Love Me, Love Me Not (Incongruent Figures #1)

by S. M. Koz

“Want to hang out for a while?” I ask, sensing she’s not quite ready for our lunch date to end.

  “Sure!”

  We spend the next few hours watching MTV in the basement. The entire time, she fills me in on all the Pinecrest gossip of who’s dating who and who has a past with who. Despite not wanting to be part of the rumor mill, I find myself getting pulled into her stories. By the time she leaves, I have a much better appreciation for my classmates and their detailed histories from the past ten years.

  Overall, it was a fun day and Brad was right—she can be nice. I don’t think we’ll be best friends anytime soon, but I wouldn’t mind hanging out with her again. I know our situation is a little weird and someone watching from the outside would probably say it’d be impossible for us to have any sort of friendship, but I get the impression we’ll make it work somehow. Today was definitely a step in the right direction, at least. We’ll see what tomorrow holds.

  Chapter 27

  BRAD

  No time outs. One minute ten seconds left in the game. One minute ten seconds is all that stands between me and the state championship. One minute ten seconds is all that stands between me and making Dad proud.

  I know I’ve got this. We’re down by four, but have the ball at the Colts’ twenty-five yard line. It’s first and ten. Todd’s my receiver. We’ve been playing together since pee-wee football and can read each other better than any other two players on the team.

  I take a deep breath and visualize the play in my mind. Carlos will snap me the ball. I’ll take a three step drop, while Todd runs a post route. At just the right moment, I’ll sling a flawless pass. He’ll split the safeties and sprint to the end zone.

  “Forty-three, sixty-two, nineteen, hut!”

  The snap is perfect. I drop back. Demetrius, J-Dogg, and the others engage the defenders to form a textbook pocket. I search for Todd. He’s not running along the left like planned. He can’t. They cheated the safety toward his side of the field and double teamed him. I scan the others, looking for someone open, but my only option is Slick. There’s a reason he has that nickname. He couldn’t fumble any more if his hands were covered with grease.

  I don’t have a choice, though. I whip my hand forward, sending the ball in a tight spiral toward his chest. He snatches it out of the air, giving me a moment of hope, but then it falls through his fingers as the other safety knocks him to the ground.

  “Shit!” I yell, stomping my foot.

  “We’ve got this!” Carlos says, hitting my back. “They know you want Todd. We need to surprise them.”

  He’s right. We turn to Coach, who realizes the same thing, because he motions for us to run a counter to the left.

  Fifty-eight seconds.

  The ball is snapped and I hand it off to the running back. He starts right, then cuts left into a hole and is quickly tackled, gaining only two yards.

  Fifty-three seconds.

  We’ve got to hurry. It’s third and eight now. The confidence I had two plays ago is starting to fade. Todd is our best hope. If we can’t get to him, I’m not sure how we’ll score.

  Coach calls for a square out to the right to Sharif, taking Todd out of the picture. Sharif is better than Slick, but still not who I want my championship riding on.

  Carlos snaps the ball. The pocket forms again, but one of the defensive ends beats his man and flushes me out. I scramble to the right to avoid the sack, and just as Sharif is making his break, I release a bullet toward the sideline. Unfortunately, the corner back jumps the route, cuts in front of Sharif, and gets both hands on the ball. It slips through his hands, hits his facemask, and falls to the ground. Incomplete pass.

  Fifteen seconds.

  Fourth and eight on the twenty-three yard line.

  We need to go for the end zone. There’s no time for a first down, and we’re out of time outs. It’s our only hope now.

  Coach draws up the play, which is a flag to the left for Todd. I groan. He’ll be double-teamed again, but really, what choice do we have? Our entire season comes down to this one play. My college career comes down to this one play. My future with Dad comes down to this one play. It’s all in Todd’s hands now.

  I gather the team in the huddle, call the play, give them the snap count, and then we get to the line. I bark out the count. The ball is snapped. I take a three step drop, and out of the corner of my eye, I feel that same defensive end busting through the line and flushing me out of the pocket. I take two steps to my right, only to find the other defensive lineman looking me straight in the eye. He, too, has beaten his lineman. I plant my right foot, cut hard to the left, and find a tiny hole in the line. The two defensive linemen narrowly miss me and crash into each other.

  I cross the line of scrimmage and find Todd doubled teamed, as expected. But, between me and the end zone, are only one lineman and one safety. I’ve got to go for it. I could actually do it.

  At the fifteen-yard line, the linebacker gets both arms around my waist, but I do my best running back impersonation and with a 360-degree spin to the left, effectively shed him.

  I regain my balance at the ten yard line with only one man between me and victory. As the safety comes straight at me, I size up my options. I could fake right, cut left, and dive for the end zone. I could do a quick spin to the left and hope to shed the safety, as well. Or, I could …

  I’m out of time. The safety lunges at my knees and I have no option but to hurdle him, landing on my feet at the two-yard line. With one second left on the clock, I dive into the end zone. I land and immediately look to the refs for confirmation. Their hands are held straight up. Touchdown! We won the state championship!

  Before I can get to my feet, my entire team leaps on top of me, hollering and cheering. Confetti flies, the band blares, lights flash, and mobs of students and parents descend from the bleachers.

  “That was killer!” Todd yells, shaking my facemask. “You did it!”

  “We did it!” I jump up from the ground and onto this back. “State champs!”

  “Hell, yeah!”

  I’m pulled off his back by Carlos and then a very wet Coach who smells like Gatorade engulfs me. “Well done, son.”

  Before I can reply, the trophy is thrust into my hands. I hold it overhead and scream. This feels better than I ever imagined. Not only am I on the championship team, but I should easily earn a college scholarship and Dad should finally have a reason to be proud of me.

  There’s no way this night could get any better.

  ****

  “Hey! It’s the MVP!” someone yells as I exit my car. The entire student body is in the abandoned field outside of town. A monstrous bonfire lights and warms the winter night as teenagers celebrate both our win and the beginning of winter break.

  “Congrats, man,” someone else says, slapping me on the back.

  “Thanks,” I reply hoarsely with a smile and a nod.

  “Let me get you a drink,” someone else says, trying to lead me toward a keg.

  “I’m good,” I reply, scanning the crowd for Hailey. I received a text from Adam saying they were all here. They made it back from Raleigh much quicker than we did. By the time we had our interviews with the student paper and a local news station, it was well after ten. Add on our showers and the bus ride back and the rest of the students have probably been celebrating for at least an hour, if not longer.

  The bus ride was crazy. Between everyone trying to get the most outrageous photo with the trophy and all the hooting and hollering, it was the quickest hour of my life. My voice is shot from all the yelling. It cracks every time I try to talk to someone.

  A vibration against my ass causes me to pause. I pull my phone out of my pocket and check the display: Turn around.

  I do as it says and find Adam waving in my direction. He’s with Abbie, Michelle, Hailey, Brittany, and a few other friends. They’re talking and laughing, looking like they’re having a great time.

  I circle around the flames to join them, smiling at, laughing
with, and hugging everyone I pass.

  “Good game, dude!” Adam says, standing and giving me a one-armed man hug.

  “I’m so proud of you!” Michelle gushes. “I can’t wait to tell our child about this night!”

  The term child causes a few people close by to pay us more attention than I’d like. I know it’s the truth and I’ve accepted it, but I’d prefer not to throw it around so carelessly.

  I give Michelle and Abbie hugs, then sit next to Hailey on a rotten log.

  “Football’s over,” I whisper in her ear, draping my arm over her shoulder in what could be a romantic or non-romantic gesture, depending on the situation. I hope she takes it the right way.

  “And what a way to finish,” she replies, leaning into my arm, making me think she takes it the right way. “Congratulations. You were quite impressive.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Have you heard from the recruiters?”

  “Not yet. Probably tomorrow.”

  “Have you talked to your parents yet?”

  “No. Mom texted me to tell me how happy they were for me, but that’s all. We’ll have plenty of time to talk tomorrow on the way to the airport and on the plane.”

  “True.”

  I glance around at the scene in front of me. My classmates are loud and pumped up. Derek has his subwoofers on the bed of his truck. They’re providing a nice bone-shaking bass rendition of a Beyoncé song as some of the girls shake their asses in front of a very appreciative male audience. Others are playing what looks like a modified game of corn hole with some drinking rules applied, but most of them are standing or sitting around the fire, talking and laughing. It’s nice. It’s the best way to celebrate our win.

  “So, you want to stick around here or find someplace to be alone?” I ask, squeezing her shoulder.

  “Seriously?”

  “I told you once football was over. “

  She wrinkles her brows at me like what I said is completely incomprehensible. “People are here to celebrate you.”

  “No, they’re here to celebrate the win.”

  “Which is largely due to you.”

  I smile at her words. She has no idea how amazing it feels to have scored the winning touchdown. “So, are you saying you’re no longer interested in me? Because I am the MVP. If you’re not, someone else might be.”

  She rolls her eyes. “I’m saying I don’t want you to miss such an important night. We’ve got plenty of time. This will only happen once.”

  She’s right. As much as I’d love to sneak away for half an hour with her, I don’t want to miss a minute of this. It’s the best night of my life so far. It’s the highlight of high school.

  “You’re right,” I say. “Let’s party. Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Um … water?”

  I get up and walk back toward the keg, stopping every few feet to talk to someone. Everyone wants to tell me congratulations, or talk about one of the plays, or find out if I received a scholarship anywhere.

  Finally, I’m able to reach the cooler where I grab a bottle of water. I also accept a cup of beer shoved into my hand and then retrace my steps, talking to new people the entire way.

  When I return, Brittany and Adam are deep in discussion and Michelle is huddled up with Hailey, saying something that makes her laugh.

  “I so don’t believe that,” Hailey says, shaking her head.

  “It’s true! Ask Brad,” she replies, looking at me.

  “Ask me what?” I hand Hailey the water and then take a sip of beer.

  “Did you and the rest of the football team run naked through school one day after first period two years ago?”

  “No.”

  “What? That’s a lie. Tell her the truth!” Michelle yells, her hands on her hips.

  “It was after second period and was only the underclassmen.”

  “No way.”

  “I have the detention slip to prove it.”

  “You kept it?” Hailey asks.

  “It’s the only detention I’ve ever earned. I felt like it was a rite of passage or something.”

  Hailey shakes her head and I can’t tell if she’s amused or dumbfounded. “Why exactly would you do that?” she asks.

  “The seniors told us to.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yeah. Every year the seniors make the underclassman do something stupid to prove they’re committed to the team. I was only a sophomore. I wasn’t about to say no!”

  Michelle steps closer to me and says, “I never asked. What did you make the underclassman do this year?”

  “Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.”

  “Oh,” Michelle says, her face falling. At the same time, Hailey says, “That’s nice.”

  “While wearing girls’ clothes,“ I finish.

  Both of them start laughing.

  “Why did I never see pictures?” Michelle asks.

  “I don’t know. They were going around school. Here, I’ve got some on my phone.” I pull it out of my pocket, navigate to the folder and then hand it to her. She and Hailey scroll through the pictures, stopping to comment on every other one. I have to give it to the underclassman—they went all out with not just clothes, but also make-up and shoes. I’m not sure how they got any work done walking around in those high-heeled death traps.

  While they’re engrossed with the pictures, I step over to join Adam and Brittany.

  “Any big plans for break?” Adam asks her.

  “Nothing much. The band’s going to work on a couple new songs, but that’s about it.”

  “I’d love to hear them.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “Cool.”

  “Cool.”

  They both nod and stare at each other.

  I’m not sure, but it seems they might have just agreed to a date. When did this develop? I’ve been so preoccupied with my own life, I had no idea Adam was interested in Brittany. A few months ago, I got the impression she might be interested in him, but when did he decide he felt the same? What a terrible best friend I am.

  “Think I can convince Hailey to join the band?” Brittany asks, finally breaking eye contact with Adam and nudging me with her elbow.

  “That’d be awesome if you could. I’d be your biggest groupie.”

  She laughs and tries to pull up the video I sent her to show Adam. While she’s doing that, I whisper, “You and Brittany?”

  He shrugs in a noncommittal way, but his sheepish smile gives him away.

  “That’s great,” I reply, letting him know I approve. Not that he needs my approval, but it’s always nice to know your friend stands behind you.

  The night goes by way too fast. I wish I could slow it down and make it last forever. As excited as I am for college, I’m going to miss this school and all these people. Being from a small town definitely has its perks. Most of us have known each other since kindergarten. I can’t imagine going to class and not knowing a single person there.

  After one in the morning, the crowd has thinned considerably with all the younger students leaving in time for curfew. I finish a conversation with Carlos, Todd, and Adam, then look back toward Hailey. She’s sitting close to the fire and rubbing her arms while she and Brittany chat. Michelle and Abbie left about twenty minutes ago.

  “You should’ve worn my jacket,” I say, lowering myself next to her and noticing that she’s shivering, too. “It’s cold.”

  “That wouldn’t be weird at all.”

  “Here,” I say, pulling my fleece overhead. “Wear this.”

  “You’ll be cold.”

  “No, I won’t.”

  She takes it from my hands and then puts it on, as Brittany wanders back toward Adam. The fleece is ridiculously huge on her, but it does stop her shaking.

  “You have lots of fans,” she notes.

  “They’re just happy to have an excuse to have this huge party while the cops look the other way.”

  “I doubt t
hat. When’s our curfew? I’ve never needed to ask your parents that, but I wonder if they’d want me home by now?”

  “I don’t have a curfew.”

  “At all?”

  “Nope.”

  “What about me?”

  “If they never told you, then you don’t have one either.”

  “So, we can stay out all night?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Have you ever done that before?”

  “Nope.”

  “I’ve got to be honest, I’m not sure I can last a couple more hours, let alone the rest of the night.” She yawns and I wonder if she’ll last a couple more minutes. It must be all the adrenaline from the game because I still feel wide awake. Or maybe it’s the beer. I’ve only had three cups, but I’m not about to drive. I’m sure I’d be fine, but there’s no reason to risk it. Too much is at stake.

  “You’re going to have to drive us home,” I say, scooting closer to her. I put my arm around her back. It probably looks like more than a friendly gesture, but not many people are left and most of them are trashed and paired up around the fire anyway.

  “I haven’t driven since driver’s ed.”

  “It’s like riding a bike.”

  “I don’t know how to drive a stick.”

  “It’s easy. I’ll walk you through it.”

  “You’re going to teach me to drive a stick in the middle of the night?”

  “Sure. Let’s go,” I say grabbing her hand.

  “Now?”

  “Yeah. We’re not missing much here. Everyone is just going to start hooking up.”

  Which is exactly what I plan on finally doing with her.

  Chapter 28

  BRAD

  I hold her hand all the way to the car and then open the driver’s side for her.

  “You’re sure you want me to drive your car?” she asks.

  “Yeah. Get in and buckle up.”

  I let myself in the other side and fasten my seat belt. Then, I turn on the light and point to the stick shift. “Use this to shift between gears. Look at your feet. The gas and brake are in their normal places, but there’s an extra pedal on the left. That’s the clutch.”

  She looks down and nods. “I see it.”