Page 45

CARSON

The crowd is insane, the noise thunderous as we run onto the field. I never wave or do any of that shit. I want to stay focused on the game. But today I find myself looking up into the stands. Really looking, not just glancing.

I spot Zander’s parents with Sienna and Zoey. The little cutie’s wearing earmuffs and waving like crazy. Zander waves back and blows kisses to his little girl.

For a second, I feel bad that I didn’t invite Mom. She probably would have made the effort to come if I hadn’t implied that I didn’t give a shit what she did over Thanksgiving. Johnson probably would have persuaded her not to bother, though. Prick.

My throat gets tight, and I look away from Zander’s happy family as I walk to our side of the field. My eyes dart back into the stands because I can’t help myself, and I see her. She’s like a fucking beacon, shining bright just for me. Her smile is so beautiful, I nearly trip over my own feet.

Don’t look. Just don’t fucking look!

It’s not like I can blow kisses into the stands now, can I?

Nylah’s my secret.

And I’m hers.

No one can ever find out what we get up to in her dorm room. My life will be over if it gets out. The Football Frat guys all know this, which is why they haven’t said a word to anyone. Thank fuck for their discretion.

Spinning away from the stands, I bounce on my toes while Zander and the other captains walk out to the middle of the field for the coin toss.

We lose and set up for the kickoff. Their receiver calls for a fair catch, and our defensive team runs out onto the field. I stand with Grady on the sidelines as we watch the guys defend our turf. They’re on fire, and the Hawks only gain eight yards before we force a turnover. Fucking yes!

Hyped up, I run out onto the field and form a quick huddle with Zander. I already know the play he’s going to call, because we’ve been over this a thousand times in the lead-up to the game. Coach had a pretty clean plan, and it looks like the Hawks are gonna let us execute it perfectly.

“They’re a predictable team, men. And we’re gonna take advantage of that.”

“Got it?” Zander looks around our group. “Okay, break.”

We run into position and my legs are jiggling, excitement coursing through me as I eye up the guys who want to take me down.

Not today, assholes. I’m gonna score me a touchdown.

I know it doesn’t work like that. I can’t dibs a touchdown.

At the end of the day, it’s about what’s best for the team, and I won’t screw up the game just because I want to get lucky.

Knowing Nylah, I’ll get some no matter how I play, but I am going to work my fucking hardest to cross into the end zone, because I want to score a touchdown for this woman.

And I get close, three times, before finally—in the last quarter—the ball lands right in my hands, and I’m able to pivot around a Hawks defender and jump over another guy.

“Go!” Monks yells at me, and I shadow him as he throws players out of the way and enables me to cross that line to a thunderous roar. The crowd goes fucking wild as I slam the ball down on the turf, then raise my hands in the air.

Shit, I want to point into the stands so bad.

I want to find Nylah and let her know that was just for her.

But I can’t go giving myself away.

And so, as Grady jumps on my back with a loud cheer and the other guys come running at me to celebrate, all I can do is steal a quick glimpse of my kitten, jumping around with her siblings and celebrating with a smile that is to die for.

Oh yeah, I’m gonna get so lucky tonight.

Fucking yes!