Page 136 of Catching Kyle

When I open my private suite door, Zendaya and Tom Holland pop out of their door to congratulate, and I swear now I have to be dreaming. But when Amani, Skye, and Josue wrap their arms around me, I know that this is indeed sweet reality.

“Congratulations,” Amani says, squeezing me tight.

“Okay,” Skye says. “But now you need to write something like this. Because I don’t know what can top it.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Josue says.

I pull away from them, both laughing and crying.

Jessica approaches me and gives me a light hug. “I’m happy for you.”

I squeeze her hand. “You’re a true hero here,” I say. “You chose to be so kind to Kyle. And me. Thank you.”

She blushes. “He’s a nice guy, and you seem like one too. It was the right thing to do.”

I squeeze her hand one last time, then take a moment to stand there and bask in the joy, Sloane Michaels singing in the background. Here I am: with friends I call family, now with a boyfriend. And it’s so much better than I could have imagined back in college.

“Well,” Amani says. “Now all that’s left is for the Tigers to win.”

My stomach jumps. “Shit. I forgot about that.”

“Come on,” she says gesturing to our seats. “Let’s go cheer on your boyfriend.”

I smile at the word. Because now I can actually say out loud that Kyle Weaver is my boyfriend.

Chapter 50

Kyle Weaver

Thesecondhalfisabout to begin, and we’re all lined up outside the locker room to race back onto the field. The Vanguards deferred their choice to the second half, which means we’re kicking to them now. It’s still 6 – 14 with them in the lead, and they’re starting with the advantage.

I shake my head, trying to focus myself on this next half of the game. Coaches are pissed about my little performance, but there’s nothing they can do. And like I care. This is my last NFO game ever, and now I can retire with a gorgeous boyfriend in my arms—one that I can publicly say is mine. I just have this last game to get through, and I’m gonna give it my all—not for my daddy or anyone else, but for me.

I pat Ezekiel on the shoulder. “Thanks again, man,” I say. “For everything.”

He gives me a hug, our shoulder pads and helmets clanging together. “Any time, man. It’s a pleasure. And it was awesome to watch.”

I blush. “I wasn’t cheesy, was I?”

“Oh, you were, but it was perfect,” he says, grinning.

But we don’t get time to joke for long. It’s time. We all rush back out onto the field.

“Bring out that beast,” Ezekiel says. “Steal the ball. We’re gonna need it this half.”

He goes to the sidelines as I get in position with my fellow defensive players. And then, before I know it, we kick the ball, and the game begins.

* **

We get into position. There’s only thirty seconds left on the clock. We managed to score a touchdown, bringing the score to 12 – 14, but we missed our extra point. The Vanguard’s have possession of the ball, and it’s their second down. If they really pushed it, they could score another touchdown and lock in their win.

Unless I intercept the ball.

But I don’t know if I can. I’m exhausted due to both the game and the anxiety from my plan to confess my love to Michael catching up to me. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret it in the slightest. But I could definitely use a hot shower, burger, and nap in that order right now.

The center snaps the ball. I try to break through the line, but their center sees me coming and keeps me in place. The quarterback hands the ball to their running back, and he runs out to the side in what looks like the wide open. No. He’s gonna score. But just before he breaks away, one of my guys tackles him to the ground. Thank God.

We quickly get into our next positions. This is their first down, and they’re less than twenty yards away from the goal line. This game is all but over.