Page 71 of For Emery

She shook her head. “Nah, he’s too hooked on you. That’s for damn sure.”

* * *

“When are you gonna break the news to Flip?” Raquel asked as we watched the football game on television Saturday night. “That’s if Grady hasn’t already rubbed it in his face.”

“Flip deserves it.”

Raquel’s mouth dropped. “That’s the meanest thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

“He tried to keep Jordan and me apart. That’s not cool.”

“It’s still gonna sting to know you’re dating the enemy.”

“You make it sound so dramatic,” I laughed.

“Nope, but guys are territorial. And those two already hate each other. What’s next for them? A gunfight at noon? A duel at sundown? Lightsabers?” Her voice trailed off as Flip threw a long pass down the field on TV. We waited with bated breath to see who caught it. A Mississippi player.

“Nooo,” I cried.

The Mississippi player sped down the sideline with the ball under his arm to the deafening roar of the home crowd. He neared their end zone, looking ready to throw himself right into it. Out of nowhere, Jordan came barreling at him, lowering himself and throwing his arm around the player’s hips, stripping the football right out of his arm as they both tumbled to the ground.

“Yessss!” I screamed, moving so close to the television it was a wonder I could see anything.

Jordan wasn’t done. He jumped up and grabbed the loose ball, tucked it under his arm, and ran. I’d never seen him move so fast. The weight he’d lost made him faster and, dare I say, stealthier. Jordan’s teammates blocked for him, keeping the Mississippi players at bay as he hit the fifty-yard-line…then the forty…the thirty…the twenty…the ten…Touchdown!

Raquel and I jumped around our room as Jordan spiked the ball into the end zone. Within seconds, he was encircled by his teammates jumping all over him. The camera zoomed in for a brief moment, and I could see Jordan beaming with pride from under his helmet.

Flip ran toward him, waiting for the guys to release him so he could slap his hand.

I stilled, waiting for Jordan’s reaction. I saw the moment he spotted Flip. He paused then lifted his fist for Flip to tap. They separated after, the fans none the wiser to the fact that they hated each other.

They ended up winning by seven.

Raquel took off to take a shower while I watched the post-game, hoping they’d interview Jordan. They did. His helmet was off, his cheeks flushed, and his sweaty hair jutted out all over.

“Great game, Jordan,” the sideline reporter greeted him with her pretty smile.

My body buzzed watching his cool demeanor as he answered her questions like the star he was always meant to be.

“What do you think was different about today’s game for you?”

He smirked, and I couldn’t fathom what he’d say. “Right now,” he said, his eyes looking directly into the camera. “Things are going very well for me in all aspects of my life. I’ve got the support from my coaches and teammates, as well as my parents and my amazing girlfriend.”

My entire being melted into a useless pile of goo at the sound of the word girlfriend out of his mouth.

“I think that carried out onto the field today,” he continued.

“It did,” the reporter assured him. “Thanks for taking the time, Jordan,” she said.

“Thank you,” he said, before she sent it back to the studio.

I sat there, long after the interview ended. I wanted to pinch myself. I wanted to be sure it was all real. Getting something you’ve wanted for such a long time was unlike any other feeling out there. It was surreal. And scary. But it was also…amazing.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Grady

I couldn’t fucking wait to see Emery. It had been tough being away from her, especially knowing she was alone and otherwise unprotected on campus without me there. But, we’d spoken and texted, which gave me some relief.

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