The Sharks are playing dirty tonight. I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve been sacked during this damn game. I can see Paige in the bleachers, her cheeks rosy from the cold, her fingers fidgeting nervously in front of her. She’s confessed more than once how worried she gets when I get tackled. I can only imagine what tonight is doing to her since I’ve taken more hard hits tonight than this whole season combined.
I take a deep breath and turn my attention to focus on the huddle. We’re down by six. We haven’t lost a homecoming game in ten seasons, and we’re not going to lose now that I’m starting quarterback. I call the play, and we get in position.
The gridiron is almost sacred to me. I love the adrenaline rush I get when I’m on the field. I get a high from the pressure and the nervous energy that comes with trying to complete a play before I get tackled by the opposing side. The excitement that shoots through my body when I lead my team to victory is incredible. The only thing that’s ever felt better is being with Paige.
I can hear the opposing team muttering insults and swearing, typical behavior on the field. I hear #87 on the opposing team mumble some stupid “your momma” insult. The tension between the teams is almost palpable.
The Westside Sharks are our biggest rivals. We beat them every year, but it’s been getting closer and closer each time. They’ve got the best talent they’ve ever had, and they’re definitely giving us a run for our money.
My mind zeroes in on the play; everything disappears around me except for the players on the field and the football that’s ready and waiting. O’Connor snaps the ball to me, and I look around for my receivers. I can see a Sharks player come barreling towards me. None of my guys are open, but I don’t want to lose yardage, and I’m really sick of getting sacked every other minute. Looking around and not seeing any other option, I chuck the ball wide towards nothing.
It’s a dangerous move. The ref could call intentional grounding, but it’s all I can think of in that moment. Luckily, the ref doesn’t call it. My coach, on the other hand, looks pissed at me. I shake it off and focus on the game.
We get back in line. O’Connor snaps the ball to me, and this time, Ashby is open. The ball spirals beautifully through the air and lands smoothly in his extended hands. Ashby runs towards the end zone and makes it right as another player tackles him.
TOUCHDOWN!
Walters, our punter, kicks the ball straight through the goalposts and victory is ours.
I look up to the stands and spot Paige jumping up and down, cheering. She looks as happy as I’m sure I do right now. I swear she’s my biggest fan and supporter. That girl is unbelievable, and she’s all mine. On instinct, I run over and jump up into the stands, pulling her to me in a deep kiss.
“Fuller!”
She breaks from the kiss breathless, and I turn back to my coach.
“Sorry, coach. Had to kiss my girl. She’s my good luck charm.”
I smile at Paige, give her one more peck, and then head back to the field. We shake hands with the other team and then head to the locker room. The guys are buzzing with excitement; nothing beats the thrill of a victory. I’m flying high on the energy going around the room. It was a close game, but sometimes those are the best because they keep us focused. We have to work for our win, which makes it more meaningful in the end.
“Nice game tonight, Fuller,” O’Connor says as he pats my back. “You coming out to the lake to celebrate our victory?”
“I’ve got plans with Paige tonight.”
“Bring her - the more, the merrier. Come on, you gotta come. It’s tradition, man. Homecoming celebration!”
“I’ll see if she wants to go and let you know.”
“See you there, man.” O’Connor gives me another pat on the back and then heads to the showers.
Paige is waiting for me when I walk out of the locker room, showered and changed. She runs toward me and as soon as she jumps into my arms, I spin her around.
When I place her back on her feet, she smiles up at me, “I was on the edge of my seat that whole game, but I’m so proud of you! You were amazing out there.”
Her belief in me is one of the reasons I love her so much – that and because she’s beautiful inside and out. Paige is, without a doubt, one of the most caring girl I’ve ever met. I’m a lucky guy.
“Hey, wanna go to a celebratory party at the lake? The guys invited us out.”
“Sure. I just need to text my parents to let them know.”
After Paige gets the all-clear from her parents, we head to the lake. It’s a madhouse. I don’t know how they get away with doing this every year without the cops coming, maybe because it’s secluded enough from town, but still, it’s insanity. There are cars everywhere with their headlights on to light up the party. There are a ton of high school kids milling around, and a bonfire down near the water.
I grab Paige’s hand to keep her close to me as we wander through the people. Music is playing loudly from someone’s car, and I see a bunch of my teammates dancing with their girlfriends, or whatever girl they happen to be dating this week.
I see Nate O’Connor and his girlfriend, Kayla, and we end up making our way over to them. We all chat around the bonfire and drink a few of the beers that Nate snuck out with him. By 11, Paige and I are both definitely feeling the effects of the alcohol because we can’t stop touching each other.
I desperately want to get her alone and re-enact that night in my car from last week. God, she was so hot – well, she’s always hot, but watching her come apart like that was something out of this world.
I squeeze her hand, which I haven’t let go of all night and whisper into her ear, my warm breath causing goosebumps to spread across her skin.
“Wanna go for a walk?”
I pull back enough to gesture toward the trees where we’ll have some privacy. I need to get my hands on her bare skin.
She nods, and we leave our friends. The second we get passed the tree line and hidden from view, I gently push her back against one of the tall trees. She’s laughing softly, her eyes bright from the alcohol. I kiss her deeply, my hand sliding up her shirt to cup her breast. She moans in my mouth, and I lose all sense of control.
I kiss her neck, sucking on it hard, and move down. Her shirt is in my way, so I quickly pull it off and slide her bra off. She inhales sharply as I suck on her nipple. I love watching her facial expressions when we’re like this. It’s a better high than being on the field.
Her back arches, pushing her breast further into my mouth. Mmm, I can’t get enough of her. I’m about to unbutton her pants when we hear laughing getting closer. Paige inhales sharply, and I quickly cover her with my body.
No way in hell am I letting someone else see Paige like this.
All my protective instincts are on high alert. The voices come closer and round the corner to where I thought we were pretty well hidden.
“Fuller, that you?” It’s Donahue, one of our defensive linemen. “It is you!”
He slurs his words, and I can just now make out from the light of the moon that he is completely wasted. The girl on his arm looks pretty trashed, too – she seems to be struggling to walk. Before I can respond to Donahue, the girl says something to him and then immediately turns and vomits on the ground.
Well if their interruption didn’t kill the mood, that certainly did. I can’t hook up with Paige after watching a random girl vomit all her beer, which just so happens to trigger Donahue.
He exclaims, “Oh, fuck, that’s so gross,” before he chokes on the last word and projectile vomit comes out of his mouth.
Let me tell you, there’s nothing more sobering – or disgusting – than watching two people vomit next to each other.
I keep Paige covered while she puts her bra and shirt back on. I check on Donahue and his date to ensure they’ll be okay before heading back towards the party. I fill Nate in on Donahue, and he proceeds to grab a couple bottles of water and head over to find him. With Paige’s hand back firmly in mine, we make a hasty retreat.
“Well, this night didn’t turn out quite like I expected.”
She laughs softly, “That’s okay. We always have tomorrow.”
Ah, yes. The homecoming dance. I definitely plan on getting my hands on Paige again tomorrow.