Page 9

CHAPTER 9

SCARLETT

T he energy in the stadium is electric. Fans decked out in team colors fill the stands, their excited chatter creating a constant buzz of noise. I’m sandwiched between Autumn and Cooper’s sister, all of us wearing our team gear.

Cassie looks around in awe. “Even though I came to the season opener, I’m still amazed how packed it is.”

I grin. “I love how crazy it gets at kickoff.”

Autumn leans in. “You should see it during playoffs. This is nothing compared to that.”

I nod, trying to imagine an even more intense atmosphere. My eyes drift back to the field where the players are warming up. I spot Cooper easily, his number eighty-nine jersey standing out. He’s throwing passes with Rogan and Griffin.

I wave and nudge Cassie. “There he is.” He raises his hand in acknowledgement before his focus returns to warming up.

“How is it living with your brother?” I ask. I’m curious about their relationship. The idea of having a twin has always fascinated me.

“We get along well. We give each other shit, but it’s all in a good-natured way. He never makes me feel like I’m sponging off him, which I appreciate.”

“I don’t know Cooper that well, but from what I’ve experienced, he’s kind and considerate,” I say.

Cassie nods. “He’s both of those things and so much more.” She leans over and whispers, “I know about your arrangement.”

I nod. “He told me it was your idea.”

Her eyes light up. “It was.”

“Hopefully, we’ll be successful pulling it off.”

“I saw the pictures taken of you at that charity event, and you looked pretty damn convincing to me.”

“Really? I have to admit it was weird having hundreds of people I didn’t know staring at us.”

“I bet.” She shudders. “It’s horrifying just thinking about it.”

Autumn leans forward, looking around me at Cassie. “How do you like living in Virginia?”

“It’s okay. I haven’t made many friends yet, at least not outside of my workplace. But I don’t really want to hang out with people I work with. If that makes sense.”

“Actually, it does. I don’t hang out with the people I work with either. It’s nice to have that separation between your place of employment and your refuge,” Autumn says.

Cassie nods. “Exactly.”

“Where do you work?” I ask.

“At a cafe in Virginia Beach.”

“Oh really? Which one?”

“Beach Vibes.”

“I’ve been there. It’s got a great vibe,” I say.

“And great coffee,” Autumn adds. “I wish the food was better, though.”

“Autumn.” I say her name in a scolding manner.

“What?” she asks.

“It’s not nice to insult the place she works.”

Cassie laughs. “I don’t do the baking there. If I did, it would be much better.”

“Then maybe you should,” Autumn says.

Cassie smiles with a considering look in her eyes. “Maybe I should. I’ve been thinking about suggesting some new recipes to the owner.”

“You should,” I encourage. “If you’re passionate about baking, why not share your talents?”

She nods, looking thoughtful. “You’re right. The worst she can say is no.”

“Exactly,” Autumn agrees. “And who knows, maybe it could lead to bigger opportunities down the line.”

Our conversation is interrupted by the announcer’s voice booming through the stadium, signaling the start of the game. The crowd roars as the teams take the field.

A surge of excitement runs through me as I spot Cooper jogging out with the offense. Even from this distance, I notice the determined set of his shoulders.

“Go, Cooper!” Cassie yells, cupping her hands around her mouth.

Autumn and I join in, cheering loudly.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please rise for the national anthem,” the announcer cuts in, silencing us, along with the rest of the fans.

We stand with the rest of the crowd, hands over our hearts as the anthem plays. The energy in the stadium builds as the song concludes, and the teams take the field for kickoff.

“Here we go!” Autumn shouts excitedly as our team lines up to receive the kick.

The ball sails through the air, and the crowd roars as our returner catches it and starts sprinting up field. He makes it to the thirty yard line before being tackled.

The crowd erupts as our offense takes the field. I spot Cooper lining up at tight end, his stance radiating intensity even from this distance.

“Oh my God!” Cassie squeals. “He didn’t tell me he was starting.”

“I didn’t know either, but it makes sense considering what an asset he’s been in the first two games.”

The first play is a handoff to the running back, who gains a few yards up the middle. On second down, Rogan drops back to pass. My gaze locks on Cooper as he runs his route, breaking free from the linebacker covering him.

“He’s open,” I shout, jumping to my feet.

Rogan fires the ball and it spirals perfectly into Cooper’s waiting hands. He turns upfield, gaining another ten yards before being brought down.

“First down,” Autumn cheers, high-fiving both of us.

“That’s my brother!” Cassie whoops proudly.

The drive continues with a mix of runs and short passes.

As the offense marches down the field, the excitement in the stadium builds. Cooper makes another catch for a first down, drawing cheers from the crowd.

“He’s on fire today,” Autumn exclaims.

I nod in agreement, unable to take my eyes off Cooper as he lines up for the next play. There’s something captivating about watching him in his element, his movements fluid and purposeful.

The ball is snapped and Rogan drops back to pass. Cooper breaks free from his defender, sprinting toward the end zone. My heart races as I see Rogan wind up and launch the ball deep.

“Go, Cooper!” I shout, jumping to my feet along with Cassie and Autumn.

The ball arcs through the air, seeming to hang there for an eternity. Cooper stretches out, his fingertips just grazing the ball as he manages to haul it in.

The stadium explodes in cheers as he spikes the ball and is mobbed by his teammates. I’m still on my feet, screaming and jumping up and down with Autumn and Cassie.

“That’s my boyfriend!” I yell without thinking. Autumn gives me a questioning look.

As the celebration on the field dies down, Cooper jogs back toward the sideline. Just before he reaches his teammates, he stops and looks up toward our section of the stands. Even from this distance, I can see the huge grin on his face as he points directly at us and gives a little bow.

“Did you see that?” Cassie asks, yanking on my sleeve. “He totally acknowledged us.”

I nod, my heart racing. “Yeah, I saw.”

“That was so sweet of him,” Autumn adds, smiling knowingly at me. “Looks like someone’s feeling pretty good about his fake girlfriend being here,” she whispers teasingly.

I elbow her playfully, but I can’t keep the smile from my face. “Oh stop it. He’s just excited about the touchdown.”

I try to ignore the flutter in my stomach at Cooper’s gesture. It didn’t mean anything. He’s just playing the part of the devoted boyfriend for the cameras. But a small voice in the back of my mind whispers that maybe there was something more behind that smile and point.

When halftime rolls around, the score is tied with both teams having ten points on the scoreboard. The three of us stand and shake out our legs for a few minutes before we sit down once more.

Autumn lets out an audible sigh. “If the Silverbacks don’t win this game, Rogan is going to be devastated.”

“Cooper too,” Cassie says.

“Think positively. It might not be an easy one to win, but they’re tough. They’ll fight to the end. Besides, they’re playing so well.”

By the end of the fourth quarter, the Silverbacks look like a different team, and not in a good way. Our defense can’t seem to stop the run and our offensive line keeps breaking down, leaving Rogan scrambling for his life. I’m regretting my earlier words about them playing well and hoping I didn’t jinx them.

“Dammit. I hope I’m not bad luck,” Cassie says.

“Don’t fall into the superstitions that so many fans do. Your being here has nothing to do with them falling apart in front of our eyes.”

“The other team’s coach must’ve given them one hell of a pep talk at halftime. They’re playing so much better now,” I say.

“I don’t know what Rogan’s going to be like after this loss, since they won their first two games, but he’s super competitive, so…” She trails off.

“He’s gonna need some cheering up, for sure,” I say.

“Maybe I’ll drag him right to bed and distract him,” Autumn says, laughing.

“Sex is the universal cure all, right?” Cassie asks.

I nod. “It certainly won’t hurt the situation.”

“I hate to do this, but I need to get out of here. I have a work shift. It was great meeting you two, and I’m sure I’ll see you at another game soon.”

“It was so nice meeting you also,” I say.

“Have a good night at work,” Autumn says, pulling out her phone to post game updates on the Silverbacks social media pages.

Cassie wiggles her fingers in a wave and rushes off. Cooper’s sister seems to be as nice as he is. My gaze returns to the field, locating him sitting on a bench with his head lowered. His disappointment is obvious, and I wish there were a way to reassure him.

The last snap of the game is played out with their opponents taking a knee.

“That sucks,” Autumn says, still typing on her phone.

“One hundred percent suckage,” I add.

“You might as well get out of here,” she says.

“You think?” This is uncharted territory for me. If he were my real boyfriend, I’d stay and wait for him to come out. But with our arrangement, the normal rules don’t apply.

“Yeah. Why shouldn’t you? There won’t be any after-game celebration today.”

She’s right. Why shouldn’t I?