time!” Ty yelled as he struggled to keep hold.

“Wait!” Emilio stopped and shot a piercing glare at them all. “You all knew about this?”

He had a perplexed and shocked expression on his face .

“Well,” Gunner said, smirking, “it was pretty obvious, man.”

Emilio now twisted to Andy, who had scrambled back into his seat.

“I just thought…” Andy hesitated. “I thought we were telling each other everything. I thought we were having, like, a moment.”

Gunner could not help but laugh, even though Emilio’s glare remained.

“I’ll miss that one moment…” JT said, now staring up at the roof of the bus. “That moment before you step on the field. When you take one last deep breath, block all the noise out.” Emilio had relaxed back into his seat. “You go over everything in your head---the first play, the last play---and you just…exhale.”

JT returned his eyes to his friends. Some of the players further up the bus had turned to listen.

“At that moment, when you let out that exhale, you just feel so free.”

Gunner tilted his head, the image clear in his mind.

“You do it with all your teammates next to you, and you can feel them all do the same thing.” JT took another deep breath before peering around the bus. “That’s what I’ll miss the most, I think.”

Yeah.

A quiet nod, shared between all the boys, led to a moment of reflection.

Me too, JT.

The bus began to slow, the pillars of the entrance to the stadium growing larger as they approached.

OK.

The bus fell completely silent.

It’s not about the outcome, Gunner .

He closed his eyes, listening to the breathing of his teammates.

But the fact that you took it.

He stood up, feeling the eyes of the bus move to him as he undid the clip to his sling.

Tight, but not too bad.

Walking to the front, he caught the eyes of his coach.

“Go get that thing tested out, Weston.”

He nodded and turned, smiling at his teammates.

Moments.

This was the last time he would ever play with this team. This was the last time he would ever wear the uniform that he had grown up idolizing. As he glanced to the back of the bus, he locked eyes with each of his friends. The ones that he had played with since he was six years old.

“We do it together, boys.” He leaned over and smacked the front of his coach’s seat with his left arm. “We take our moment together!”

He slapped it again, over and over, refusing to grimace at the pain that was daggering through his shoulder.

“What do you say, boys?” He came to a stop and waited for an answer.

“How about…” Ty stepped into the aisle. “How about we go win state!”

His best friend’s scream sent the bus into a frenzy. One final spin brought Gunner eye to eye with his coach.

Let’s go win.