First down, they ran the ball three yards.
Second down, just two yards.
Third down needed to be a long pass down the field.
The crowd went silent. The ball was in the air, flying down to the end zone. One of the wide receivers reached up with one hand and caught the ball. The stadium erupted. They were only down by one point with mere seconds left to go. A successful extra point kick would send the game into overtime. A two-point conversion would win it.
I led one final cheer before the final play. When I turned around, I saw the kicker run on to the field. The center hiked the ball to the holder, who quickly stood up and got ready to throw the ball.
It was a trick play!
The ball went flying through the air to find our receiver in the corner of the end zone. I held my breath as I watched it soar toward his hands. Two players bobbled it in the air, and one of our players grabbed it. It was over. The Princeton Tigers won the final game of the season!
The excitement in the crowd was intoxicating. The cheerleaders ran onto the field to join the players and students in celebration. We were jumping around and singing the school’s fight song.
It was loud and there were people everywhere. At one point, I felt a hand graze my lower back. I turned around to see who it was, but they were gone. My heart was beating faster, but I wasn’t quite sure why. Maybe I just got caught up in the win.
“Come on, Alexa,” Sasha called to me. “Let’s change and go get some drinks.”
I nodded. “Good idea. I’ll buy.”
“Good,” she said, draping her arm around my shoulder. “I wasn’t going to offer.”
Martin
I don’t think I’ve ever been under so much pressure in my life. This is my last college football game and the stakes are high. The quarterback always gets blamed for losses.
I could put up amazing stats, but if my linemen aren’t blocking well, I get full blame for the sacks. Since I’m the captain, I think my teammates blame me for losses. They would never say anything to my face, but I still hear the whispers in the locker room when no one knows I’m there.
The way I play tonight could determine my future. We’re not really known as a “football school” so it’s harder to get recognition from professional football scouts than the guys who play in a power conference.
Best-case scenario, I get drafted in the first two rounds. Ideally, I move back home and play in Denver, just like my dad did. We’ve had our differences over the years, but I’d like to experience just a small amount of the glory he had in his professional career. Worst comes to worst, I’ll be a free agent and work out with a few teams and try to earn a spot. Somewhere. Anywhere.
I also really wanted to win this game because my team had never gotten this far. It would mean so much to my coach, my team, and all of the fans if we won this. So many people were counting on me to make it happen.
“Martin,” Coach said, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Are you focused?”
“Yes, coach,” I responded. I was never going to get drafted if I couldn’t focus enough to win this game.
“We’re going to do some things differently in the second half. Their defense has figured out our run game. You’re going to have to make more passes.”
“Okay,” I replied. I didn’t have a lot of confidence in my wide receivers.
“And Martin, try to have some fun out there,” Coach said as we left the locker room.
I ran to the field for the second half with a clear mind and a fresh focus. I saw Alexa, one of the cuter cheerleaders, looking right at me as I neared the sideline. I had a weakness for the way she looked when her hair was blowing in the wind. I tried to put the image of her doing flips and cheering out of my mind.
The first few plays of the second half did not go well. The receivers were not catching the ball. I looked to the sideline for some guidance. My backup and best friend, Reg, was giving me signals for the next play call.
I could always trust him to help me out during tough games. I took the snap and handed it off to Sam. He ran just four yards, but it was good enough for a first down. No one ever needed to tell Sam to focus. The guy was an animal.
After a few rough plays, we were nearly to field goal range. We were still down by eight. I threw a long pass to Donny Jackson. I didn’t care for the kid, but he was the only one open. My perfect spiral landed right into his open hands. Touchdown! He did a stupid little dance in the end zone. He’s lucky he didn’t get a penalty for excessive celebration, or I would have to have some strong words with him.
Coach called me over to the sideline. I was mentally preparing myself for overtime.
“What’s the plan for overtime?” I asked.
“There’s not going to be an overtime,” he replied. “We’re going for the kicker fake. We’re going to finish this now.”
I felt gutted. I always pictured myself standing on the field, having the realization that this was my last play of my college career. Little did I know that moment had passed and I didn’t get the chance to take it in. I trusted my teammates, but I was nervous. I didn’t like it when things were out of my control.
I watched the play, holding my breath the entire time. The ball flew through the air for what seemed like minutes. We got it! The game was over and we won!
I know it’s not possible, but it really seemed like the whole stadium emptied and rushed onto the field by the time I left the sideline. The field became one big party. My teammates jumped up and down and hugged one another. I saw Alexa again and had the sudden urge to pick her up and kiss her.
I resisted, because I knew that would freak her out. Instead, I could just ask her if she was going to the after party. That would be okay. I tapped her on the back, and then panicked. I quickly walked through the crowd, toward the locker room. There would be time to talk later—if she showed up at the party.
Alexa
There was this weird flutter in my stomach as I got ready for the party with Sasha and Gia. It felt like nerves, but there was no reason to be nervous now, the game was over. Maybe I was just feeling excited for the fun night ahead of me. It’s not every day that your team wins the big game.
Sasha, Gia, and I lived in the apartment-style housing on campus. These buildings were filled with athletes, because the athletic department let the sports teams have everything they want. Our dorm is pretty spacious, but like usual, my roommates were crowded in my closet, looking for something to wear to the party.
“Alexa, is this new?” Sasha asked as she held up a black dress.
“No,” I replied. “I’ve had it for a while.”
“I’m going to start checking for doors to Narnia,” she joked. “I’ve been in here hundreds of times, and I’m still finding stuff I’ve never seen before.”
“I dread the day we move out because that means I’ll have to start buying my own clothes,” Gia said.
Getting ready for parties with my girls was one of my favorite things to do. We made a good team; Gia was skilled at doing hair and makeup, I provided the clothes, and Sasha always gave an honest opinion about how we looked.
“We should probably try to leave soon, or the bar will be too packed to get drinks,” I said as I wiggled into my skintight knee-length skirt.
“Girls with asses like yours don’t have to buy their own drinks,” Sasha laughed. “I bet that you’re offered at least five drinks in the first ten minutes. What do you think, Gia?”
“At least seven.”
“Funny,” I replied. “Anyway, I’m perfectly capable of buying my own drinks.”
We called for a cab and less than 10 minutes later we were on our way to the bar. The cheerleaders had been talking about how awesome this club was. Apparently, there was even a special VIP area for the football players. And anywhere the football players were, you could guarantee that there would be cheerleaders right next to them.
“We’ll have three Vodka Cranberries,” I said to the bartender when we finally wedged o
urselves up to the bar.
“No, they’ll have three shots of tequila,” a voice said from behind us. “This is a party.”
“Reg! Congrats on the win,” I shouted over the booming dance music.
“Thanks. You ladies are welcome to come back to the VIP section. The service is much better back there.”
“Do you want to start a tab?” The bartender asked.
“Yeah, why not? This is a party,” I echoed Reg, to his delight.
We drank our tequila and sucked on the limes to ease the burn. The club was in full swing. The lights were flashing in a dizzying array and the music was deafening. It’s the kind of place where you have to yell just to have a conversation with someone.
“Sasha,” I said. “Promise me that you won’t let me make any questionable decisions tonight.”
“Too late,” she said as she handed out another round of shots.
We made our way to the back of the club to hang out with some of the football guys. Sam waved us over to where he was sitting.
“I’m glad we won,” Sam said. “Because this party would have been miserable if we lost.”
“Things are going to get crazy tonight,” Reg said. “Coach never liked it when we drank during the season, so everyone is making up for lost time tonight.”
“Hey, we’re getting bottle service, do you guys want anything?” Martin asked. My stomach did a flip when I saw him. Don’t be stupid, I thought to myself. Nothing is going to happen tonight.
“No, you guys just won the game. I’m treating you to drinks. Put it on my tab,” I ordered.
He beamed and ran off to find the waitress. She returned with a full bottle of vodka and several different mixers. We drank and laughed about all of the fun times we had had over the past four football seasons.
“Remember that time when Sam was going to ask Gia out after the homecoming game? He was so nervous and played terribly. How many fumbles did you have that game? Four?” Reg laughed.
“It was three, and I had a good reason to be nervous. I was planning on asking out the hottest cheerleader on the squad, and to be honest, she kind of scared me.”
“Aww...” everyone mocked as they kissed.
“What about the time when Martin stole Alexa’s poms during the game and hid them in an equipment bag?” Sam said.
“That was you?” I roared at Martin. “I thought I lost them and I got in so much trouble with the cheer coach. He had to run all the way to our practice room across campus to get me new ones.” I smacked him on the arm. “Well, now that we’re telling secrets, I was the one who filled your dorm room with balloons freshman year.”
“Oh, I knew that,” he smiled. “When people do that prank, they usually blow up the balloons themselves. Only Alexa Hall spends that much money on helium-filled balloons for a silly prank.”
My face felt hot. My family’s wealth was no secret, but it was embarrassing when people poked fun at me for it.
“Alexa,” said a voice from the booth behind us. “You look amazing tonight. Come dance with me.”
It was Donny. He was another rich kid, but unlike me, he flaunted it at every opportunity.
“Sure,” I said, already feeling very tipsy. “You’re lucky they’re playing good music tonight.”
Sam and Gia got up and followed us to the dance floor, and a minute later, Reg and Sasha followed. Donny pressed his body up against mine and we swayed to the music. He wasn’t a bad dancer, but the way he ran his hands up and down my body creeped me out. I looked up and saw Martin sitting at our table with a girl I’d never seen before. I started dancing harder, moving closer to where we were previously sitting. Donny loved it, but he couldn’t keep up with my dancing. I looked back over at Martin. He and the girl were laughing and she had her arm draped over his shoulder, talking right in his ear.
“I’m going to get some air,” I yelled to Donny. “It’s too hot in here.”
“Want me to go with you?” he asked.
“No, I’m alright.”
I went to the bathroom and carefully blotted my face with a paper towel. I wonder what Martin was saying that was so funny, I thought to myself. I don’t get jealous about guys. I’ve never had to chase after them; they’ve always pursued me. I wasn’t even really interested in him anyway. I was just surprised that he wasn’t into me.
When I got back to the table, my friends were all back from the dance floor, ready for another round of drinks. I suddenly felt awkward around Martin and poured myself a strong drink to occupy myself while the others talked.
“We only have an hour left before the bar closes,” Sasha said. “Let’s do some shots!”
I don’t know where these drinks were coming from, but they kept arriving every five minutes or so. We threw back fruity drinks with bright colors and foul tasting liquors, grimacing after each one. After a while, Martin started refusing his shots, so I took them, not wanting any drink to go to waste.
“Are you sure you should be drinking this much?” Martin asked, sipping his glass of ice water.
“I can handle it,” I said. “But apparently, you can’t.”
“You’re right,” he said. “I want to be able to remember my name and address by the time this bar closes tonight.”
“I have to go to the bathroom,” I announced. “Who wants to come with me?”
Gia and Sasha followed me to the bathroom.
“It looks like Martin is having a good time tonight,” Gia started.
“Yeah, I guess. Aren’t we all?” I replied.
“No, silly,” Gia said. “Having a good time with you.”
“I don’t think so. He was getting pretty chatty with a girl while I was dancing with Donny.”
“How did that make you feel?” Sasha pressed.
“It didn’t. He can talk to whomever he wants.”
When we left the bathroom, the lights were on and the music was turned down. It was last call and people were starting to shuffle out the door. I grabbed the bill on the table, signed it without looking, and handed it back to the waitress.
“We spent eight hundred dollars here,” Martin said, in shock. “I feel terrible, let me pay you back.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said waving my hand in his face. “It’s not a big deal.”
“It’s eight hundred dollars,” he said quietly.
“Then I better not let a drop of alcohol go to waste,” I said as I poured several gulps of vodka straight from the bottle.
“You’re crazy, Lex,” Martin laughed. “Are you coming to the after party at my place?”
“Hell, yeah! Let’s keep the party going,” I cheered. “Girls, are you coming?”
“I’m all partied out,” said Gia. “I’m going to stay at Sam’s tonight.”
“I might show up later,” Sasha said, slightly blushing. She looked back at Reg. “Make sure you call me if you need anything.”
“You guys are party poopers,” I slurred. “I’ll see you guys later.”
I looped my arm around Martin’s muscular bicep to steady myself. The room was starting to spin, but I knew I would be fine once I was outside in the cool autumn air.
Martin
“Are you going to ask her to come over?” Reg asked me.
“Who?”
“Alexa, you idiot. Who else? It’s obvious that you’re into her.”
“I don’t think she’ll want to. She’s pretty drunk and I bet there are a bunch of different parties for her to choose from,” I said as I rattled the ice in my glass.
Alexa doesn’t go for guys like me. I saw her dancing with Donny. He’s probably more her type. He’s an idiot, but he can join the family business and give her the life she deserves. I’m not even a college athlete anymore.
You could say I was surprised when I asked her to come over and she said yes. But in her defense, she was very drunk and just wanted to have a good time. When she put her arm around mine, I could smell her shampoo. It was more intoxicating than any of the drinks we had ton
ight, combined.
This is the night that every football player fantasizes about. You win the big game - the last game of your college career. You will forever be remembered, by your school and your fans, for how well you played in that last nail-biter of a game.
Then, you get to go to a crazy party where everyone is buying you drinks. I must have shaken a hundred fans’ hands at that bar. Everyone wants to take a picture with you. When you’re the star quarterback, you can get just about any girl you want. And it drives you crazy when there’s only one you want to be with, and she wants nothing to do with you.
But if she’s walking with me back to my place, there’s got to be a chance, right? This was happening way too quickly. I wasn’t prepared for this. I hadn’t planned any moves beyond asking her to come over, which I was sure wasn’t going to happen.
She’s pretty drunk, so I was pretty sure that she would make out with me. What if things went further? I thought about her delicate collarbone, the curve of her waist, and her muscular thighs.
I wanted to touch all of her. Would she let me? And what happened if she did? Would we be together, or would she regret it in the morning? I was getting way ahead of myself; we weren’t even out of the bar yet.
“You sure you’re alright?” I asked as she stumbled around the bar’s tables.
“Never been better,” she smiled up at me.
The second we got outside, she threw up all over the sidewalk.
“Oh, Alexa,” I said as I pulled her long hair out of the way. “Looks like someone can’t handle her liquor.”
She groaned.
“Alexa “Put it on my Tab” Hall, the girl who shut down the bar because she drank all of their alcohol,” I teased.
“Don’t laugh at me,” she whined.
I held back a chuckle. She was cute even when she was doing something so disgusting. My ideas for the rest of the night ended shortly after they began.
Object Me: A Bad Boy Lawyer Romance Page 14