Page 27

Jack

W alking away from Allie was like pulling my insides out and leaving them on the ground at her feet.

She makes me want things I’m in no position to have right now. I’m not a young man. I’m not a free man. I have a family of siblings who look up to me, a whole team of boys needing me to be a strong leader, and a school that trades on my reputation as fair and unbiased.

I’d sacrifice it all to spend tonight in her arms.

Fuck who knows. Let them say what they want, call me compromised, thinking with my dick. Fuck it all. I want her.

I hear her voice, and my body catches fire. I see her pretty eyes, and my muscles tense. I touch her, and desires dormant for so long in my body come raging to life.

Walking back to the restaurant, I think about all the times we walked down the aisle together. My head lifted a little higher with her by my side. I’ve always been a proud man, but she completes the circle.

Our first night showed me just how much she completes me .

She fits me like a glove.

Eight more weeks.

My phone hums in my pocket, and I take it out, hoping it’s her. We don’t text each other much, just a word now and then, a beacon to let her know she’s always on my mind.

If she texted me to come back to her, I’d do it.

Instead, it’s my brother.

Zane

Remember when I was home and healing from my injury and Rachel kept reaching out to me?

How could I forget? You were stubborn as a damn mule.

Zane and I are the closest in age, and as the two oldest, we’re pretty practiced at giving each other shit.

Zane

And you told me to get my head out of my ass.

Actually, I told you to try CBT.

Zane

You said I had happiness right in front of me, and not to be afraid to take it.

That’s good advice.

Zane

Then follow it. You gave up a lot when Dad died, taking care of all of us, making sure we were all okay.

You helped.

Zane

Still, everyone looked to you, and you did a great job.

Thanks, bro.

Zane

Those days are over now. You don’t have to watch over us anymore—we all have someone. It’s time you have yours.

Lifting my chin, I exhale deeply. How many times have I thought this?

I hear you.

Zane

Don’t let that Powell asshole get you down. If you want the woman, take the woman.

Not you, too. How many times did you buttheads watch that movie?

Zane

The Three Amigos is a classic. Seriously, though. It’s your time, and we all have your back.

Thanks, bro. Love you.

Zane

Back atcha.

Levi plays like he’s going straight to the pros, completing passes, evading sacks, making first downs on every turnover. It’s clear the other teams haven’t had a chance to study him, and he’s taking full advantage of it.

Garrett’s work with the D-line pays off, and between Levi’s performance and their ability to hold the line, we beat the Lions 21-7. It’s the biggest win we’ve had against that monster team, and I’m sure we’ll pass them again on the road to the championships.

Our next game is on the road, and I brace for the shit I’ll catch putting Austin in the starting spot.

He’s ready. He’s been on the bench grinding his jaw and looking like a sad puppy for two weeks. Still, he’s been a good sport, cheering on his team and supporting them as he watched Levi make play after play, listening to George in the stands loudly proclaiming his son a star.

It’s been hard on him, but he’s shown his character. He’s a leader, and I’m not letting anybody pressure me to keep him on the bench.

I’ve struggled with my own particular torture, watching Allie on the sidelines with my sister and Liv. She must’ve bought a few more of those little cheerleader skirts, because it’s all she wears now, and the heat in my blood is a low simmer at all times.

As ordered, she sent me a picture of her in my jersey. Only it wasn’t just a picture. She was on her stomach in her bed. Her silky brown hair was styled half up and half down, and those glasses were perched on her nose.

Her head was tilted to the side, red lips curled in a naughty smile, and the best part? Her ass was completely bare, the jersey was bunched high around her back, and the way she laid gave me a healthy view of the side of her round breasts.

It’s possible I’ve jerked off to that photo more than a few times. It’s possible I’ve closed my eyes in the shower and jerked off to the sight of her on all fours swallowing my cock more than a few times.

Now, riding the bus to our first out-of-town game, she’s all I can think about. Not the stress of parents who might be pissed at me for starting Austin. Not the stress of how he’ll play, getting back in the game for the first time in weeks.

It’s only Allie.

I like your skirt.

I hit send, huffing a laugh through my nose.

The boys cut up in the back of the bus, teasing and giving each other shit. They’re amped up to play, but I’m amped up to see her again. I want to see her smile when I put Austin in the game, and I want to see her smile when our eyes meet.

DLS

Thank you, Coach.

I’d like it on the floor of my bedroom.

DLS

Along with my underwear.

My dick jumps, and I shift in my seat, pushing it down with my hand.

Even better.

DLS

Seven more weeks.

The Trojans win the toss, and Austin comes off the line on fire. Noah is ready for him, and he fires a tight spiral right down the line into the running back’s arms. They don’t waste time.

Moving like they’ve been playing together all season, they get in formation without a word. It seems he took my short warning about lip readers to heart.

Another snap, another ten yards for the first down. The plays come swift and strong, and we’re all the way at the goal line when the home team seems to realize what’s happening.

Austin attempts to run up the center, and he loses a yard. George Powell is quick to growl complaints from the bleachers. I’m not calling a timeout this early in the game.

Instead, I’m standing on the sidelines, arms crossed, jaw tight as I trust Austin to follow his instincts. He goes for the center run again, and again, they’re pushed back.

We’re at fourth and goal, and Austin looks at the sideline where Levi is watching. They exchange a nod, and Austin turns to call the play. He’s got this, and I’m proud there’s no animosity between the boys.

The snap happens, and Austin falls back. Scanning the end zone from left to right, he hops on one foot as the rushers close in on him. My throat tightens, my mind on that ankle.

His face lights at once, and in a blink he fires off a pass to Rich, who’s waiting just past the goal line. It’s a little high with a slight wobble, but Rich runs back, doing a little hop and easily plucking it from the air for the score.

The visitor’s side erupts into screaming. The cheerleaders go up on their partners’ shoulders, and my gaze finds Allie.

Her smile is so big. She’s clapping and jumping up and down with my daughter right beside her, kicking her little leg and yelling for Austin.

Our eyes meet, and she stills, holding her hands in front of her mouth. With a subtle move, she presses her fingers to her lips and blows me a kiss. It’s the simplest thing, but it hits me right in the chest. A punch of pure joy.

It’s not an easy game, and every time the home team makes a touchdown or nearly intercepts a pass, I hear George growling from the stands. It almost becomes a joke, until we’re all the way to the end, with the score showing 20-21, the Trojans ahead.

My back is tight, and we have possession. As hard as Austin’s tried in the final moments, they’ve held him, leaving us with twenty-five yards to the goal and a fourth down.

He signals for the timeout, and I nod. It’s our last time out, but we don’t have time to waste. Jogging to me, he pulls off his helmet.

“Put Eddie in the game, Coach.” Austin’s tone is confident.

My chin pulls back, and I look over to where Rome is pacing, chewing his thumb and looking nervous. Edward is calm as always. He actually seems to be doing math in his head as we talk.

“Are you sure?” I meet my favorite quarterback’s eyes, and he nods.

He’s sure as sunrise, and I exhale, looking down at the turf. Zane is in the box tonight, and Buddy is on the sidelines with Garrett.

I look at Austin one more time. “Think he’s ready?”

“I’ve been watching him practice, and he’s good. Coach Zane would tell you. He can do this.”

If we’re going to do it, now’s the time. I wave to Edward, and he jogs to where I’m standing with Austin.

Reaching out, I put my hand on the top of his shoulder pad. “Austin thinks you can make the field goal. Want to try it?”

Edward’s brow lowers, and he looks from the 25-yard line to the uprights. “I’ve been practicing from the thirty at home.”

“Get out there and win this thing.”

Edward nods, pulling on his helmet. The announcers explain what’s happening, and a hush falls over the visitors’ side as he runs onto the field with Tyreek serving as holder.

Keeping my expression neutral, I cross my arms. Austin is by my side, helmet off and swaying from one foot to the next.

“You got this, Edward!” he shouts in his low, teenage voice.

The boys line up, and the home defense gets in position. I glance at the sidelines, and every student’s face is worried. I’m glad they all care, but I confess, I’m nervous.

If something happens to Rachel’s little brother, I’m going to feel like shit. Not to mention the shit I’ll catch.

The home team is jumping up and down and yelling, doing all they can to create a distraction. Edward seems to zone out, stepping side to side then doing a little trot forward and practice kick.

The boys line up. My stomach knots. Tyreek catches the football and brings it down after the snap. Edward’s expression is straight focus as he does a little jog forward and a practice kick.

Our side of the field erupts into screaming. It’s a straight line, directly through the center of the uprights, and we won it. Edward backs away, watching the win, and Tyreek is on his feet, jogging to him.