I cleared my throat. “If it’s okay, I’ll take Quinn home. I’m supposed to be at home by nine, so Coach doesn’t freak.” It sounded so silly, so frivolous, to be talking football when Nate’s life was teetering on the brink. I added, “But if you need us to stay, we will. Curfew be damned.”
Sheri lifted her face and shook her head. “No, honey, you go home and get some rest. Both of you. Nate would want that.” She ran one hand through her hair. “And he’s going to be fine.” She gave us a watery smile. “And once he’s all better, I’m sure he’s going to be happy for both of you. You’ve always been such good friends to him.”
Quinn bent to give Sheri a quick hug. “We love him, you know that. Just let me know if you need anything.”
We took the elevator back downstairs, where I forced myself to walk slowly, even though I wanted to sprint out of that place. Quinn squeezed my hand.
“Thanks for coming with me, Leo. I know it wasn’t easy.”
“Hey.” I stopped just outside the doors, gripped Quinn by her shoulders and brought her in front of me. “I would do anything for you, Mia. Anything. This was nothing.”
She gave me a faint smile. “If you say so.”
“I do, and I mean it.” I linked our hands again as we walked to the car. It was dark, even though it wasn’t quite eight yet, and I paid close attention to the road. “I wish I could take you out eat, but Coach is serious about the curfew. I have to check in that I’m home by nine, and even though we’re on the honor code—there aren’t any second chances.”
“I understand. And honestly, I’m too tired to think about going anywhere.” She reached over the gear shift to touch my knee, and my body jumped at the feel of her hand. “But I did promise you a treat, didn’t I? If you were a good boy at the hospital.”
“And I was a very good boy.” I gave her wide eyes and a nod. “Very good.”
“Hmm. What kind of treat do you think you deserve?”
“Well . . .” I turned my car into Quinn’s driveway and clicked off the headlights. “I’d start with your lips.” I pointed at my mouth. “Right here.”
She smiled. “We’ve been together almost twenty-four hours now. Aren’t you tired of kissing me yet?”
I shook my head. “Mia, the day I tell you I’m tired of your kisses will be the last day of my life.” I skimmed one hand over her hair. “And even then, your mouth on mine will be what I want as I open up the pearly gates.”
Quinn’s eyes glistened again, but this time, the tears weren’t sad ones. “You say the most wonderful things. How can you be so sure now, when last week you were pretending I didn’t exist?”
“Because I finally gave in.” I laughed. “I thought I didn’t deserve you, Mia. And I was right, I don’t. But I got tired of fighting how much I need you, and even though I know I’m not good enough for you, I’m never going to stop trying to be better.”
“Okay.” Before I knew what was happening, Quinn had flung one leg over my lap, straddling me, her back against the steering wheel.
“Whoa.” I caught her by the hips. “What’re you doing, babe?”
“Giving you your treat.” She leaned down, touching her lips to mine. “This is where you wanted me to start, right?”
“Uh, yeah.” I tilted my head up to give her better access.
“Mmmmm.” Quinn hummed, as though my mouth was the best thing she’d ever tasted. “Can I ask you something, Leo?”
“Baby, when you’re sitting on me like this, you can ask me for the world, and I’d give it to you. What do you want to ask?”
She sighed a little, and her breath fanned over my cheek. “Can you tell . . . how inexperienced I am? I don’t want to be boring for you.”
“Boring is the last thing you are. And I’m going to be a total male chauvinist pig and say I love the fact that you haven’t been with anybody else.” I ran my hands up her sides. “When I kissed you outside the hospital last month, was that your first kiss?”
Eyes averted, Quinn nodded.
“Mia, that kiss . . . it’s been tormenting me ever since that night. So if that’s you being inexperienced and boring, bring it on, baby.”
She laughed, and the way her body moved over me ignited a deeper need. I tugged her head down to me and took her mouth, thrusting my tongue between her lips. Quinn moaned, snaking her hands around me neck and threading her fingers through my hair.
I moved my hands back to her hips, centering the heat between her legs over my aching dick. She arched her back, and I couldn’t help skimming my fingers under her shirt, desperate to touch warm, smooth skin. Boldly, I cupped her tits, only more eager when I realized that her bra cups were lace. I traced my thumbs around her hardened nipples and was rewarded by her throaty noise of approval.
Encouraged, I lowered my mouth to take one of those tempting peaks into my mouth, wetting the cotton of her shirt. Quinn pushed the back of my head closer, as though she was afraid I’d pull away too soon.
I’d just moved my mouth to her other nipple when the alarm on my telephone began to beep. With a groan of frustration, I let my head drop back.
“Fuck.” My cock was pulsing beneath Quinn’s core, and I would’ve given anything in the universe to strip off the clothes between us and thrust up into her. But the part of my brain still capable of rational thought remembered that I had to be home in ten minutes . . . and that Quinn was a virgin. I didn’t have any doubt that we’d get there one day, but I knew I had to take care of her. Her first time wasn’t going to be some quick screw in my car. It had to be perfect. Special.
“Babe, I have to go.” I kissed her one more time. “I don’t want to, believe me, but I have to.”
“I know.” Quinn kissed my jaw, my neck . . . if she kept it up, there was no way I’d be able to leave.
“You’re going to come to my game tomorrow night, right?”
“I always do.”
“I’d come pick you up in the morning, but I won’t be going home after school. We’ll just stay there, getting ready for the game.”
“Okay.” Sighing, she swung back over to her own seat. “Be careful driving to your house. I know you need to be there on time, but don’t speed or coast the stop signs.”
“Will do, babe.” I chucked her under the chin. “Same old Mia Quinn, taking care of me.”
“Always will, Leo.” She kissed my cheek, smiled and climbed out of the car. “Play a good game tomorrow night.” She closed the door and started up the driveway.
I rolled down my window and leaned out. “Quinn!”
She glanced back, still smiling.
“Come down to the field tomorrow night after my game, okay?”
Quinn hesitated, and I could see indecision warring on her face. Finally, she nodded.
“I’ll be there.”
Quinn
Nighttime football games had a special kind of magic to them, and tonight, the energy was heightened: this was an important game, one that would determine whether or not the Eatonboro Eagles would advance to Round Two of the conference playoffs. We were underdogs, for sure; Gatbury was one of the best teams in our area.
Gia had saved me a seat, so I sat on the bleachers about halfway up from the field, mashed between two girls. I wasn’t complaining; it was especially chilly tonight, and I was glad for the extra body heat.
“So how does it feel to know it’s your boyfriend playing out there tonight?” Gia grinned and poked me. “Pretty exciting, huh? Are we going to see some spontaneous cheers about the Lion roaring?”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t hold your breath. I might be dating one of the team’s stars, but I’m here for the game, not just to moon over the players.”
“Oh, check her out. It’s all business. That’s our Quinn—she’s a tough cookie.” Gia laughed. “Give her a few weeks, and she’ll have the cheerleaders coming around to her way of thinking.”
“That’s not exactly my top priority.” I gazed down onto the field where I saw Sarah chatting with
another girl. “And not all of the cheerleaders are so bad. Sarah, for instance. I like her.” I shot Gia a quelling look. “And if we generalize about the cheerleaders, how are we any better than they are?”
She sighed. “You’re determined to take away all my fun, aren’t you? Fine. Whatever you say. I promise I’ll try to be more open-minded.” She paused as a group of people scooted in front of us, trying to get to the last few open seats down the bench. “What’s the word on Nate, by the way? Is he doing any better?”
I bit the side of my lip. “A little. His mom texted today that his temperature was down a bit this afternoon. But he’s still pretty sick.”
“Aw, I’m sorry. Hope he feels better.”
“Thanks.”
Conversation was interrupted at that point as the announcer invited us all to rise for the singing of the National Anthem. I rested my eyes on Leo, standing in the row with the rest of his team, helmet in one hand. I could see his profile, the set of his mouth and the eager look of determination in his eyes. We hadn’t had much time during the day today, just a few stolen kisses this morning and a little chatting at lunch. I hadn’t felt any more welcome at his table, and I wondered if I’d be able to convince him to eat outside with me at least now and then. Sitting across the table from Trish was giving me indigestion.
The Eagles lost the coin toss this week, and since Gatbury elected to defer, we got the ball first. Our receiver caught it on kickoff and ran for a twenty-yard return, giving us decent field position. I clapped with the rest of the stadium as Leo and the other offensive players trotted onto the field.
But they weren’t there for long. On second and five, Matt Lampert threw one of his rare interceptions, and the Gatbury defensive back who’d caught the pass intended for Leo made it all the way to the end zone for the touchdown. When Matt reached the sidelines, he tossed down his helmet in frustration. Leo grabbed his arm, speaking to him with their heads close together.
The Eagles didn’t do anything with their next two possessions, but luckily, neither did Gatbury. Reminiscent of the Franklin Township game, just before the end of the half, Eatonboro got within field goal distance, and Beau Dunton kicked one between the uprights. Our boys trotted off the field at halftime trailing seven to three.
“It’s not looking good, girls.” I wrapped my arms around my middle. “They need to pull their shit together, or our season is over.”
“That might work out for you,” Gia observed. “Just think of all the time Leo would have to spend with you if he’s not worried about practices or games.”
I groaned. “Gia, what kind of girlfriend would I be if I wanted that? We haven’t had a real shot at the playoffs for years. I want our boys to go all the way.”
“You’re just taking this whole unselfish crap a little too far.” She shifted on the bleacher. “Is it just me, or is it getting even colder?”
“I heard we might get snow this weekend.” One of the other girls spoke with the glee only associated with the very first snowstorm of the year. “Sure feels like it.”
It did, too. I pulled my scarf a little tighter around my neck, shivering. Someone tugged at it, making me gag a little as it stretched over my throat.
“Jake, if you strangle Quinn, who else is going to put up with you on the newspaper? You know she’s the only one who can get anything done.” Gia winked at our editor.
“You’re not wrong, Gia. And hey, look at this. In appreciation of all of the hard work my wonderful team does, I brought you hot chocolate.” Jake passed the cardboard tray down the bench, and we all ooohed appreciatively.
“I take back every nasty thing I’ve ever said about you. Thanks for this.” Gia lifted the cup and took a sip.
“You’re welcome.” He patted my shoulder. “Everything going okay with you, Q?”
I smiled. “I’d be happier if the score were reversed, but otherwise no complaints.”
“Cool. I need to talk with you about our op/ed page for next week. Think you can hang out Monday after school?”
“I’m sure I can.”
“Maybe you should check with your boy toy first,” Gia teased. “He might have plans for you.”
“I don’t need to check with anybody about anything.” I stuck out my tongue at Gia and then turned back to Jake. “Thanks again for the cocoa. See you Monday.”
The second half began with Gatbury possessing the ball. They came close to scoring, but happily, our defensive line held strong, and their kicker even missed the attempted field goal.
Still, we didn’t seem to be able to move very far, either. Gatbury shut down our running game pretty effectively, and Matt was sacked twice. When he did manage to get off a pass, it always went wide, at one point just missing another interception.
I wasn’t one to give up hope easily—clearly, since I’d been in love with the same boy for nine years before he finally admitted he felt the same way—but I was nearly resigned to the fact that we were going to lose this one. There were thirty-eight seconds left on the clock, and Gatbury had the ball on our twenty-six-yard line. Glumly, I just hoped we could keep them from scoring again.
The Gatbury QB fired off a forward pass toward the end zone, intending it for his favorite receiver, but by some miracle, it was our linebacker there instead. He caught the ball as neatly as if it were intended for him all along, looked down at it like he had no idea how it had gotten there, and then took off down the field.
In one of those inspirational football movies, he would’ve run it all the way back, or at least gotten it across the fifty-yard line. But he didn’t. He got to about our own thirty where he was taken down by Gatbury’s left tackle, a mountain of a guy.
The clock now stood at twenty-four seconds. Our offense, most of whom had assumed the game, if not the season, was over for us, hustled back onto the field and lined up. There wasn’t time for a huddle. The boys were going to have to wing it.
On the first play, Matt tried to run the ball. When he was tackled immediately, I cursed at him as though he could hear me.
“What the fuck, dude? The damn running game hasn’t worked all night. Why the hell would you think it’s good idea now?”
Gia exchanged a glance with the girl sitting next to me. “Simmer down, Quinn. You’re about to bust a vein or something.”
My heart was pounding in excitement. This was football. This was why I loved the game. It was second and nine, but since there were only fourteen seconds on the clock, this was likely the last play, unless Matt threw an incomplete pass or the receiver ran out of bounds. The Eagles fans in the stadium held their collective breath as the ball was snapped, flying into Matt’s hands. He stagger-stepped backwards, and I could feel his tension as his eyes scanned downfield, looking for Leo or Dylan to break free. Finally, in desperation, he drew back his arm and threw one of the most beautiful forward passes I’d ever seen in high school football.
The ball soared through the night sky, spiraling down. Out of nowhere, Leo came barreling across the field, a Gatbury linebacker close on his heels. He leaped into the air and snagged the ball with one hand, tucking it against his chest. With precision that took my breath away, he spun on one foot and took off.
Leo had always been fast, but tonight, he was a gazelle. His legs moved so fast they were almost invisible, but it didn’t matter, because we could all see him step nimbly into the end zone.
The entire stadium erupted into joyful cheers. The place was shaking. I was both laughing and almost crying in relief as I watched the rest of the team descend on Matt and Leo. Brent lifted Leo in a massive hug, spinning him around.
Over the loudspeaker, the announcer pronounced the end of the game, with a final score Eatonboro nine and Gatbury seven.
“Okay. I’m finding it hard to maintain my air of disdainful indifference.” Gia laughed, hugging my arm. “That was pretty incredible. And shit, girl! That was your boyfriend who made that catch.”
“Yeah, I kind of noticed that.” I tugged on my gloves. “I
need to get down to the field. I promised Leo.”
“Of course you did.” Gia winked at me. “Hey, give him an extra smooch from me. You know, just as a fan of the game.”
“You got it. See you later!”
It took me a solid ten minutes to push through the milling people in the stand and get to the break in the railing. I managed to side-step a cluster of teachers, avoid the cheerleaders, and make it down the sideline. I caught sight of Leo and began heading his way.
Before I reached him, though, Mr. Ranetti, the announcer, stepped in front of Leo and Matt, holding out a microphone. I couldn’t hear the first couple of questions, but as I drew closer, I managed to pick up the last one.
“Leo, that was one of the most amazing catches this reporter has seen in his thirty years of announcing high school games. Can you tell us what was going through your mind as you made that leap for the ball?”
As though he could sense me, Leo turned his head, locking eyes with me. A slow smile spread over his face.
“Well, sir, honestly, I wasn’t sure I could make that catch. But I figured I needed to try, so what I was thinking was . . . go big, or go home.”
Around us, the crowds began to cheer again. Mr. Ranetti patted Leo’s back, apparently congratulating him again. He smiled politely, but the moment the announcer had turned away, Leo took off toward me. He reached me in a few steps, scooped me into his arms and kissed me, holding me against him.
“Mia—babe. Did you see it? God. What a game.”
“You were magnificent.” I slicked back his sweaty hair from his forehead. “That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. Congratulations!”
He slid his hands down to my ass and bent his head over to murmur in my ear. “I have to think that kind of play deserves a treat, right? I mean, I was a very good boy. Again. Two nights in a row.”
I giggled, held his face in mine and kissed his lips. “I’m sure we can figure out something that works for both of us. Maybe pick up where we left off last night.”
The Keeping Score Box Set Page 22