Whistles blew all over the field, and I turned to find August rolling off the guy who had planned to teach me a lesson. Cooper and Shepard had just missed the opportunity.
Curses spewed out of all the squad coaches’ mouths nearby.
“You want to fucking play?” August yelled and beat his chest like he was King Kong. “Let’s play.”
Everyone grew silent. That was when I noticed Coach had arrived.
“What the hell is going on here?” Coach ranted.
“He doesn’t want to practice. He wants to play. And so do I,” August yelled. “Right?”
Cooper and Shepard started chanting in agreement with him as August riled everyone up.
Coach blew his whistle again bringing back order.
“You ladies want to play?” As my brothers and Shepard nodded along with several other guys, Coach waved the entire team over. “Fine.” He looked at me. “Let’s have ourselves a good old-fashioned pigskin game.”
I pitied anyone going against us. We’d watched the entire last season of Layton’s football team. More than I, my brothers, including Shepard, knew the veterans’ weaknesses. But they knew nothing about us. We’d played together for years longer than anyone on this team, including the seniors.
16
shepard
Coach barked out the rules to simplify the game. One quarter of fifteen minutes, two teams with eleven players playing both offense and defense, only one down, if you didn’t score, ball was turned over at dead spot because there wasn’t a chain gang to spot and measure the ball. There would be no kickoffs or punting. Ball would be placed on the fifty-yard line, and a coin toss would determine who got it first. First team to twenty-one won. He and the other coaches would only referee. He named Billy and Cooper as team leaders.
As they took turns picking, it was risky that Billy might try to pick one of us and that would muck things up. In the end, he didn’t. August, Finley, and I were on Coop’s team along with some other freshman that had hung out at our house the other night.
“Let’s get all this shit out with a game, and then it’s back to work,” Coach declared.
We huddled on one side of the field. This was where Cooper shined. He immediately took over like he was born into leadership.
“If you trust us—” He pointed at himself, August, Finley, and me. “—we will win this in three plays.”
The other guys looked skeptical but seemingly trusted us.
We lost the coin toss, and Cooper assigned Finley to be a corner. She was fast and could easily keep up with their receiver. As a tight end, I was used to blocking, so I took that position. August played right corner opposite his sister.
As soon as the other team lined up, I knew from their formation they were going to use their running back to break for the goal. It would be up to me to stop him because Finley and August would stay on the other guys in case they were faking us out.
Only they weren’t that smart. Billy went with what he knew. I stopped the guy from getting too far so we wouldn’t have that much ground to cover.
In the huddle, Cooper simply said, “Protect my sister, and we’ve got the rest.”
Then he used hand signals for us and pointed at me. He would shovel the ball to Finley, and she would throw to August. I would protect her in closer range, and Cooper and the rest of the guys would hold the line.
“I’ve got your back,” I told her as we got in formation with us a little behind the line.
That damn smile she gave me was felt all the way to my toes. I had to look away and focus. No way would I let anyone get another cheap shot on my girl.
The play went off flawlessly. On the run, Finley threw the most perfect spiral to land in August’s hands like he’d been given a gift. And it was. He scored, and I saw some of the guys look at Finley a little differently. She kicked the extra point like a boss, and Billy’s side of the field looked more ready for battle.
“They are going to throw. No way Billy is going to let Finley outshine him,” Cooper said in the huddle. “Finley, switch. You on the right, August on the left.” He pointed to me. “You watch the runner. The rest of you penetrate the line and bring Billy down.”
As we lined up, I noticed that the stands were filling with people. It wasn’t crowded, but someone must have spread the word that a game was underfoot.
The play went off, and Billy threw to his receiver on the right near Finley. He thought her to be the weak link, only she tipped the ball that was thrown, and it bobbled. Unfortunately, the guy was taller and saved it to run it in. Worse, Bryant’s kick, though it looked wide right, just made it inside the upright. Game tied.
“It’s okay. This is our second play. Still trust me?” Cooper asked our team.
The guys murmured their agreement. “Alright. Same rules. Protect my sister. We will handle the rest.”
I was surprised when Finley didn’t argue this time. The signals Cooper flashed meant for me and August to run laterals, throwing the ball to each other a little behind as if we had too many defenders on our trail. They wouldn’t be expecting it.
It worked like a charm. We scored, and the stands erupted. Finley kicked another beautiful extra point. Our rag tag teammates launched her in the air like we’d won the game.
I glanced over at Coach to catch a smile. He knew exactly what he was doing. He’d guessed that Finley would gain respect from her team when they saw her in action but only during a game-like situation.
Billy wasn’t half bad. He switched things up. They ran their own trick play and scored another. Bryant tied things up but just barely. If he didn’t see by now why he’d been regulated to second string kicker, he was blind.
Cooper didn’t bother with a speech. “Let’s close things up, Finley.”
She nodded. No hand signals needed. I was supposed to block, and I would do just that. I planned to run as fast as I could and take down any asshole gunning for my girl. The ball was going to her. She and August would act like receivers. They would assume the ball would go to him even though Cooper would fake to me. But in fact, she would get the ball. She’d have to run like the devil was after her not to get tackled. It was a risk, a big one.
We lined up, and everything slowed to what felt like a single heartbeat every few seconds. The sun beat down on us, sweat pouring off me like rain. For precious moments, I couldn’t look at her and give the play away. She would be vulnerable.
Cooper called out the start of the play. I could hear my breaths along with every guy near me. Finley was too far away, and I had to pray she would be fine. We’d run this multiple times back home, but if they figured us out, she would go down, and the real war would begin.
The ball snapped. Cooper was in motion. He hustled my way, and I faked the handoff running in the opposite direction. I ran towards the line of scrimmage, still not able to check on Finley because some of Billy’s guys were buying it. Then I got hit from behind in time to see the ball leave Cooper’s hand. I struggled to my feet, but with so many bodies, I couldn’t really see.
Then silence. Everyone was too quiet for a second. Players finally moved giving a clear view of Finley running with two guys fast on her heels. I was quick but not fast enough to catch up to them. There was no way I could get to her in time. Then August appeared, barreling into the guy who was diving for Finley. She crossed the end zone, and our team ran toward her in victory.
I wanted to be the one to pick her up and to congratulate her first. But more than just our team was there. The guys from the sidelines surrounded her too. I decided to watch from the side as they chanted her name.
Cooper, also on the fringes, sidled up next to me as Finley was thrust on the shoulders of someone as our teammates continued to shout their praises.
“Do you like her?” he asked.
For a second, I thought he knew my secret until I followed his line of sight to Tori, who stood alone in the stands. Our eyes connected, and I had to admit there was so
mething very appealing about her, and Cooper felt it too.
“I don’t know,” I answered, not quite ready to give into the idea of a Plan B.
The noise surrounding us exploded, silencing my thoughts. I glanced up to see Billy had been lifted in the air. I blinked, not sure what was going on. His team had lost. The distance between him and Finley suddenly evaporated. Almost faster than I could blink, he cupped her face and then they were . . .
Finley jerked back, and by all accounts she was just as surprised as I was in that moment. Then she was lifted higher a second before landing on the ground. I couldn’t process what happened because a multitude of whistles blew at the same time quieting the crowd.
Orders were shouted, and the people started leaving the field. Billy had disappeared, but as the field thinned, I spotted him near Finley. August was red in the face yelling at his sister. He must have been the one to stop the improvised make out session.
Coach pointed. “Farrow . . . Banks, my office. Now. The rest of you who didn’t play, get back to your squads. Those of you who did, you’re dismissed for the day.”
There were grumbles and cheers. I moved alongside Cooper to intervene before August administered a lights out to Billy. Whatever he was saying, Billy only smirked before guiding Finley toward the complex. She didn’t meet my eye. I hadn’t congratulated her yet, which meant nothing in the grand scheme of things.
The biggest thing in my mind, considering my view had been blocked by his hands on her, was whether or not Finley had kissed or would have kissed Billy back.
Then I spotted Tori again. She looked as prim and proper as the first time we’d met. Her quietness as she stood alone appealed to me. When I caught her eye, her hesitant smile drew me in, and I walked over to her. Maybe something good could come out of what just happened.
17
finley
Once we were free of so many ears, I turned to Billy.
“Why would you do that?”
His smirk belied his words. “Do what?”
“After all of this time, you decide to kiss me now?” I challenged.
“I thought I made my interest in you pretty clear.”
He didn’t seem to be affected by my cutting stare. “You chose to kiss me in front of everyone.”
“It was as good enough time as any. You were glorious out there, and—”
Annoyed, I verbally slapped him. “And you wanted to mark me like when a dog pisses on a tree.”
His smirk vanished. “Finley, it’s not like that. It felt right, you and me.”
I knew what I should feel. Billy had been pawed like a rock star god as we’d left the field. Girls congratulated him like he’d scored the winning touchdown, not me. The hatred in their eyes cut at me as their jealousy mounted. Was I as lucky as their glares suggested? Did I . . . feel lucky?
My thoughts shuffled back to Shepard. I’d spotted him talking to Tori as we left. Rose color had filled her pretty tanned cheeks. What could he have said that had embarrassed her so? But that was a dumb question. A confession of how much he liked her could have done the trick.
Billy remained mute, just waiting. Why was I being stupid? I hadn’t yet given him the chance I promised myself I would. I’d still hoped that maybe . . .
“Please don’t do that again,” I said.
He looked properly chastened, though he said nothing more. I arrived at Coach’s office with an apology rehearsed in my head. Billy, as I would find out, had something totally different in mind.
Coach arrived red-faced and sputtering. “The two of you . . .” His gaze bounced between us. “You will not happen on my watch.”
“Yes, Coach,” I said, the same time Billy said, “There’s no rule against it.”
I glared at him. Either he hadn’t heard me or had ignored what I said.
Instead he confidently continued. “You can’t stop it.”
Coach was having none of it. “I can, and I will. As of this moment there is a no fraternization rule. Anyone who breaks it is off the team.”
My jaw locked in an open position with no words forming on my tongue.
I gave Billy my harshest look before focusing on Coach. “Of course. It won’t happen.”
Coach, no longer looking like a tomato about to explode, nodded. I made for the door with Billy right behind me.
I had just gotten the door open and was halfway out of it when Billy added, “We won’t date openly.”
Billy’s hand was at my back carrying my momentum all the way out into the hall. Whatever Coach had said in response was muffled by the closed door.
Billy didn’t seem to grasp the gravity of the situation. He pivoted me against the wall in under a second and crushed his mouth on mine. I gasped from the sudden movement, and he took advantage, sweeping his tongue over mine. I shoved him hard and glared daggers at him.
“I thought we agreed not to do this.”
I wasn’t affected by Billy’s pout. “You did. I didn’t.” He glanced around. “Besides, no one’s here.”
I jabbed a finger in the direction of Coach’s office. “You may have some pull on this team to be able to break the rules, but I don’t,” I whispered loudly, before spinning on my heels. I stopped at my locker to leave my practice jersey and shoulder pads there and then marched for the exit in my new uncut T-Shirt and shorts.
Stepping into the hallway wasn’t any better. I ran into my brothers and Shepard, who appeared a little flushed. What had he been doing?
August wasn’t any happier than he had been on the field, and he laid into me like our conversation hadn’t ended there.
“This is a mistake. He’s bad news,” he said.
Already fired up from my argument with Billy, I shot back, “How would you know that? You don’t even know him.”
“I don’t have to know him. I’m a guy. I know what he’s thinking.”
Shepard stepped in, trying to calm August as Cooper put a comforting hand on my shoulder. Though Coop was more likely trying to hold me back as August and I faced off. Only I wasn’t ready to end the battle.
“Not every guy is like you,” I said a little too late to take it back.
August’s mouth clamped shut, and immediately I regretted my words. It was a cheap shot considering I knew better than anyone he was just trying to protect me. And there had been a number of times over the years I’d been grateful for his protectiveness. He’d been right about several douchebags who’d seen me as nothing more than a conquest.
“You’d be lucky to find a guy like me. At least I won’t walk around like I’ve got a selfie of my flag planted in your . . .” His gaze dropped to the general vicinity of my who ha.
I simmered down some and calmly said, “Thanks for your concern. But it really isn’t any of your business if I have one flag or the whole United Nations represented there. It’s my choice. Not yours.”
I pushed past them, annoyed with the male gender in general. It rankled me that the double standards still existed. August might have meant well, but in the end, he thought like most guys. But what worried me was whether or not he was right. Was Billy just another asshole in disguise?
My solitary ride down the escalator was cut short when Shepard caught up with me.
“Finley,” he said before his hand landed on my arm.
I whipped around ready to give him a piece of my mind when I saw genuine concern in his expression.
“What?” I snapped, cutting myself off from saying anything else.
His lips pursed, and I turned to step off onto the lower level.
“Wait.” I paused and worked to get my breathing under control as he moved to face me. “He means well.”
My heart, which had pumped at angry levels, didn’t slow. Shepard stole all the air from my lungs just by the way he looked at me. My heart betrayed me by skipping several beats as I formed a response in my head.
“Do you agree with him?” I quietly asked.
“About Banks?”
I nodded.
He considered, and I caught the moment he decided what he wanted to say. His lips pressed together before he exhaled long and hard. “I don’t want to like the guy, but so far I haven’t seen him do anything for you to be worried about.” I thought he was done, but he added, “Like you said, it’s your decision.”
If I’d been as lyrical as he was capable of, I would say he searched my soul for something with the way he stared at me. It was as if he expected me to respond.
But all I could say was, “Thanks.”
I walked away still very much confused by what to do. According to Finn, I should take a chance and tell Shepard the truth. My cowardly mind screamed to move forward with Billy if nothing more than to spite my brother. But before the night was over, my heart would decide for me.
Everything changed when I came out of the pool locker room to be accosted by Emily.
“Oh my gosh, you were great! I mean that was freakin’ fantastic. Everyone is talking about it. You showed those boys just who could play ball.”
She fiercely hugged me, dancing on her feet like we were best friends. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that or the fact that Tori stood a few feet away with a grin on her face.
The more mature me who’d showered off the stink of resentment realized that I couldn’t be mad at her. I hadn’t told either of them my true feelings for Shep. Tori was more than entitled to date him.
“I ran into Shepard and Tori here. He said there is a thing at your house and told me to come if I wanted to. When I told him I would, he asked me to offer you a ride in case you didn’t want to go with them. Something about a blow out between you and August.”
Tori jumped in. “Shepard said they would wait to hear from you.”
I pulled out my phone. “I’d rather ride with either of you if you don’t mind.”
Tori lifted a hand and wiggled her keys.
Emily stepped back and said, “She offered to drive since I’d walked over here from practice.”
Finally, I glanced down and noticed what she was wearing.
Songs For Cricket Page 9