Chapter 17
Danny
Sixteen Years Old
Igroan as I warm up my muscles on the sideline. You got this.
Fans are packed like sardines on the bleachers, outfitted in full navy blue and gold Titans spirit gear.
The concession line is long, with tons of people waiting for popcorn and slushies.
Our pep band is playing the school fight song in the background as the cheerleaders wave golden poms in the air.
I inhale the scent of grassy dirt beneath my cleats, mixed with the evening breeze.
It looks, sounds, and smells like a classic Friday night under the lights.
I should be raring to go, itching to get out on the field like the superstar everyone expects me to be.
But my thoughts are overwhelmed by Gracie Sinclair.
The fact that I might have missed my chance with her eats me up inside. Tori…what a mistake. I was starting to see Gracie differently, and I should’ve explored my feelings for her instead of dating the first girl who gave me attention.
I can’t believe there are only two years left before we go off to college together. If that’s even still the plan. We haven’t talked about our future in so long, I’m not sure if she still sees me in hers. Maybe she’ll go to a different college with Ben, The Nicest Boy Who Ever Lived.
Enough. I shake these thoughts out of my head and look behind the bench to see if they’re here yet.
Mom, Tessa, and Gracie always sit in the first row of the bleachers, reserved for families of the players.
Tori usually sat with her friends a few rows behind them, because she always said she felt awkward sitting with my mom the whole game.
But I don’t see Tori anywhere, so maybe she decided the field wasn’t her “second home” after all.
I continue scanning the area, trying to find Gracie and Mom.
After a few moments, I spot Mom and Tessa taking their seats.
I give them a little wave, and Mom gives me a thumbs up.
She always brings a small, homemade sign with my number on it, and it’s in her hands now.
Tessa’s nose is already buried in her sketchbook, no doubt drawing one of her designs.
When Gracie comes trailing in behind her, I feel like I can finally breathe.
Everyone’s here now. Time for some football.
I lift my hand and wave hi to Gracie when I notice someone following her. I crane my neck for a better view. Blond hair. Lanky. Glasses. Oh, fuck my life. It’s Ben. Now I have to play a whole game of football while he sits thigh-to-thigh with my Gracie, knowing I only have myself to blame.
The whistle sounds, signaling kick-off. I can’t help but glance at Gracie from the sideline while our Special Teams are out on the field.
They could probably run the football all the way into the endzone, and I don’t think I’d notice.
I squint at the stands and watch Mom laugh at something Ben said. Traitor.
I jog onto the field and join the huddle, pumping myself up on the way. I need to focus.
Think about playing college football.
My mind betrays me with a vision of Gracie and me at Easton.
Think about playing in the league.
I think about Gracie and me on Draft Day instead.
Think about anything other than Gracie.
“DT! Yo! Earth to DT,” our quarterback, Xander, shouts. I snap back to attention. “Alright, boys. Let’s make tonight one we’ll remember.”
The guys nod excitedly, and I find myself robotically bobbing my head up and down in an attempt to fit in.
“ALPHA. Thirty-two, thirty-two, HUT,” Xander shouts, and then throws a rocket directly into my hands. I run as fast as I can to the far outside and catch the ball for thirty yards. I don’t even need blocking, because no one can keep up with me.
The crowd cheers, I guess? I’m not sure, because I’m staring at the stands. Usually, I’m laser focused during games, actively engaged in play, even on the sideline. Not today.
Today, I’m actively engaged in staring at Gracie and Ben.
We play great throughout both halves. The guys celebrate as soon as the whistle blows, clapping me on the back and bumping my helmet.
I find it difficult to breathe, let alone celebrate. This game was one of my most average in receiving yards, which doesn’t surprise me. It’s hard to run your best routes when your focus is elsewhere.
My eyes snag on Gracie as she walks toward the parking lot with Ben. Sweaty and tired, I make a split second decision to run off the field and catch her.
“Hey, do you mind waiting for me?” I ask when I reach her, out of breath.
I hate that she defers to Ben before she answers me.
He nudges her shoulder. “Go ahead, I’ve got to get going anyway. Are you okay for a ride back, Grace?”
I glance at Mom, who silently mouths ‘Grace?’ WOW, at me, while waggling her eyebrows. I glare at her in response, vowing to have words later.
“She’s good with me, Ben. I’ll take her back.”
Ben smirks at me like he knows something I don’t. Why does he look so happy with his girlfriend going home with me? Shit. He’s probably that confident in their relationship. If that’s the case, I’m doomed.
“Sounds good. Thanks for coming with me, Ben.” She leans in for a hug before turning back to face me. I try not to notice his fingers grazing the bottom of her curls.
Mom cheerfully faces our little trio. “Okay, kiddos. Tessa and I are going to head out. Ben, it was so lovely to meet you. I hope I see you again soon.” She winks at me as she walks toward her car. I shoot daggers at my mother, hopefully conveying whose side are you on?
I’m still internally stewing when Gracie asks, “Where should I wait for you, Danny?”
I lift an eyebrow like it’s weird she’s even asking. “Where you always wait for me. Outside the locker room?”
Her forehead wrinkles, confusion written all over her face. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted me there or by the parking lot.”
“Why would I want you all the way by the parking lot?”
Gracie shifts on her feet. “I just figured Tori would be meeting you outside the locker room.”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I say, “Um, no. We, uh, broke up.”
Her jaw drops slightly. “You were together at lunch. When did you break up?”
Up close and personal with Gracie for the first time since before summer, I’m captivated by her mesmerizing eyes and forget to filter my words.
“Right after I saw you,” I blurt. “I mean, after I saw you at lunch.”
She pauses before replying in a bright tone. “Ah, got it! So, that’s why you need me to wait. Did she usually bring you a post-game snack or something? I don’t mind grabbing it before we head out.”
I allow myself to be horrified for a brief moment. If Gracie thinks I want her to wait for me outside the locker room for a fucking snack, there’s some major issues we need to work through.
“No, I don’t need anything. I just wanted to talk and ride home with you. We haven’t hung out in a while.”
The surprise on her face absolutely devastates me. “Oh. Sounds good, Danny.”
“See you soon, Gracie girl.” My eyes crinkle up at the ends, easily slipping into my comfortable nickname for her, but hers widen.
Absolutely disgusted with myself, I walk into the locker room and try to get ready quickly.
But Kyle, our backup quarterback, intercepts me.
He’s already changed into a preppy outfit and put gel in his hair.
Kyle is a pretty good QB and generous with the ball during practices.
We’ll be in good hands with him once Xander graduates.
“Hey. Great game, man.”
“Thanks. We had fun with it,” I reply.
“Yeah,” he nods. “Listen, I saw you talking with Susannah outside. You’re her neighbor, right?”
If one more person calls me her neighbor, I swear to God I will launch myself into orbit.
“Yes…” I tread cautiously, trying to understand his intent. He can usually get anyone he wants. There’s always chatter from the cheerleading squad about who’s going to hook up with the future quarterback next.
“Cool. She kind of flies under the radar, but she’s actually pretty hot, right? She’s been in my chemistry class with Ms. Irene for two quarters now, and I feel like we have a connection. I want to ask her out. You think you can put in a good word for me?”
I know I deserve it, but I’m going to need all of this negative karma to have mercy on me. It’s like, all of a sudden, every dude in Winfield High wants Gracie.
“I actually think she’s with this other guy, Ben, right now.”
He laughs. “No, they’re just best friends.”
I bristle. I’m her best friend.
“They seem into each other,” I point out.
“Nah, he’s in my history class. He has a girl back in Indianapolis he’s crazy about. Susannah and Ben are definitely just best friends.”
A bucket of relief is dumped on my head as I process this new information.
If she’s single, that means I can pursue her without feeling like a jerk.
I just have to consider the timing. Tori and I broke up today.
If I tell Gracie how I feel now, she might think that I’m just looking for a rebound. I need to play the long game here.
“Um, in that case, sure. I can talk to her about you.”
I don’t specify in what capacity I’ll be talking about him. I definitely don’t say I’ll be talking about him cheating on his last girlfriend with a cheerleader.
He gives me a grin. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
I grin back, only feeling a little bad. “Anytime.”