I closed my eyes and drifted off.
It was game day,and we were playing the Houston Cougars. They were a top team this year, and people didn’t expect us to win. But I had a man to impress, so we’d see about that.
Following discussions and game preparation, I stood in the tunnel behind Malik and Grey, anticipating taking the field.
“You ready for this?” Malik turned his helmeted head and patted my shoulder pad. “Don’t get distracted.”
“I’ll be fine, don’t you worry. I’ll make holes for you.” I huffed a snicker. He’d need me to block for him tonight. The running game would dominate this team’s strategy. Their defense had the most interceptions of any team in the NCAA.
“Let’s go.” Grey jogged after the rest of the team with Malik following.
As adrenaline shot through my veins, I sprinted after them. The tunnel opened to the stadium and the roaring crowd under the bright lights. Fireworks sparkled at the corners of the field, and the announcers called our names. The band played the fight song, with the lights glinting off the brass instruments.
As I rushed onto the center of the field, I twisted toward our bench, raising my arms to rally the crowd. My gaze landed on Colton, standing a few rows up from our bench and beside Sara, both clapping and shouting.
As Sara’s gaze found me, she hooked an arm around Colton’s neck and pressed a hard kiss on his lips. When she left him, he stared at her, his mouth dropped open.
My chest stung. Was it their first kiss? Hell, they’d already been to dinner together. Had Colton’s feelings changed toward her? It didn’t matter. I had to keep my head in the game.
“Come on, bench time.” James patted each of us on the ass and led the offense toward the sidelines.
A few minutes before halftime,we were down by ten points, and I was on the field. Our running plays weren’t working, and I’d let James get sacked a few times already. I had to do better.
James was about to throw to Bailey, our new wide receiver after JJ left the team. I had to ensure James had enough time. As I lined up for the play, I peeked into the stands.
Colton’s forehead wrinkled, and he raised his hand as if to wave.
Grabbing his hand, Sara kissed it and leaned in close to him, saying something.
His attention drew to her, and he smiled.
“Fuck.” I shouldn’t have looked. Gritting my teeth, I focused on the defender across from me, who was returning a smirk.
“Not your best game, huh, Rowlings?” The defender cackled.
I hung my head and glared at the grass. There were no words at the moment.
Our center snapped the ball, and the play started.
Rushing the defender, I pushed him out of my way and ran for a linebacker running toward James. We needed time for Bailey to get into position.
The linebacker hit me head-on, his shoulder smashing into my chest.
As a whoosh of air left my lungs, I grunted and tumbled backward, my ass hitting the turf first and then my head. The stadium spun for a moment, and I lay there while the pain in my chest radiated to my limbs. That fucker. Was I hurt? It had been a legal hit.
Turning my head, I watched Bailey catch the ball. I had to get up, or the refs might stop the play. Wincing, I rose onto my elbows and then sat up.
Bailey ran like a bat out of hell, sprinting past Houston’s defenders and into the end zone. The crowd went wild, everyone jumping up and down.
“Touchdown, ASU!” the announcer said, and the band played our fight song.
My gaze swung to Colton, standing still and fixated on me as Sara hopped beside him, grabbing his biceps.
Randy Nelson, our head trainer, ran onto the field with his medic bag. “Rowlings, are you okay? That was a nasty hit.” He crouched beside me. “What day is it?” He pulled a flashlight from his bag and shone it in my eyes. “Are you nauseous, or do you have a headache?”
“It’s Saturday and I’m fine. Just got my bell rung.” I snickered. I wouldn’t let him pull me from the game. “Help me stand?”
“Sure.” As he stood, he lifted me by my arm, and the stadium roared again. “You’re not playing until I assess you properly during halftime.”