“Todd Hamilton is signing with Penn State!”
Every player at the table and everyone in the audience goes crazy as Todd puts on his Penn State hat.
They continue to go down the line, and for each player, the crowd erupts. Ryan is the last one, and the instant he places the Penn State hat on his head, all the guys get up from the table and form a group huddle. The excitement is palpable as the entire room jumps to their feet. It’s official; all three of the boys are going to Penn State!
There is a whirlwind of pictures, interviews, hugs, and tears. Todd is getting a lot of attention from the local media because of his “story.” There is even someone here from ESPN, because we have so many kids signing.
“So what’s next for you, Todd?” the ESPN reporter asks.
Todd’s eyes somehow find mine in the group standing off to the side.
“Just taking it one step at a time.” He gives me a small smile and then goes right back to the interview. No one else knows what that means to us.
After an hour or two, most people have cleared out. I see Todd sitting on one of the auditorium chairs with his leg propped up. He’s talking to someone I don’t recognize. He starts to get up, but the person gestures for him to stay put, and they shake hands. Then the mystery man heads over to Coach W.
“So it’s official,” I say as I slide into a chair in the row behind him.
I can sense his smile even though he isn’t facing me. “It’s official.” He turns his body so he can see me.
“Congratulations. That was a pretty amazing speech Coach W. gave.” I give him a warm smile.
He looks down and shakes his head with a subtle grin. “Yeah, it was nice of him.”
“Who was that you were talking to?”
“That was the Penn State team doc. He’s a great guy. It was nice of him to make the trip.”
“Does he usually come to stuff like this?”
“No. He said this was his first one, but since he was so involved in everything, he wanted to be here. Cool, huh?”
I give him a smile. “Yeah, pretty cool.” I lean in closer. “Hey, I like your hat.”
“Oh, really?” He raises his eyebrows as he leans in closer to me. I know that look. I love that look. Then he turns the hat around so it’s backward and leans in to kiss me. The entire world melts away. It’s a world-melting kiss that takes all of the stress and questions about the future with it.
Chapter 20: New Routines
ASHLEY
My phone buzzes with a text from Todd.
No more cast. Lunch at St. Francis?
I can’t help laughing, which is bad because I’m in homeroom, and we aren’t technically allowed to use our phones. Luckily, my teacher is usually oblivious, or at least pretends to be.
Yes! But can you drive yet? I try to discreetly type back, preferring to avoid detention.
Not yet, but you can.
I have two weeks, I type from under my desk.
Just meet me.
I smile and shake my head. He’s crazy. It’s true; I take my learners permit test on my birthday in two weeks. Two weeks!
TODD
When I see Ash walking up to the truck, the smile on her face is incredible. She’s already shaking her head, making it clear she’s uncomfortable with this, but too bad.
I start to reach for my crutches so I can meet her halfway, but then realize I don’t have them anymore. It feels strange to walk without them.
As soon as I’m close enough, I dangle the keys in front of her. “Let’s go.”
She presses her lips together and gives me a look like she’s actually contemplating it. “Fine.” She grabs the keys. “Let’s go.” She gives me a wicked smile. I love this rule-breaking Ashley.
She turns back before she jumps up into the driver’s seat. “The no cast look is good on you.”
I wore shorts today because it’s warm, and I figured it would be easier to remove the cast. Plus, this was going to be my lunch plan all along. I have wanted to do this for weeks, but jumping up into Mark’s truck with my cast and crutches would have been tough.
“It looks smaller,” she says as I slide into the passenger seat next to her.
“What does?” I follow her gaze to my right leg. It is definitely smaller and whiter than my other leg. It looks pretty pathetic, actually. “Well, I’m not at all self-conscious about it, so thanks for bringing that up.” I nudge closer to her. “Don’t make fun of my tiny leg,” I say with a smile.
“You’re the one wearing shorts. You asked for it.” She gives me an evil grin then leans over to kiss me. “I’m just kidding. It’s good to see your leg again.” She places her hand on my newly exposed leg and slides it up, getting very close to a place where a) she shouldn’t get anywhere near in the school parking lot, and b) if she gets any higher, we won’t be going anywhere.
I remove her hand from my leg and place it on the steering wheel. “Just drive, woman.”
“Okay, but I need help. I’ve never driven a truck before.”
ASHLEY
Todd slides over so his left leg is touching my right. He’s so close that he can press the pedal if he needs to. Then he places his hands over mine on the steering wheel.
“Okay, put it in reverse.” With each motion, he guides my hands with his over mine.
“I’m doing it!” I shout as we pull onto the main road.
“You’re doing great.” He leans his chin so it rests in the crook of my neck as he guides my every move gently, slowly, sensually.
Who knew a driving lesson could be so intimate? Touching him is amazing; having him this close is incredible; and actually driving with him guiding me is exhilarating.
“This is nice.”
“Yeah?” he says as he grabs my hand and moves it to turn on the blinker. “You’re doing great.” He kisses my neck, his breath tickling my skin and sending shivers through my entire body.
“Don’t distract the driver.” I giggle. I can barely concentrate with him this close. I’m going to lose all sense of reason if he kisses my neck again.
“I’m sorry. I can’t help it.” He slides even closer, wrapping his arms around me so both of his hands are once again covering mine on the steering wheel, his chin finding the nook.
“You’re a good teacher. You should think about opening up your own driving school. Todd’s Kiss and Drive or Todd’s Turn it On.”
“You’re a funny one. Speaking of turns, turn here.” He guides my hands through the turn on the steering wheel.
We are now on the familiar dirt road leading to the opening—aka the secret field that I’m not supposed to know about.
Todd moves his leg so it’s overlapping mine. “Now gun it,” he says as his foot presses down on the gas pedal.
The speedometer goes from thirty to sixty in seconds, sending us flying down the empty dirt road. Our speed is kicking up dust clouds all around us. It’s a feeling of such freedom while being fully in control. We are both laughing as we press harder on the pedal.
“Let’s see what Francis’s truck can do,” Todd shouts over the roar of the engine. “He owes me.” He laughs.
We’re at seventy, eighty, and there is nothing but open road ahead and wide fields surrounding us. I feel so dangerous yet so safe with him. It’s a feeling I never want to forget and I never want to end.
Todd releases his foot, but I keep mine pressed down.
“Okay, Mario Andretti,” he says as he wraps his arms around my waist. “We’re here.” He gestures to the lake straight ahead.
“We made it,” I say as I press hard on the brake, and we come to an abrupt stop, jerking us both forward.
“We sure did. You were amazing. Well, maybe except for that last part.” Todd leans over with a smile, and the rest is history. I have missed this routine, this truck, this field, doing this.