Chapter 52
Dasher
I’m dripping in sweat as we make our way to the locker room for halftime.
No one is speaking a word. The locker room is quiet until Coach Hart starts talking, “I know this is a rough team. I know you want to give up. We can’t do that.
We play until the end. Get a drink and think about how we’re going to make a comeback. ”
Tyler sits on one side of the bench, Victor on the other, all I can hear from them is their breathing. Jester hands me a cup of water, “you good?”
I pat my head, “I’m good.” I’m not good. My head hurts, Raine is here with a woman. We’re getting slaughtered.
But hey I’m great at lying.
The halftime ends and we make our way back out to the field. We’re set to receive, and I run out to the field, ready to go.
I look over to the stands. My parents wave, but it’s Raine I’m looking at.
Without a word, I take off. My teammates are calling after me.
No one knows where I’m going. I jump up and over the railing and keep heading up to the fifth row.
Everyone in that row scrambles out of my way as I grab Raine, kissing him hard—in front of the world.
The crowd is cheering as I pull away, “I miss you.” He pats my cheek, “come home.” Home. He is my home.
I nod at the woman, knowing I’ll hear all about it later. Raine points back at the field, “you have a game to win.”
I snicker, “I hope I can.”
He knocks on my helmet, “you can, and you will. Now go.”
I put my helmet back on and rush back to the field. Everyone is staring at me, though my teammates are cheering for me. I got a penalty for being off sides, but that’s because they didn’t have a name for what I did.
I glance back over at Raine and then call my play.