18. Gracelyn
CHAPTER 18
GRACELYN
H omecoming week in Thunder Creek is a holiday, just like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Stores close early and everyone in town has Friday off, except for students, teachers, and hairstylists.
The week’s super busy for me, what with all the ladies wanting to look their best for the big game and then the Hoco dance the following night.
No rest for the weary, I swear.
But this year, there’s a double silver lining brightening up hell week. For one, Sloane’s back in town with Cam, which is amazing and I can’t wait to squeeze her. And second, Mack and I are hard launching our relationship.
I’m excited and nervous about it at the same time.
Of course, Sloane already knows everything. From the first kiss to the embarrassing spaghetti supper with my mom, she’s been in the loop every step of the way. She told Cam, too, so at least I won’t have to backtrack and fill in all the details.
But other than Sloane, Cam, and my mom, I’m not sure anyone else really knows about the two of us. We’ve stayed home most nights, preferring sexy time over dinner dates.
That all changes tonight.
For the first time, Mack and I will be together. In public. Legitimately, not in an impromptu fake dating scenario to save face.
I hope I don’t throw up, I’m so nervous.
Spritzing anti-frizz spray on my hair, I run my fingers through the curls and pray it doesn’t so much as mist tonight. Even though we’re deep into fall, it’s still Georgia. Humidity’s high here practically year-round.
Satisfied with my efforts, I apply blush to the apples of my cheeks, then contour and highlighter. I swipe a taupe shadow over my eyelids and add a smoky effect with a slightly darker shade. Shaking my hand to dispel the nerves, I pencil on black eyeliner. Two swipes of waterproof mascara, a coat of pink lip gloss, and I’m good to go.
I smile at myself in the mirror, happy with the reflection. Hair and makeup are on point, and I don’t have to worry about my outfit tonight. I’m wearing my Thunder Creek T-shirt and my favorite pair of jeans with sneakers, just like everyone else.
Knock, knock, knock.
Hurrying to the door, I swing it wide open and there’s Sloane. She’s absolutely radiant, her face lightly tanned from the Florida sun. Her long brown hair cascades over her shoulders in loose waves and I’ve never seen her look happier.
“Eek!” I scream, jumping up and down and hugging my bestie with everything I’ve got. “Sloane! I’m so happy to see you! You too, Cam.” I pop my head around to acknowledge the handsome hulking football star of a fiancé standing beside her. He’s equally tan, every inch of him fit and muscular. They’re a picture-perfect couple, right down to the matching Thunder Creek T-shirts.
“Same, Gracelyn.” Cam shoves a hand in his pocket and waits patiently for the two of us to get all our hugs out. The man’s perfect, I swear.
“You ready to go?” Sloane asks when we finally stop squeezing each other.
“Yep. Let’s go.” I grab the keys and lock the door, then we all clamber into Cam’s Range Rover and head toward the high school.
“So, how’s Florida?” I lean forward, popping my head over the center console.
“Hot,” Cam says, rolling his window down. “But you can’t beat the beach.”
“Do you like the new team, Cam?”
He nods. “I do. The coaches are great and the guys are solid. So far, so good.”
“That’s awesome.”
Sloane swivels to face me. “Enough about us—what’s going on here?”
A blush creeps up my neck and I’m glad it’s dark outside. “Not too much.”
“Not too much?” Sloane squeals. “Except you’re dating my dad’s best friend!”
“Yeah, I didn’t have that one on my bingo card,” Cam says, sliding into the parking lot. “Mack’s a cool guy, though. Helluva a baller, back in the day. And he’s a great coach.”
I forgot that Cam worked with him this past summer. Mainly he trained with Coach Carter, but Cam practiced with the entire high school team before he got the offer from Fort Lauderdale.
“The team’s having a great season so far.” My heart rate picks up as we weave our way through the nearly full parking lot.
A few people spot Cam and we’re instantly surrounded by a throng of people fawning over him, asking questions about the new team.
I lean close to Sloane. “Does this happen everywhere you go?”
“Mm-hmm. We don’t go out that much, to be honest, unless we’re with the team. It’s easier to stay home than deal with fans.”
“Ohhh, fans,” I tease and she giggles.
“I know, it’s weird to say that out loud.”
Sloane and I wait patiently while Cam signs autographs, then Sloane whispers something in his ear and he breaks away. Together, we make our way toward the endless queue in front of the stadium. We’re standing in line when one of the boosters spots us—I don’t know if it’s Sloane as the coach’s daughter or Cam the football star that catches her eye. Maybe both of them, the power couple of Thunder Creek. Either way, the nice booster mom pops over and grabs us out of the line, ushering us through the crowd.
“Nice perk, guys.” I tag along behind them, thrilled to bypass the mile-long queue and be inside the stadium.
“Every once in a while, Cam comes through.” Sloane beams up at him, and I swear the two of them have hearts in their eyes like freaking emojis.
Normally, I’d feel a tiny bit jealous of the two of them and what they have going on between them.
But not tonight.
Because tonight I have a man of my own and I’m sure I’ll have matching heart eyes soon enough.
We wait in yet another line for concessions, buying big bags of popcorn and cold bottles of water before climbing the metal bleachers. After a solid seven minutes of searching, we find a spot. Tonight’s especially tough because everyone in town’s here and the three of us get stopped a million times on the way up. Finally, we take a seat next to Meg, the quarterback’s mom.
“Hi, Meg!” Sloane leans over and gives her a hug.
“Hey! I was hoping y’all would make it. Hi, Cam, Gracelyn.” Meg waves at us. “Langley will be so glad you’re here.”
“Heard he’s having a great season.” Cam smiles over at her and she beams, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“He’s doing good. Coach Carter’s amazing.” Meg’s cheeks flush when she mentions Sloane’s dad, her voice going breathy with admiration.
I swear she also has heart eyes.
Damn, it’s contagious around here.
“He’s a fantastic coach. Best out there.” Cam squeezes Sloane’s thigh and she grins at him.
If I were still single, I’d be gagging at the way the two of them are so head over heels for each other.
“Everyone get to your feet and welcome the Thunder Creek Mustangs to the field!” The announcer booms over the loudspeaker and the bleachers shake as the crowd rises, clapping and cheering. The band plays the opening notes of the fight song and we all sing the familiar tune.
I scan the field for Mack, spotting him at the end of the line of players rushing onto the field. He glances up into the stands and we lock eyes as he walks over to his place on the sideline. I take a chance and shoot him a small wave. He tips his chin up at me, the corner of his mouth lifting.
The man is fine, no two ways about it. The navy-blue Thunder Creek sweatshirt stretches taut across his chest and tonight he’s wearing joggers, showcasing his very firm ass.
An ass I can’t wait to hit later tonight.
“Everyone cheer for the home team!” The announcer’s loud voice cuts into my fantasy as the dance team kicks and gyrates across the field.
And there’s freaking Jamie, flipping her dark red hair and batting her lashes at Mack.
Of course she is.
Anything to get under my skin.
But Mack’s focused on the game now as the team takes the field and he totally ignores her. Lightning Ridge has the ball first, so his sole attention is on coaching the defense. He could care less about Jamie Ware, no matter how much she wiggles her tits in his face.
We’re off to a good start, stopping the other team on every play. They don’t score and now we have possession of the ball.
“Let’s go, Thunder Creek!” Sloane cups her hands and cheers with the crowd. Cam leans forward, elbows on his knees, his brow furrowed. Meg wrings her hands. The ball’s snapped and Langley steps back, reading the field. He throws a perfect spiral to the wide receiver and we gain a ton of yards.
“Woo!” I yell. “Go, Langley!”
Every play’s perfect and before long, Thunder Creek scores. We go for two and now the score’s eight to nothing.
“Great start to the game, Meg.” Sloane clasps her hand and Meg smiles gratefully.
“He’s so nervous. I’m happy they scored. Always good to put points on the board early.”
Cam nods. “For sure.”
Lightning Ridge fights back hard and manages to score on the next possession. Mack’s shoulders hunch forward as he stalks over to the bench, a deep scowl on his face when they kick the extra point.
My gut clenches, a rush of nervousness gripping me. I’ve never felt anxiety at a football game in my entire life. Usually I don’t care one way or the other.
But tonight’s different. I want the team—Mack—to win. This is a big game and he’s been staying up late, working on plays and watching film, for weeks. I know it’s not life or death or anything, but still. The team’s worked hard and I want this victory for them.
We get the ball again, but Langley throws an interception and Lightning Ridge runs into the end zone and scores.
“Shoot,” I mumble, worry swirling in my stomach along with the popcorn.
“Oh, Langley.” Meg shakes her head, her hands working overtime. At this rate her skin’s gonna be raw by the end of the game.
Mercifully, the kicker misses the extra point. But we’re still losing.
“And that takes us to halftime. The score’s eight to thirteen, with Lightning Ridge in the lead.”
The Lightning Ridge band marches out and the halftime show begins as our team files off the field. Mack stalks away, head down, hands shoved deep in his pockets.
The man is pissed.
“It’s okay, guys. It’s a one score game right now. Plenty of time to win,” Cam says, reassuring all of us.
“Right, exactly.” I try to sound upbeat. Meg’s so pale I’m afraid she may pass out. “Meg, can I get you anything? A soda? Some candy?”
“No, thank you. I’m fine.” She stares blankly at the field as the Thunder Creek cheerleaders cartwheel out for the halftime show.
A few people stop by to say hi to Cam and Sloane, and I mingle with folks I’ve known my entire life.
Finally, halftime’s over and both teams rush back onto the field. All the coaches seem focused, especially Mack. He’s flipped his hat forward, a surefire sign that he means business.
Thunder Creek gets the ball first and Langley throws a perfect spiral down the field.
“Yes! Great pass!” Cam cheers and Sloane and I high-five, bubbly excitement rippling through me.
The wide receiver’s tackled near the end zone, but we gain a first down. Somehow, we don’t manage to score, though, with Lightning Ridge rushing. Langley’s down and Meg springs from the bleacher, her hand flying to her mouth.
Langley shakes it off, rising and limping over to the sideline. He takes a seat on the bench, unfastens his helmet. Sloane rubs Meg’s back as the defense jogs out to the field.
“Let’s go, Thunder Creek!” I scream, chest tight with nerves.
Mack paces, his hand covering his lips as he calls the plays. We hold them at bay, and I pump my fist in the air as the other team shuffles off the field.
I check the clock. Somehow, it’s already the fourth quarter and Thunder Creek’s still down by five points. Defense on both teams has been solid, keeping the score low. But now, we desperately need a touchdown.
We don’t get one.
Langley’s blitzed again, then he can’t find an open receiver. Coach Carter calls a timeout, and the stadium’s quiet as everyone stares at the scoreboard.
Finally, our team hustles back onto the field. Langley throws a quick pass to avoid getting rushed again, but the receiver’s tackled before he can gain any kind of yardage.
Five minutes left in the game and we’re still losing.
Mack’s waving at the defense as they line up, his shoulders square. Tension’s high and palpable in the cool air as Lightning Ridge makes the snap. Our defense moves and stops the ball.
“Yes!” Sloane high-fives me. “My dad’s going to be happy with Mack, at least. He’s made some great calls tonight.”
“We’ve been studying film all week.”
“Have you really?” Sloane’s brows fly up in surprise.
“Well, he’s been watching film. I mostly make popcorn and scroll Instagram on my phone. But I picked up a thing or two.”
Sloane laughs. “That sounds more like the Gracelyn I know. Good to see not everything’s changed since I left.”
“The score is still thirteen to eight with two minutes left in the game. Thunder Creek has the ball.” The announcer broadcasts the obvious, and I swear the entire stadium holds one collective breath.
This is probably our last offensive possession, our last chance to score. Sloane grabs Meg’s hand to keep her from permanently damaging her skin, and Langley and the offensive line get ready. Ball in hand, he throws a quick pass to the left. The receiver gains a few yards, but not enough for a first down.
“Damn it,” Meg mutters, and I huff out a quick sigh.
“Not over yet, Meg,” Cam says, his voice calm and reassuring.
Langley winds back and tosses a perfect pass down the field, finding the wide receiver. I hop to my feet and cheer.
“Yes, let’s go, Thunder Creek!”
The crowd erupts as we finally score, the cheerleaders chanting our victory cheer. Cam and Sloane kiss, and I high-five Meg.
“As long as we don’t do anything wacky in the next thirty seconds, that should do it.” Cam points to the scoreboard as the numbers flip.
If I thought I was nervous before, I was mistaken. Every muscle in my body’s coiled tight as the defense takes the field one last time. Mack’s waving his arms through the air, calling the play.
I hold my breath as the clock ticks down. The quarterback hurls a long pass down the field, but Mack’s coverage is superior. Our guy leaps into the air, knocking the ball down.
Ten, nine, eight.
One last pass, but the quarterback can’t get it done.
“And Thunder Creek wins fourteen to thirteen!” the announcer shouts, and the crowd erupts into the fight song, the bass notes of the tuba swelling and the dance team turning flips.
“Great game, Meg!” Sloane hugs Langley’s mom, the color finally returning to her cheeks.
“Whew, I’m so relieved, y’all.” She huffs out a breath, and Cam laughs.
“Guess this is how my parents feel every game.”
“Absolutely.” Meg tucks her hair behind her ear and waves at Langley, who’s beaming on the sideline. “I have to get down there. Thanks for the moral support.”
“Anytime.” Sloane gives her arm a pat, then Meg hurries down the steps to hug her son.
“Gracelyn, I think someone’s looking for you.” Sloane taps my shoulder and I follow her gaze. Sure enough, Mack’s peering up into the stands.
“Go ahead. We’ll wait for you.” She gives me a little push and I skip down the bleachers, my heart thundering in my chest.
For the first time, a guy’s waiting for me on the football field of Thunder Creek High, and I couldn’t be happier about it.