“Fifty-yard line, about twenty rows up. Dad helped secure the seats.” He rolled his eyes.
“Oh.” I nodded and watched as U of A kicked a field goal. “Well, they’re on the board.” We’d have five minutes before halftime. I was hoping with one more touchdown, Coach would feel confident enough to put Grey in the game. Yes, this was my last college game at ASU, but he needed to show off his stuff for Dennis. I already had a deal to sign with him.
After the half-time pep talk,we took to the field again, and five minutes into the third quarter, I rushed out with the offensive line. Where we’d played a passing game in the first half, Coach Reid had called for more running plays in the second half, so this was my time to shine.
After the huddle, I clapped with the team and lined up on our twenty-seven-yard line. I hoped to drive us down the field slowly, maintaining our lead and running down the clock. A big D-man, Crowley, had been covering me all night.
“I’ve got my eye on you, Thompson.” He growled at me from behind his face mask.
“Yeah? Your eyes will watch my ass take the ball down the field in a second.” I barked a laugh.
Our center snapped the ball, and James took a few steps back, his head on a swivel.
I barreled through the line, ran my route, and then turned. It was supposed to be a short pass, but a U of A linebacker broke through and sprinted toward James.
Taking off toward me, James raced with the ball, twirling around a lineman.
I pushed ahead, finding an opening. “James!”
With a flurry of guys coming at him, James tossed the ball to me and went down with two guys landing on top of him.
“Fuck.” Tucking the ball, I peered downfield. All these fuckers were behind me. The field was mine. I dashed down the turf, chest out, legs pumping and adrenaline swirling in my veins. If the last touchdown of my college career was this one, I’d be one happy motherfucker.
As I ran into the end zone, the announcers called, “Touchdown ASU!” The crowd went insane, jumping around and screaming, and the band played the fight song. I did a little jig and handed the ball to the closest ref before jogging off the field and toward Grey.
“What a fucking run, Thompson!” Coley patted my helmet as I jogged past him. All I wanted was Grey.
As Grey met me, he hefted me off my feet and swung me in a circle. “Sixty-seven yards! You ran a sixty-seven-yard touchdown!” He squeezed me briefly and set me down. “Fuck, I could kiss you right now.”
“Yeah? Right now?” I swung my gaze to the stands. If I took my helmet off, would he?
“Thompson, great job.” Coach Barlow patted my shoulder pad. “How would you feel if I let Moore finish out the game?”
Grey’s eyes widened. “You don’t have to do this, Malik.”
“Yes, I do.” I gave Grey a side hug, our pads knocking together. “With that touchdown, I’m ending on a high note, and I can’t wait to watch you tear it up out there.” I locked my gazeon Coach. “Play him. He deserves this.” Depending on the score tonight, we were still contenders for a bowl game.
“Okay. Moore, get warmed up.” Coach held his hand out to me. “Thompson, it’s been a pleasure to work with such an upstanding guy and team player.”
“Thanks, Coach.” I shook his hand. I couldn’t think of a better way to end my years of playing on this field.
After Grey pulledoff an additional touchdown to win the game, we drove in Grey’s car to the frat party. ASU didn’t permit alcohol at the Greek village because it was a dry campus. “Turn here.” I watched the app on my phone. This house was in Circle G Ranch, an upscale neighborhood of Tempe with million-dollar custom homes. It fitted that Tiffany and Ella knew about this place.
As we pulled through open gates and into the community of sprawling mansions with circle driveways, fountains and green landscapes, we pulled to the side of the road and parked in front of a Tuscan-style home with a rounded turret and a large portico covering the drive leading to the front door. Lights and rock music spilled from the house. “This is it.” Tiffany and Ella were supposed to Uber. My pulse snuck into my throat. The rest of this amazing night might suck. I’d have to watch Grey with fucking Ella.
Holding his phone to his face, he said, “They’re pulling up now.” As his gaze met mine, his throat dipped, and his eyes glistened in the glow from the dashboard lights. “Malik, whatever happens, know that you’re the one I want to be with.” Grabbing the back of my head, he smashed a hard kiss on mylips and then pressed his forehead against mine. “I’d rather be at home with you right now, celebrating our win in my bedroom.”
My heart melted. “Yeah, I know.” I couldn’t fault him for this. He lived in a different world from mine. Plus, he’d go through the same torture as me, watching me with Tiffany.
A sedan stopped behind us, and giggling filled the air.
“Must be them.” With a deep inhale, I stepped out of the car, adjusting my thin sweater over my jeans.
A woman stepped toward me, her long blonde hair falling in waves around her shoulders and a tight sweater showing off her ample breasts. Her high heels clicked on the pavement as she walked toward me. “Malik?”
“Yeah?” My gaze swung to her companion, a brunette with the same hairstyle and similar heels, wearing yoga pants and a cropped V-neck sweater. Had they dressed the same tonight? But girls did that, didn’t they?
“I’m Ella, and this is my friend, Tiffany.” Her smile widened as her gaze shifted toward Grey. “Grey, so good to see you again.” She sauntered toward him, threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “You played so well tonight.”