Chapter 10 #2
He’s right. I need to focus. I get to my feet and jog back to the huddle, ignoring everything, including the girl in the stands who’s standing next to my girl.
The next few drives blur together in sharp snaps and tighter throws. I stop hunting the big play and take what the defense gives me. Five yards. Seven. Move the chains. Reset. Reese hauls in a slant for another touchdown.
By halftime, we’re up 21-14. I’ve managed to score three touchdowns with no interceptions. It might look good on paper, but I can feel how sloppy I am. My head is everywhere, and the start of the second half proves it.
In my first drive, I’m intercepted because Jackson comes at me too quickly.
Lying on the ground, I can see Coach at the side yelling at me, but I barely hear him. All because I’m looking into the stands where Jenni has her hand draped around Honey with this smug little smile plastered across her face.
Do better, Evans.
When I get my next opportunity on the field, we’re tied, 21-21, and the pressure is on.
Too bad I overthrow Reese by five yards. The fucking easiest play in the book and I screwed it up.
I rip my helmet off on the sideline, and the rest of the team gives me space. After my performance so far, I need it.
When I call the team for the huddle, I feel their frustration. Sebi’s jaw is tight, Dax’s muttering under his breath, even Mason looks rattled.
And me? I’m burning alive inside this jersey because Honey’s still up there, laughing, trusting the wrong girl while I’m here, desperate for a win.
“We finish this. No mistakes. Trust me.”
Back in the game, we grind it down the field with short passes and third-down scrambles… It’s not pretty, but it works. By the time we hit midfield, there’s fifty seconds left.
Coach calls a timeout, and he grabs my arm. “You see it?”
“Yeah,” I snap, already locked in. “Their DB’s too shallow. Reese can fall away and we can end it.”
He nods and I head back to the lineup.
Snap.
I drop back, and when I see Reese has space, I throw the ball with everything I have.
He catches it clean and takes it all the way.
Touchdown.
28 – 21
10 seconds left on the clock.
It’s game over. Somehow, even playing my worst, we won.
The stadium erupts, and my teammates pile on me, but it’s all white noise, because my eyes are locked on one spot.
On her.
That throw wasn’t just to win the game—it was a warning to Jenni and anyone else dumb enough to try to mess with me.
I don’t lose. Not out here. Not with her.
Honey jumps up and down, screaming her heart out while Jenni is clapping politely beside her, and when our gazes connect, she winks at me.
Winks. At. Me.
Really?
Yeah, it’s definitely her, and she’s fucking toying with me now.
A hand clamps onto my shoulder, dragging me back into the celebrations as we head toward the post-game huddle.
Coach’s voice cuts through the noise. “That’s what champions do. They find a way to win when it matters most.”
“Party at Hail Mary’s!” Sebi yells as we break the huddle. “First round's on Evans for that beautiful final throw!”
“Nah, make it Dax,” Reese counters, bumping Dax’s shoulder. “He doubted Zach the entire damn game.”
Dax rolls his eyes. “Fine, but Evans is buying the pizza.”
“Deal,” I agree, already feeling better surrounded by these idiots who keep my head screwed on straight. “But give me a minute first. I need to find Honey.”
“Ah, I gave her a little wave on the field. She looks hot in your jersey,” Sebi remarks, wiggling his eyebrows.
Mason smacks the back of his head with a satisfying thwack. “Show some respect, man.”
“What? It was a compliment!”
Ignoring my teammates, I jog toward the tunnel with my helmet in my hand, and spot Honey instantly.
She’s pressed against the sideline railing. Her eyes are locked on mine with this small, blissed-out smile on her face. Her ponytail's a little frizzy from jumping around, her gold bow still pinned like a crown, and for a second, I forget how to breathe.
She's waving, laughing, fucking glowing.
When I reach the railing, I grab the edge and vault up to her. My feet hit the ground beside her, and her arms are around my neck in an instant.
“Zach!” she breathes, giddy and flushed. “That last play—”
I cut her off with a kiss because I can’t wait any longer.
Victory and home.
That’s what she tastes like, and she’s all I’ll ever fucking need.
“I’ll meet you outside,” I murmur against her lips. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”
She nods, breathless, and I kiss her again before hopping back down and jogging toward the guys. When I’m with them, Reese throws an arm around my shoulders.
Sebi sidles up beside him with a grin. “You gonna make a habit of throwing game-winning passes when she’s here? ’Cause I’ll personally buy her a season pass.”
“Save it,” I cut in, already catching the familiar blur of blonde from the corner of my eye. Jenni, saddling up next to Honey. She’s still here. Still smiling.
The high starts to slip, and a cold rage works its way into my chest.
Reese nudges me, picking up on it immediately. “You okay?”
I lie. “Yeah. Let’s just get ready and get out of here.”
I need answers before I start throwing any accusations around.
Walking out of the stadium, I spot my girl near the exit gate, just past the security checkpoint, standing behind a line of students and boosters.
She’s bouncing slightly on her toes as she scans my teammates, looking for me.
I slide through a gap in the fencing and jog over before any of the reporters can stop me for more questions.
I answered enough in the post-game interview.
My steps slow as I take her in.
The feeling hits me the same way it always does. The calm. The certainty. No matter how loud the night gets or how hard the game is, this part never changes.
Never. I will never get enough of her.
When Honey spots me, her face lights up and everything dulls for a second because she’s all I’ll ever need.
By the time I get to her, I wrap my arms around her before she can say anything. She melts into me like she always does. Her arms slide around my waist, and she tips her chin up, waiting for a kiss.
I don’t leave her waiting and press my lips against hers.
“You killed it tonight,” she murmurs with her eyes closed and a blissed-out look on her face.
“Marry me?” I whisper so only she can hear.
That makes her laugh, and she slaps me lightly on the chest. “Stop it.”
Someone clears their throat from behind Honey, so she turns, revealing her friends. I swallow, trying not to stare down the girl—who now that I’ve seen her up close—was most definitely the one on my porch.
“Oh, you remember I mentioned I was going to come with my friends? This is Jenni and Chris.”
Jenni’s smile is timid as she steps forward and extends her hand, acting as though this is the first time we’ve met.
“Great game, Zach.” That voice. The same too-sweet, syrupy tone. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
Yeah, I bet you have.
I shake her hand, not wanting to make a scene. It’s quick and impersonal with no warmth or charm.
The guy beside her smiles and offers his hand. “Incredible finish, man. That was elite.” His grip is firm, his smile genuine. I hate how likable he seems.
“Thanks,” I say with a firm grip.
Before I can question his intentions with my girlfriend, Reese appears from behind me. “How the hell did you get away from those reporters? They wouldn’t leave me alone,” he says, dusting off his shirt before giving Honey a quick hug. “Great to have you at the game, Honey.”
“You guys did so well. That catch at the end was amazing,” she tells him and gives him the kind of smile that makes it hard to remember that thirty minutes ago, I was ready to burn the stadium down over a wink from Jenni.
“All thanks to your man's arm,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder. “We're heading to Hail Mary's to celebrate. You should join us.”
Before Honey can answer, Jenni loops her arm through hers and jumps in. “That sounds amazing! Mind if we tag along?”
“Of course,” Reese says smoothly, though I catch the questioning glance he throws my way.
“You coming, C?” Jenni asks him.
He shakes his head. “Can't tonight. Got an early game tomorrow.”
“Game, huh? What do you play?” Dax asks, beside me with a smirk.
“Hockey,” Chris responds simply.
“Oh, you're one of those…” Dax says, his tone dripping with mock disdain, “stick guys.”
Chris just smiles, unbothered. “Guilty, and you’re one of those guys obsessed with balls.”
“You’d get it if you saw them,” Dax fires back without missing a beat.
“I’m sorry you can’t come,” Honey says, placing her hand on Chris’s shoulder. “Maybe you can come another time.”
“Definitely.” Chris pulls her in for a hug.
One… Two… Three… That’s three seconds too long for me. Okay, maybe four.
My fists tighten, my jaw clenches, and it’s only when they separate that I take a breath. When he hugs Jenni goodbye, it’s not nearly as long. I counted.
With another wave, he walks away. Sebi leans in close. “Dude seems cool. Why do you look like you want to murder him?”
“I don't,” I mutter, though I'm not convinced.
“Well, shall we?” Jenni asks brightly, now arm-in-arm with Honey. “I'm dying for a drink after all that excitement.”
I grumble in response, taking her in. The fucking audacity she has to be here is insane. Mason and Sebi lead the way, arguing about who made the better play. Dax follows, texting someone with a smirk while Reese hangs back with me.
“That's Honey's new friend?” Reese asks, his voice low. “Something about her seems off.”
Well, at least it’s not just me who sees through her shit. “Yeah. There's something I need to tell you about her later.”
“Want me to run interference?”
“No,” I say, watching as Jenni whispers something that makes Honey laugh. “I need to figure out what her game is first.”
“Just say the word,” Reese replies. “We've got your back.”
“Thanks,” I mutter before sneaking up behind my future wife and wrapping my arms around her hips. Kissing her on the cheek, I whisper, “Ride with me?” and not-so-subtly pull her away from Jenni so she gives me her attention.
Her hand cups my cheek as she rests her back against me and smiles softly. “Always.”
Jenni tries to follow us, but Reese steers her toward his car, smoothly diverting her attention with a question about her major.
Thanks, man.
“Your friend Jenni seems… interesting,” I start as we pull away from the stadium. I want to be cautious with her because I know if I come out guns blazing with accusations, Honey will think I’ve lost my damn mind over her. As true as that is, I need to get my facts straight first.
“She’s great, isn’t she?!” She’s beaming, completely oblivious to my concerns. “It was so nice to be in the stadium with friends today. Helped me realize that I shouldn’t let other people’s opinions keep me from supporting you.”
I force out a smile, not wanting to ruin her happiness. “I’m glad, Honeycomb. Really.”
I wish I sounded like I believed it. I wanted her to make friends here, but did I really want her to be besties with a girl who tried to slip me her number a week ago?
As we drive to Hail Mary’s, I decide that I won’t say anything tonight. Instead, I’ll watch Jenni and figure out her angle. Only after will I speak to Honey about it.
I don’t want to ruin her friendship, after all.