“I told you already to back off and leave her alone,” Todd shouts from behind the fence. I know he’s already in trouble, and college scouts are here. If he comes over that fence, he will get kicked out of the game for sure. I run over to him to try to calm him down.
“It’s nothing. We were just talking,” I say as I glare at RTS, and she gives me a smirk that proves she is the reason he’s here. Just when I think I can’t hate her any more than I already do, she proves me wrong.
“Seriously, Todd. I’m sorry, man. We were just talking. That’s it. She was telling me how much she cares about you, and I was admiring her ... shirt.” Casey’s eyes land on my chest. “Nice, man.”
With that, Todd starts to climb the fence, and I brace myself for what I know is coming. Just as he’s about to make it over, he’s pulled back down by his collar and pads. “Hamilton. Get your damn head in the game!” Coach W. shouts. “Son, you are on thin ice. I wouldn’t do anything else to piss me off.”
Todd glares at Casey as he responds, “Sorry, Coach.”
“Go finish warming up.” Coach is still at volume ten, and he is as red as the other teams’ jerseys.
As Todd backs away, his eyes never leave Casey.
Once Todd is out of sight on the other side of the field, Casey smiles and gives a salute to RTS.
Unable to believe my eyes, I push him as hard as I can in the chest. “Wait, you both planned this?”
Casey gives me a wide, Cheshire cat smile and then glances at RTS who’s now standing in a semi-circle, giggling with most of the cheerleaders. Gretchen isn’t with them, and by her body language, she looks as angry as I feel.
“Nope, but I’ve gotta love a girl who has my back. Plus, I’ll do whatever it takes to help my team win the game.” He flashes me his flawless teeth as he runs his fingers back through his hair. His expression says he’s kidding, but his wall is back up, letting me know he’s done being honest about his true feelings.
“Well, this was fun, but I think Viv is waiting for you. That was her name, right?” I look back to the opposing team’s stands.
“Yeah, that’s her name. We’re not together or anything; she’s just fun when there is no one else, if you know what I mean.” He steps a little closer, but glances over at the sideline. He’s much more cautious now. I guess I was wrong; his wall came back down for a second. Then, just as quickly as it came down, it goes back up. “You going to Mark Conner’s party later?”
I swallow hard and try to hide my shock. “Are you?”
“Yeah. Conner and I go way back.”
God, does he know everyone?
“Well, I guess I’ll see you later, then,” I say with a quick smile as my heart sinks. I know this isn’t going to be good. Todd and Casey in the same place with Todd already pissed and Casey already drunk—none of this adds up to a good night.
“Don’t look so disappointed.” His fingers brush across my cheek, causing me to stiffen.
Please don’t let Todd see this.
“This will be good. Maybe Todd and I can kiss and make up.”
“Senior Todd Hamilton is coming out to attempt a forty-two yard field goal,” the announcers voice interrupts us, and I freeze.
We both turn toward the field.
I guess the first quarter is over already. That was fast.
I notice the score is seven to three; we’re winning. Johnny must have scored. My eyes land on Todd in the center of the field. I see the release, his little jump, and the ball soaring through the air. Then it flies right through the uprights, and I squeeze my eyes shut and give a silent thank you.
“Your boy is good,” Casey whispers in my ear.
Yeah, tonight is going to be trouble.
***
Half-time takes on a new meaning this year now that I’m dating someone who was actually voted on the homecoming court. Of course, all of the boys made court, and this year since they are all seniors, they can be voted king. Seeing Ryan out there with Gretchen in her homecoming dress brings a smile to my face. All of the girls who were voted on the court left to change into their dresses for the announcement of the court during half-time. The boys who are on the team have to stay in their uniforms, though, since they are in the middle of a game.
They call Ryan and Gretchen’s names. Ryan really is handsome, even when his hair is matted down with sweat from wearing his helmet. Then they introduce Brian and his partner. Brian is truly in his element. He’s egging on the crowd, trying to get louder cheers. He’s paired with Nancy, another cheerleader from Gretch’s group. I look over at Blythe who is way more invested in the announcement of court than I thought she would be.
“Look at your boyfriend,” I say playfully.
“Yeah, yeah,” she says, falling back into her usual aloof self.
“Look at yours.” She gestures back out to the field as Todd is announced.
Of course he’s paired with RTS who is hanging all over him. Although I can tell he is uncomfortable, he’s putting up a good front. I hate that they have to hold hands, but beyond the hate for her, my stomach flips over with a thousand butterflies for him. Yup, he still has that effect on me.
I love how his sweaty hair is hanging in his eyes. I love how his spandex football pants hug his butt. Seeing him in his pads and uniform will never get old. I want to jump over the fence, onto the field, and into his arms right now. Instead, he’s holding RTS’s hand. Either way, he’s mine and he looks incredible. I could sit here forever, looking at him in the middle of the field.
When the announcer takes an envelope from Principal Marks—homecoming is very official at our school—the crowd starts to quiet down to hear who won.
The announcer opens the envelope. “And it is my distinct pleasure to announce this year’s Homecoming Queen … Gretchen Parker!”
A small flutter of joy fills my stomach, and both Blythe and Shane nudge me.
“Ryan’s got this,” Shane whispers. I think he might be right since Gretch won.
“And your Homecoming King is … Ryan Taylor!”
The crowd erupts in cheers, but Gretchen squeals the loudest. It resonates through all of the speakers since she’s standing next to the man holding the microphone.
Both Todd and Brian run up to Ry and bear hug him, lifting him off the ground, while a swarm of girls surround Gretchen. They are both engulfed with people until the announcer pulls them away from the crowd. He has Ryan and Gretch stand at the top of the podium, where they both get ridiculously oversized crowns placed on their heads to enormous cheers coming from the bleachers.
I glance down at my parents, and my mom looks so excited you would think she just won. My dad glances over at me and gives me a thumbs up.
Todd seems so genuinely happy. I know he couldn’t care less about winning. For some reason, however, RTS is still holding his hand.
God, I hate her.
***
“Tonight, we are drinking, boys,” Brian announces as we all walk into Mark Conner’s party.
His house is already packed with people since we waited for the boys to shower and meet with a few of the scouts who came to the game.
“We have a lot to celebrate,” Brian continues to shout over the noise of the party. “Notre Dame, Penn State, Bama. I mean, those are huge schools and they are interested in us.” He’s practically jumping up and down as he walks backward through the crowd. “Come on, Ryan, the Notre Dame scout was all over you. And the Penn scout was practically drooling over all of us.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Ryan says with a smile. “Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.” He pats Brian on the back, but Brain’s excitement can’t be contained.
He runs up to MC and chest bumps him while they both shout “Bama, baby!”
Ry shakes his head as he and Gretchen make their way through the crowd. They are both still wearing their crowns, and every single person we pass is congratulating them as they walk by. It’s pretty ridiculous.