31. Zoey
31
Zoey
H aving Noah back in my life has restored my faith in love and everything good. It’s been a few weeks, and every moment of it has been magical as we’ve rediscovered each other and learned all the little things we’ve missed over the past few years. It’s as though he’s slid straight back into position, right where he always belonged, and while it’s so easy and natural and feels like absolutely nothing has changed, it also feels as though everything has.
I think this is just our new normal, and every time something happens, or Noah wins another game, we’re always going to be filled with happiness that will be clouded by the pain of not being able to share that moment with Linc. It’s a pain that we’ll live with for the rest of our lives, but we’re not going to stop living or making memories because that’s the only way Linc would have wanted it.
We’re at the end of the football season, and tonight, the Mambas are killing it just like I knew they would. They’re playing for the championship trophy, and the buzz in the air is electrifying. It’s everything. I’ve never been so proud of him.
It’s an away game, but I’m not surprised that my whole family has come out to cheer him on. Aunt Maya sits between Mom and Hazel, and I swear, she’ll no longer possess a voice box after this game.
It’s a close game, and we’re well into the final minutes of the game. Noah told me on the way here that their opposition is known for playing dirty when they’ve got their backs up against the wall, and right now, they couldn’t possibly be more cornered.
The Mambas push themselves to their limit, giving it their all. They’ve never won a championship before, but with Noah on the team this season, they’ve pushed themselves during every training session, determined to make something of this, and they’re so close. Their hard work is finally going to pay off.
There are two minutes left in the game, and every last person is on their feet in anticipation. Principal Daniels and Coach Martin look as though they’re about to throw themselves onto the field and join in. The cheerleaders can’t seem to remember their routine because they’re all glued to the game.
It’s insane.
I’ve been to a few of Noah’s championship games when we were younger, but they were nothing like this. The stakes are higher, and a lot of these players have college riding on their performance, something they might not have been able to reach if it weren’t for the extra push they’ve received from Noah.
The Mambas have the ball, pushing through the other team’s defense, and I hold my breath, certain they’re about to get one more touchdown in for the night. The fans go insane, and the stands vibrate under the intense weight of the anxious crowd.
My ears ache from the constant screaming, but I don’t dare stop, both Hazel and I are about ready to lose our minds. Cameron Landry has the ball and I watch with wild anticipation as he breaks through and makes a run for it, cradling the ball like it’s the most precious cargo in the world.
He sprints toward the end zone and the whole crowd seems to hold their breath in unison as the other team quickly gains on him. “GO. GO. GO,” Hazel roars beside me, sounding possessed.
The Mambas run after Cameron, trying to help him, but he’s too far out, so he’s on his own. Three guys are there, and he manages to dodge one, but the other two aren’t having it. He’s so close to the end zone. He only has to hold on a little while longer, push a little harder, but they fly at him with the force of a freight train. With so little time left on the clock, the other team is determined to keep the Mambas from scoring.
They finally reach him and Cameron goes down hard under their weight. The whole crowd gasps at the impact, and when both players get off him, Cameron is left motionless on the ground. There’s a horrified silence that settles over both sides of the stadium as we wait for him to recover, and then just like that, he’s back on his feet.
“Holy crap,” Aunt Maya says. “I thought he was in trouble there.”
“This is terrifying,” my mom says to Aunt Maya. “I don’t know how you deal with this. If my girls were getting taken down like that, I’d be a wreck.”
“Tequila,” Aunt Maya says with a smirk. “A lot of tequila.”
The crowd roars and my heart has never raced faster.
Okay, that’s not true. The very first day when I saw Noah in the student office and he walked right into me, that overwhelming delicious scent wrapping around me, that’s the fastest my heart has ever pounded. This is a close second though.
Noah shouts orders as the Mambas line up for another play, and despite already having the upper hand, I can guarantee that Noah wants another touchdown. The ball is snapped and delivered right into Noah’s waiting hands as the other team forge ahead, determined to get the ball back in their possession.
Noah side steps, hesitating for just a moment when I realize his receivers are blocked and in a flash of breathtaking awe, Noah dodges and weaves the opposition before taking off at a deadly sprint.
“Holy shit,” I breathe, realizing he’s taking the run.
He runs for all he’s worth as I scream so loud I taste blood in the back of my throat. My gaze flicks between Noah and the clock. Only a few seconds left. He can make it. I know he can. He’s too good.
He pushes himself out in front of the other team’s defenses with ease as my voice box permanently fades out of existence. “GO NOAH!” I scream, jumping up and down, clutching Hazel’s hand in a death grip, probably yanking her arm right out of its socket in the process.
He runs like his life depends on it, his feet pounding against the earth, and propelling him closer to the end zone. Then in a moment of absolute perfection, he throws himself toward the ground, the ball slamming down in the end zone as his momentum has him skidding across the field. The clock stops and the ref blows the whistle just as the crowd roars for their new champions.
“YES!” I scream as Noah launches himself to his feet, throwing the ball up in the air as his teammates barrel into him, and before his gaze can even shoot toward the stands, I’m already running.
I barge through the overfilled stands, shoulder past all the people, and hit the stairs running. When my feet strike the pavement at the bottom, I propel myself toward the field as Noah shoves past his teammates.
A horde of people push onto the field behind me, but they aren’t nearly as fast as me. I bound toward him, and he barely has time to unclip his helmet and yank it off his head before I leap into his strong arms, thread my fingers through his dark hair, and kiss him deeply.
He pants in exhaustion, and despite struggling to breathe, he gives me everything he’s got.
“You were amazing,” I tell him, grinning uncontrollably and forcing myself back. His shoulder pads aren’t exactly comfortable to squish up against, but I’ll take him any way I can get him.
“Get a room,” Liam shouts from somewhere behind Noah, but Noah just grins and brings his mouth right back to mine.
All too soon, my family and Aunt Maya crowd around us, and Noah reluctantly puts me back on my feet as they each give him their congratulations. In a matter of seconds, his teammates steal him away, and before I know it, I’m watching men in suits line up to shake his hand.
The Mambas are awarded their championship trophy, and that’s when the real celebration starts. After a while, our parents take off with Hazel, and the crowd quickly dissipates, leaving only the overexcited high-school students ready to party.
I hover by Noah’s car, but I don’t have to wait long before he’s right here with me, barreling into me, his strong arms weaving around my waist. He pulls me in tight against him and kisses me deeply before walking me right around to the passenger side of his car and opening the door for me. “I hope you’re ready for a big night,” he warns me. “We’re going to a bonfire down by the lake.”
A wide grin stretches across my face. I haven’t been to a lake party in ages. The last time I went to one, I’m pretty sure I was with Noah when I was thirteen, maybe a week or two before we lost Linc. “Can’t wait.”
Noah smiles right back at me before closing the door between us and all but skipping around to the driver’s side. He climbs in and hits the gas in seconds as the other players pull out around us.
“I can’t believe how incredible that was,” I tell him, my voice hoarse from the constant screaming.
“The guys were on fire,” he agrees, sparing me a quick glance. “But I have to tell you something.”
I watch him as he drives, one hand on the steering wheel, the other casually resting on the gearshift, and damn it, he looks so good. “Does it happen to have something to do with all those guys in suits who just had to shake your hand after the game?” I question, knowing damn well this is about the million colleges across the country who are desperate to recruit him.
“Maybe,” he tells me with a slow grin.
My eyes widen, excitement drumming through my veins. “You got an offer?”
“A few actually,” he says. “Georgia. Michigan. Ohio State. But I also got the Wildcats.”
“Wait,” I say, sitting up straighter in my seat, my gaze locked on his as he flicks his attention between me and the road. “The Wildcats are in Arizona, right? They’re only like...I don’t know, maybe two hours from here.”
“It was a no-brainer, Zo,” he tells me, abandoning the gearshift to take my hand. “I accepted.”
My eyes fill with tears of overwhelming happiness, knowing that his dream of playing college football is only a breath away, and not only that, but he’s still going to be close enough that we can see each other all the time. For a year at least. I’ll be filling out my application for the University of Arizona the second I can.
“Holy shit, Noah,” I say through my tears. “That’s so incredible. I’m so proud of you.”
“I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without you, Zo.”
“No, you did this one all on your own,” I tell him. “I’m not letting you give up any of the credit for that. You’re the one who put in all the hours during training and in the gym. You’re the one who impressed all the scouts and had people flying in from all over the country just to see you. But are you really sure that Arizona is what you want? You have so many amazing teams that would kill for you.”
“It means nothing to me if I have to leave you, Zo. Arizona has always been my goal. I can come home on the weekends and see Mom, and it’s not too far for you to come to my games. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
The tears stream down my face, and the quicker I wipe them away, the sooner they’re replaced with more. “We can manage two hours,” I say, trying to sound confident about it, but in reality, two hours is still two hours away, and when I’m missing him and not getting to see his face every single day, those two hours are going to feel like two light-years.
“Yeah, we can,” he tells me, moving his hand to my thigh and giving a firm squeeze. “If we can make it through three years of radio silence, then we can do college. It’ll be one year, and then you’ll be right there with me.”
I nod because I can picture it perfectly. Where Noah goes, I go. If the roles were reversed, I know without a doubt that he would follow me blindly.
Sitting back in my seat, I watch him drive, my heart so full and happy. The guy I’m looking at now is the real Noah, and so many times over the years I was worried I would never get to see him like this again. He’s come so far, and I’m amazed by the man he is today, but from the first day I met him, I knew he’d be incredible.
Since pushing away the pain and guilt, he’s been able to reclaim a part of himself, and he’s soared ever since. He’s no longer drowning or sick with internal agony. Don’t get me wrong, there are days when his grief cripples him, just as it does me, but he no longer pushes me away. On those days, we spend a few hours down at East View Cemetery, and when we leave, it’s just a little bit easier to breathe.
It’s a long road, and he still has miles to travel—we both do, but we’re heading in the right direction, and I can’t wait to see where it leads us.
It’s a short trip back into East View, and before I know it, we’re pulling up at the lake. A crowd falls in around Noah’s Camaro before he’s even able to cut the engine. He squeezes my thigh again, and in this very moment, the world has never been so perfect. “Are you ready?” he questions, turning that all-too-charming smile on me and knocking the breath right out of my lungs.
“I’ve never been so ready.”