Forever Love

by Chelsea Landon

  “No,” he yells over the music. “If you’re going to ask her, you’ll need practice. Ask me.”

  Embarrassed, I lean down and whisper, “I am not proposing to you, Steven.”

  “I don’t see what your problem is! Wouldn’t you want to marry me?”

  I grab him by his jersey. “Get up!”

  The crowd is insane, mostly because Landon is still humping the floor. He’s going to fucking town on that. I look to Macy, her eyes are so wide you’d think he stripped. I look back at him, his jersey’s gone. So yeah, he stripped. I don’t think Landon likes clothes much. He’s spent a good amount of his high school years half naked. I’ve seen his white ass entirely too many times.

  It’s my favorite part of the skit right then, it’s when Madison struts up to me. I push Steven aside and grab Madison’s hand in the center of the gym. The music fades and we slow dance to the opening notes of “It’s Time” by the Black Eyed Peas. She raises up on her toes and kisses my helmet. We break apart, she stays in front while the team huddles behind her and the song changes again to “Ice Ice Baby.” Madison is shaking her ass around us, and all I can do is watch knowing every eye in the gym is watching my girl’s ass.

  I’m not surprised. Madison Thomas is every guys dream girl.

  Get a good look boys. I’ll be watching it bounce on my dick later.

  Jesus. Steven has taken over my brain.

  It’s then the music is fading again and we’re almost done with our part of the pep rally. It’s a good thing because this is a lot of work. I’m not cut out to be a dancer. I can run drills all day on the field but you ask me to shake my ass for longer than a four-minute song and I’m winded.

  I take Madison by the hand as the original “Time Of My Life” from Dirty Dancing comes on and we slow dance. Landon breaks us apart. He dances with her for about two seconds and pulls back to look at her, then looks to Macy and smiles, pretending like he had the wrong twin. There’s not much difference between Madison and Macy, to most, but to us, there are plenty of differences.

  Landon and Steven grab the girls and the entire gym goes wild when the lights go dark.

  We end with “Teach Me How To Dougie” and attempting to teach the girls how to play football in a skit. They make one play and the crowd goes wild, if they weren’t wild before. We definitely blew the roof off of the school with this pep rally.

  We’re out of breath when the gym goes black and Coach Mitchel enters the gym shaking his head. “How ‘bout them boys?” They’re screaming in response, hyped beyond belief. I’ve never heard them this loud and it’s reassuring that every one of these screaming faces will be there tomorrow night when we stomp Lake Oswego.

  Coach places his hand on his hip and gives a nod to me and the boys. “Thanks to the trio for the special show.” He laughs, then eyes Landon, doesn’t even respond to the theatrics of his floor hump. He wants to but doesn’t.

  I move my head from Madison’s shoulder and yell over at Coach. “You’re welcome!”

  He laughs and shakes his head at me. “Is everyone fired up over this game, or what?”

  Our school gives him what he’s looking for, the loud thunderous screams.

  He laughs, smiling. “I’ve coached here at Canby High School for the last twenty years and this team, this group of players is one of the best I’ve ever had with an undefeated season heading into the championship game. We need a great seed like we have right here and I will assure you the boys will play and win the championship game tomorrow.”

  After school Steven, Landon, and the other starters went with the coaches up to Portland to check out the field. It wasn’t that we needed to, but it was all about unity and building bonds together. They wanted us together as much as possible. From early August until now, we’ve been with each other more than anyone else. I haven’t even seen Madison as much as I’ve seen Steven and Landon. Which sucks because seeing their naked asses after practice is not how I want to end my day.

  When you play high school football the coaches’ goal is teaching you how to one, play the game, but more importantly how to play it right. They want to teach you conditioning and skills, unity and bonds that last, respect for the players, coaches, and the game. What you learn in those years from peewee football all the way up to the last game of your senior year stays with you. Believe me.

  After we leave the stadium, Coach stops us in the parking lot, his eyes watchful of us. “You’re getting a text later, boys. You’re required to show up.”

  We knew that meeting was coming but it didn’t put a damper on our plans for tonight with the girls. It’s only for the starters and its location and how it’s presented is a secret. We have no idea what he’ll talk to us about but we could just about guess. Commitment. He wants us dedicated to the win.

  If anyone is dedicated to bringing home this state championship to this small town, it’s me and my boys. For twenty-two years they’ve tried, we’ve tried, and it’s never been done. This season we’ve led them through an undefeated senior year. This is that once in a lifetime shot at this. If not now, when?

  It’s rare, okay, it’s basically unheard of for three players to get scholarships to the same school. Given our season and being the talk of the town, it tends to lend well to recognition.

  Somehow Steven, Landon and I have full rides to the University of Oregon, a school we’ve talked about going to since we were just starting out in peewee football. Steven got his letter first. I’m sure they would have given him a full ride when he was a freshman if they could have. He’s just that good.

  I had my choice of probably thirty colleges. By my senior year the offers started rolling in even before that first game. I waited. And I waited some more to see where my boys would go. Steven was the first to decide and went with the University of Oregon. Landon chose next and turned down a full ride to the University of Washington and Alabama State just to go to the same school as Steven. My decision had been made.

  It’s crazy to think this time next year we’ll be playing college football. Landon and Steven and I would joke about playing football in college and then the NFL.

  How cool would that be, right?

  We didn’t have a lot planned that night because we should have been relaxing, which I think was part of the Coach’s plan. He thought if he disrupted the night, we wouldn’t get rowdy.

  Little did he know getting rowdy for me had an entirely different meaning tonight.

  The meeting was nothing, just the coach giving us a pep talk and as I suspected, making sure we weren’t drunk.

  “How’s the night going, boys?” He asks, watching us. I think if he could have, he would have given us sobriety tests.

  “We’re fine.” I say, assuring him with a smile.

  Steven leans into my side putting his arm around me and Landon chilling on the other side of him. “Well… most of us are.” He laughs, nodding to us like we’re supposed to agree.

  Landon looks away to the darkness of the parking lot. He’s already had one beer, maybe two but we’re not about to saying anything. I think he’s about ready to burst out laughing any minute but I can’t be completely sure. Landon has a way of maintaining his cool when you least expect it.

  Coach eyes the three of us and laughs, nudging Danny, our assistant coach with his elbow. I think he knows we’re good. If he doesn’t have to worry, it’s about us three. We may get rowdy at times but we got our heads on and we know what this means to this town. He should know what it means to us.

  I turn my head to Steven, raising an eyebrow and willing him to shut up. Coach will keep us here all night if he thinks we’re up to no good.

  “Alright boys. See you in the morning. Drink plenty of water and get a good night’s rest.”

  I’d like to say we’d follow those edicts to the letter but I had no intention of sleeping tonight. I’m not sure my body would even let me.

  Coach and Danny head back to the truck. When they’re gone the rest of the team drifts back to t
heir vehicles and leave.

  Landon puts his arm around Steven and me. “We gotta go see about some ladies.”

  Steven nods. “That we do.”

  When we get back to Alexa’s house, my dad sends me a text making sure I’m being good. I always am. He rarely has to worry about me because I’m the most focused on our team. I believe that’s because I’m nothing like Landon, the bad boy, and Steven, the jokester.

  What he worries about is the girl staring at me. He’s convinced, no, he’s adamant she’s ruining my life. He doesn’t know what the fuck he’s talking about.

  Tonight I’m a little more relaxed and I’m having a beer. Just one. Landon has five. I have no idea how he plays the next day when he does that.

  “Get naked with me,” Madison says tugging on my shorts when we were in the pool.

  “No,” I smile pulling back and standing on the pool deck. Alexa turns up the music right then, Madison has to strain to hear me. “If I take them off, I’ll fuck you in the pool.”

  She stares at me. Watching me watch her for a second.

  “What’s wrong with that?” She’s teasing.

  I step forward, she smiles and I press her against the side of the pool, my knees hitting the concrete wall when she wraps her long legs around me and presses her heels into my ass dragging me forward. I go with the motion, my hands rested on her ass. My fingers slide under the thin fabric of her bikini.

  “Show us those moves from the pep rally!” Macy says, encouraging Landon to get even wilder. Removing himself from Macy, he drops to his knees and does a hip thrusting move when “Ice Ice Baby” comes on.

  The song’s half way through and I’m laughing so hard I can barely stand.

  We were starting to get out of hand, laughing and joking around. It’s not long and I’ve fallen flat on my ass smacking my fucking elbow trying to show Madison some moves. That’s when I decide that was enough messing around.

  “Whoa!” Steve held up his hands laughing but he’s serious when he points to me. “That’s enough. You can’t get hurt!”

  He was right. That was my throwing arm I fell on. I have to think about the game, and now my scholarship was also on the line.

  Landon’s always been the party animal. If there’s a party, he’s at it. I usually am too if my boys are but I’m not into the rough stuff. Landon, however, was nearly always high, tonight was the exception. He claimed he played better that way but when they started doing random drug tests, he laid off the shit for most of the season. I had a feeling tomorrow night would be a different story altogether.

  Eventually Madison is taking off her bikini and though it’s an outside pool and the lights are off, I can see her every curve. Alexa strips too. Landon and Steven as well with only Macy refusing to go full commando. She gets her top off and decides that’s enough.

  None of us last long outside skinny dipping in the pool. For one, I don’t want to see Steven or Landon naked any more than I want them seeing Madison naked. For another, it’s December and cold as hell even with the heated pool.

  “Do you think about next year?” I ask Madison when we’re inside the spare bedroom. We can hear Landon in the other room beating on the walls and making sex noises. He’s teasing. At least I hope he is because if he is that wild, he’s going to break something.

  “Sometimes,” Madison says, her lips on my neck. “I think about us being able to do this every night if we want to.”

  “We will want to.” I tease hovering over her, my hands tickling her sides. We’re naked but we haven’t had sex yet, I’m about to show her why we will most definitely want to.

  “You were so sexy today doing that dance,” she says just as I enter her.

  I smile, getting cocky, grinding my hips into her. “See, I’m the better dancer, huh?”

  She arches into me wrapping her legs around my waist. “You’ve got the moves I want for sure.”

  “You want me?” I pull back raising up on my elbows, knowing her response. I’ve had sex with Madison in my car more times I can count. Even on the bleachers at the stadium, on the field after a game, in the back of Landon’s truck and even in my bed. Most of the time we’re sneaking around and time is never on our side. Tonight though, we don’t have to rush. Alexa’s parents are away and it’s the first time we’ve been able to sleep together in a bed all night.

  “Forever.”

  Don’t propose while having sex. I have to tell myself this multiple times. Steven’s right, it should be tomorrow. It should be on a beach and it should be romantic. You only have one chance to pop the question and even though she prefers simplicity, I need her to know how epic of a moment this is for me because she’s mine, always.

  Madison is wild and spur of the moment. She’s completely opposite from me. Some call her slutty but she’s only ever been with me.

  I think about that ring as we lay in bed that night.

  If my dad knew I bought a ring, he’d tell me I’m throwing away football for a girl.

  He’d be pissed.

  No one can say anything though. This girl is mine. She doesn’t push me away. She never would. She tells me she loves me and gives me forever.

  December 4, 2010

  I would think I would be nervous.

  I prepared myself to be nervous.

  When I wake up and I don’t feel that nervousness, it feels like something is off.

  Despite that, the first few hours of the morning go by slowly as Macy cooks us all breakfast. By the time eight AM rolls around, we’re heading for the high school to meet the team.

  Once on the bus, I’m not talking. I’m not interacting at all. I’m thinking. I do that a lot. My mind wanders but never landing on anything in particular.

  I would say my main focus was on the offensive line. I had to know Landon and Steven were ready. I watched them over breakfast and I watch them inside the locker room once we get to the stadium, looking for any sign that the pressure is getting to them. Neither give me any indication that it is. I want to reassure myself and them that I’m not nervous but I am. A little. I’ve led these boys through an undefeated season and into a championship game.

  Landon elbows me as I’m putting on my pads. “You okay, bro?”

  I pull out my earbud and smile. “Yep.”

  “Arms good and strong?” he raises an eyebrow reaching for his jersey in front of him.

  “Yep.”

  He smiles too and I put my earbuds back in and get lost in Nine Inch Nails.

  We sit there in the locker room, each of us getting ready in our own ways. Steven is focused. He was by far the most talented player on the team. And I say that with one hundred percent certainty. Not only did he have a natural athletic talent at anything he did, football was his sport. I’m sure he was going to show those college boys a thing or two.

  It’s not long before game time when Coach approaches, there’s a subtly he holds, a means of calming us all down in ways only he can. He stands there with his hand against the lockers, his eyes low on the ground.

  Before speaking, he regards us once again and I see the pride. Every coach has a set of players they will remember. Ones that no matter how many years they coach, they remember those boys. I can say that I know this group is the one for him. He’s spent the last four years working with us, teaching us the fundamentals of the sport and that unity you need. We had it and it was because of him. In turn, we became like his sons. A group of boys he could never forget.

  He smiles as he speaks, his eyes on Steven, and then me. “I don’t know what to say to you boys that you haven’t heard me say already this season. You made this happen. You were perfect this season. We’re undefeated and we’ll keep it that way. I know that because when I look to Landon, I know he can run the ball. I look to Griffin and I see his bright eyes and know he’s keeping Cash calm and giving him the confidence he needs. Being perfect isn’t about winning. It’s about you and how you feel about yourself. These relationships that you’ve built over the years,
they will last a lifetime. Live in this moment right here, tonight.” His eyes shift and focus on Landon, who’s staring at him. “Don’t ever forget what this gives you, what tonight makes you feel. Think of it because it can last forever.”

  What he said really stuck with me. Tonight would stay with me forever because I was changing my life. I was asking a girl to marry me. Not only would my life never be the same, neither would hers based on this decision.

  Something told me she would say yes.

  A nagging thought weaved its way in… what if she didn’t?

  It’s the fourth quarter before we know it, 41 to 34 with two minutes left on the play clock. We may not need this touchdown but we’re damn sure gonna take it. We do a few plays running the clock down and pushing them back into the end zone when we’re within reach of a field goal.

  I’m not going for a field goal though.

  I’ve been waiting for a chance like this for what feels like forever. It’s not even the game. It’s playing with these boys that I’ll remember. We may never get this again. Who knows what college ball will bring. Who knows what college in general will bring.

  For tonight, our town, our boys, have this memory we’re creating.

  I can feel sweat running down my face mixing with the light sticky mist of rain falling. The steam rolls from our breath as we huddle up and I give the orders for the last play, the one that should give Landon the ball and the yards he’s looking for. We break huddle, I look to my right and see Madison and the girls, their screams silent from here but I see them cheering us on. I look to coach next, barely breathing. He gives me the nod, the one that says he trusts his quarterback and what I’m about to do.

  I clap my hands, the ball snaps and time stands still for me. There’s movement around me, bodies running, others falling. I see Landon held up at the line of scrimmage for a moment and I draw back and throw down field where I know he’s going to be.

  And then I breathe.

  The clock has five seconds remaining.

  Landon reaches out and snags the ball, faking left, then right to ward off the tackle. As I watch the final seconds of the game, I take a knee.