Page 21

AMELIA

It’s been a few days and you may be wondering if I’ve stopped thinking about the kiss.

The answer to your question is no. Not even close.

I quickly change into a pair of jeans and slip on a white tank top. Caleb’s on his way up, and I take a deep breath. Caleb and I need to kiss during his first game because the engagement will be at its highest so when Soft Muse uploads our video, it’ll cause a ripple effect.

Thud

Thud

Thud

The knocks snap me out of my thoughts and I open the door for him as his cologne fills my apartment instantly, a mix of amber and spice. He’s also wearing his glasses again, backwards hat, carrying a small backpack, and grey sweatpants.

Don’t look down. Don’t look down. Don’t look down.

My eyes betray me anyway. What the hell is going on with me right now? A few kisses and I’m already acting like a teenager.

“Hi, Caleb.”

“Hey, pretty girl,” he murmurs, taking off his shoes.

We sit down and I shift uncomfortably on the couch, my eyes drawn to him. I quickly look away, focusing on anything else to distract myself. His face? No. His chest? No. The little birthmark on his tanned neck? Absolutely not helping me.

“Amelia, you’re drooling.”

I blink and wipe my chin frantically. “Uhh, what?”

“I’m joking.” That infuriating smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. “What’s on your mind?”

Warmth seeps up my neck. What’s on my mind? Oh, nothing…just thinking about how I can’t wait to kiss my best friend again. “I was thinking of some ways we can pull off Sunday.”

“I’m all ears.” He reaches up, biceps flexing as he adjusts his hat, my eyes can’t help but follow the movement.

“This Sunday,” I say, trying to reel myself back in and not get off track, “you’ll need to call me your girlfriend during the press interview. You’ve never said it publicly, so when you finally do, it’ll stir things up again.”

He leans back, spreading his arms along the top of the couch. “Girlfriend,” he echoes, his eyes flicking to mine. “I like the sound of that.”

I cough lightly, and straighten up. “Right…and shout out Driftwear too, wear one of their shirts after the game.”

“Anything else?”

“And you need to kiss me when the game ends.”

“Yes, ma’am.” His Adam’s apple bobs. “I do have one request, though.”

“Request?” I tilt my head.

“Wear my jersey.”

Next Sunday comes fast. Caleb’s already at the stadium getting ready, so it’s just Tia, Maya, and Amir piling into the shuttle he arranged for us. I sleek down my hair in a low ponytail, edges are swooped. Half of his #1 jersey is tucked up, flashing a little midriff paired with denim baggy jeans.

Back in high school, I used to show up to his games with a foam finger, screaming my lungs out from the bleachers. Now I’m wearing his name across my back and it feels nice.

“You look amazing,” Tia gushes, nudging me with her elbow as we step into the shuttle. Her wispy bangs styled as the rest of her hair falls over her shoulder in a loose French braid, and a Vipers bomber jacket.

“Like super gorgeous, if you need a fake girlfriend I will gladly apply,” Maya adds chuckling. She’s in baggy ripped jeans sporting a Vipers cap with gold jewelry.

“You two look beautiful too. I might have to ditch Caleb,” I tease, settling into my seat.

As the bus veers through rush-hour traffic, it takes about thirty minutes for the SoFi stadium to come into view. My nerves twist into small knots when the sound of cheering fans grow louder with every mile. I clench my fists in my lap, leaving half crescent shaped indents in my palms.

This is the first time we’re doing something like this in front of everyone. The entire stadium. Sure, we’ve walked around holding hands but this? This is intimate. And there will be many eyes on us.

Including the most important ones, Driftwear and Soft Muse.

Amir leans over, patting my shoulder. “Hey, it will be fine. You got this.”

“Thanks.”

As we pull into the stadium lot, a sea of yellow and blue jerseys floods my vision. Fans are yelling, waving oversized signs, foam fingers, and chugging beers as they funnel inside.

When the bus rolls into our designated spot, Tia and Maya both reach for my hands.

Tia whispers. “It’ll be over before you know it.”

“Fake it till you make it,” Maya adds with a wink, giving my hand a squeeze. “We’ll be at our seats, I’ll order you a beer, you’re gonna need it.”

I step out of the shuttle and feel two large hands land on my shoulders. I whip my head around, startled, and find an older man with an earpiece, a Vipers lanyard, and a crooked smile looking down at me.

“Hi ya, I’m Randy. Caleb told me to come get ya as soon as your shuttle pulled in.”

“Oh hi, I’m Amelia,” I manage to say as he hurriedly ushers me into an Authorized Personnel Only entrance. He leads me through a maze of endless hallways, twisting and turning until we reach a sleek lounge tucked away from the noise.

“I know exactly who you are,” he says with a teasing grin. “I couldn’t scroll two posts without seeing ya two on my feed.”

“Sorry about that.” I chuckle.

Randy lets out a deep, throaty laugh as he leads me inside the private VIP players’ lounge waiting area.

Plush ruby leather chairs, a mini fridge stocked with every sports drink known to man, and a foosball table in the middle.

A couple of players I recognize are lounging around and some doing high-knee stretching.

He gently squeezes my arms. “Be right back,” as he speed walks to wherever he needs to go.

Caleb’s sitting on the singular plush couch, lacing up his cleats. His head snaps up when the door slams behind us and all his attention is on me. “You’re here,” he says finishing up, stepping closer.

Was he always this …attractive? Everything he does now, even something as simple as tying a freaking lace is making me go crazy.

“It looks good on you.” His eyes rake over me, lingering on the way the jersey hugged my frame. “Really good,’ he adds, grazing his fingers against the spot where I tucked it under my bra.

I press my lips together trying desperately to ignore the way my pulse flutters as he splays his hand across my waist. His gaze is so intense, I’m torn between holding it or looking away.

Seriously, what the hell is going on with me.

“Thanks,” I mumble, biting the inside of my cheek. God, he’s making me nervous. In all nine years of knowing him, I’ve never struggled to speak. “Oh, um, don’t forget to kiss me…after the game.”

“I won’t,” he says, his eyes darkening just a little.

“Alright boys. Let’s go!” a man with salt and pepper gray hair shouts from the other side of the wall, disrupting our moment.

“I’ll let you finish.” I turn to walk away but Caleb’s hand grasps my wrist gently.

“Stay where I can see you, alright?” His voice is gentle, but the intensity in his eyes makes my heart race.

I nod.

He reluctantly pulls his hand away and I take a step back, feeling his gaze burn into me. “Good luck out there.”

“You’re my good luck charm. We’ve got this.”

Randy appears out of nowhere, gripping my shoulders as if I might somehow drift away. “Cmon, let’s get you to your seat,” his voice chipper, steering me forward.

He maneuvers me toward the bleachers and I start to see some of the players slowly gathering near the tunnel.

The stadium roars around us. The screams, the chatter, the stomps of their feet against the metal bleachers.

I spot Tia, Amir, and Maya waving me over, foam fingers held high and their beers in the other hand.

This is the perfect seat. The row is low enough to be visible to Caleb over the railing. Jesus, this moment feels so real now.

“Enjoy the game!” Randy tips his hat, sprinting around the grey railing surrounding us to run along the sidelines.

Shortly after, the stadium lights flicker and fade, the metal beneath my feet begins shaking. The chorus of “Humble” by Kendrick Lamar blares through the speakers, sending vibrations through me.

Then, Caleb emerges from the tunnel, the first to step onto the field. His broad shoulders filling out the jersey, his confidence at an all-time high. I’m not looking at my best friend right now. This is Caleb Hayes, Top Rookie Quarterback.

The entire stadium instantly screams “Caleb, Caleb, Caleb!” I scream his name along with the other fans. The players sprint out further into the field and the screams only get louder. They break into a dance and I can’t help but laugh and dance with them from my seat along with Tia and Maya.

The game kicks off, and Caleb moves with ease.

He snaps into formation, scanning the field as his biceps flex with the first pass.

It’s spiraling through the air and right now he’s full on commanding this game.

I’m so beyond proud of how far he’s come, knowing how tough his father has been on him throughout the years.

I know this is Caleb’s home. His happy place.

During the second quarter, Caleb shuffles his feet left to right, observing the field for an opening. Damn it, there is none. Without a second thought, he bolts and my heart races. I spring to my feet, inching closer to the railing, my eyes locked on him.

He speeds through the defense, racing past the yard lines, and my palms are getting sweatier but I can’t look away. The opposing team closes in, pushing him toward the sidelines. He’s barely clinging to the edge of the white line, passing the 40-yard mark…then the 30…then the 20. He’s almost there.

One last defender dives, but Caleb sidesteps as one of the Vipers defense pushes him out of the way and Caleb tumbles into the end zone.

The announcer’s voice erupts over the speakers, “Caleb’s made a full run down the field, down the sidelines, into the end zone. TOUCHDOWN VIPERS .”

I gasp and sink back into my seat as if I was the one running the field. I forget how stressful being at a game is.

“Ow!” I yelp, reaching for my right arm.

Tia quickly pulls her arm back, realizing she’s been squeezing mine in a death grip. “Sorry!” She winces. “I might need to go to the bathroom until this is over. I’m overstimulated.”

Maya laughs. “Tell me about it.”

“Oh, come here.” Amir says, tugging Tia into his side. He wraps an arm around her, and she nestles against him.

Two quarters to go.

The game is coming to an end, the crowd begins to roar as Caleb looks around the field. This is the final play. If they don’t get this…it’s over.

24-24.

Caleb steps back scanning the defense. With one fluid motion he rears his arm back, throwing the ball, sending it spinning through the air like a missile. It had to be over 90 yards.

“YES!” Tia shouts.

The ball continues to soar and my heart is pounding. It’s aiming toward Marcus, and in a blink, he’s already in motion stretching his arms out. His feet move swiftly like clockwork. Defenders close in from every direction, but he fakes left, spins past one, then jukes right, dodging another.

“Go, go, go, go!” Amir begins chanting.

“He’s going for it!” Tia hops up, jumping up and down, nearly spilling her beer.

“Go Marcus!” We all scream in unison as he charges down the field. He passes the 30-yard line and just as we think he’s about to get tackled, he jumps over the defense, diving his body into the end zone.

“WOOOOOOOH!” the crowd erupts, the stadium trembling with energy.

The announcer’s voice booms over the speakers, “ What a play! 79 YARDS. Unbelievable! Marcus Reed made a clean dive in. Touch down Vipers!”

Marcus leaps up with a grin plastering his face, clutching onto the ball. He starts doing the Dougie, and soon the rest of the team joins in, celebrating their insane win. Caleb jumps on Marcus’s back, laughing along with everyone.

We’re all on our feet, clapping and screaming along with the crowd, the sound deafening. “Vipers!”

Caleb pulls his helmet off, brushing his hair back with a wide grin. He scans the crowd, and then his eyes lock directly with mine, as if I’m the only person here.

My breath catches in my throat as he jogs toward me, a camera now following his every step. Maya smirks nudging me closer to the railing. And there he is.

His gaze is steady, gripping his helmet by the guard with one hand. “Ready?” he asks breathlessly, tilting his head up.

My heart is pounding out of my chest as fans around us stare, pulling out their phones. I’m suddenly hyper-aware of how many eyes are actually on us.

“Yes.” I lean down over the railing.

Caleb reaches up, his fingers grazing the collar of my jersey, curling around the fabric giving it a tug. The noise fades as he closes the gap, our lips meeting.

The crowd roars loud, but it feels distant as Caleb’s lips move against mine. He grins against my mouth, the small movement sending shivers down my spine. Then he kisses me again, deeper this time.

This kiss is nothing like the last. Our tongues brush softly against each other’s and a quiet involuntary moan escapes me. I forget where we are for a second until he pulls back enough to look at me, his green eyes several shades darker.

He throws me a wink, then jogs back toward the team and my legs have turned into complete mush.

Maya spins me around, slapping her hands down on my shoulders, pulling me in and whispers, “You sure you two have only ever been friends?”

I swallow hard.

Tia has a hand covering her eyes, groaning. “Is it over yet?” Amir leans in, whispering something in her ear, and she hesitantly cracks open an eye before chuckling. “Seeing my brother kiss my best friend is not a sight I want to see. No offense, but all offense.”

Maya laughs, reaching into her pocket, swiping through her phone, and hands it to me. “There’s a livestream on the Vipers page.”

I glance at her screen, and the comments are flooding in so fast, my eyes couldn’t keep up with the pace.

Footballfanatic: Omg that was hot.

Calebsgirlfriend69: Nooooo!!!

Marcuswife_footballlover: AS LONG AS SHE DOESN’T TOUCH MARCUS I’M FINE.

Heat rushes to my cheeks.

Tia opens her own phone, scrolling through the comments. “You two have broken the internet.”

Everyone saw. Everyone knows.

I am officially Caleb Hayes’ girlfriend.