Page 28 of Charger

“I know. You love it though.” Zach pecks my cheek, which is super cute. “So, are you coming to our game this Friday?”

“Of course, I’ll be there cheering you on with my short skirt and pompons.”

Zach’s body turns to stone, straightening in the chair. “Wait, you joined the cheer squad?” He knows better, so I flash him a look that says so. “That’s just cruel, Specs.”

I laugh, shrugging my shoulders. “I know but it was also funny. I’m sorry, because I know how badly you wanted to see me in that outfit.”

“Are you kidding me? I’m happy you were joking. I didn’t want any other guys drooling over you.” Zach gets up, throwing his book bag over his shoulder. A piece of his tousled hair falls in front of his eye. “But it would be hot as fuck if you wore my jersey to the game.” With his hands on the table, he leans down, placing a kiss to my forehead and leaving me with nothing but butterflies.

“This better be one of the last games of the season, not that I don’t want to see them win, but I’m just not made for this weather.” I really want to agree with Lisa, but I also don’t want to be that whiny girlfriend. Though, Zach should be happy, since I decided to go all out for him. I’m wearing his jersey like he asked me to, threw my hair into stupid pig tails and had Lisa paint his jersey numbers on my face. It’s definitely something Sam would have done. Speaking of, it hasn’t gone unnoticed, the way she keeps glaring at me between pompon shuffles.

Zach is on the sidelines in his tight football pants and jersey. He looks over to me sitting in the stands, puckers his lips, and gives me an imaginary kiss.

So cute.

After the game, which they won, the football players gather in a huddle on the field. Zach glances my way a couple of times, then someone walks up to him and hands him a microphone.

“What’s he doing?” Lisa asks me, but I have no clue what’s going on.

“I Will Follow You into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie starts playing on the overhead speakers. Zach knows I love this song.

While the music strums in the distance, Zach holds the mic up to his mouth. “So, I know this isn’t really your thing, but I wanted to ask you.” My heart is beating so fast. One of his teammates holds up a big white poster board that reads: Julianna Lynn Taccarelli, will you go to prom with me?

Oh my God.

Stunned, I can’t move, can’t speak.

“Holy shit, that’s adorable!” Lisa squeals.

I’m trying to let it sink in. But all eyes are on me and Zach, as the crowd begins to chant, “Say yes!” All the cheerleaders are jumping up and down in excitement, all except Sam.

“C’mon, Jules, can’t leave me hanging.”

Lisa nudges me with her elbow. “Girl, go down there.” My mom says the same thing as she taps my shoulder from behind. She’s smiling, telling me to go and giving me that reassurance I need. Finally, breaking into the biggest smile possible, I get up and start climbing down the bleacher steps. With each vibration, each echo of the bleacher stairs, I am one step closer to him. My excitement is in overdrive.

Everyone is yelling, making wooing noises. Maybe they don’t all hate me after all. But right now, my only focus is Zach. I see no one but him. He hands the mic over to his friend, then stalks toward me like he would plow anyone down to get to me. My shoes touch pavement. That’s when I pick up speed. It’s like being pulled by a magnet. I’m naturally drawn to him.

I fling my body into his when we finally reach one another. I lock my wrists around his neck as he lifts me up, both of his arms encompassing my back. My feet dangle midair as he twirls me in a circle. I throw my head back, laughing. Then he grips my ass cheeks and I wrap my legs around his waist. His musky, sweaty scent fills my nose as I bury my face into his neck.

“Is that a yes, pretty girl?” he whispers into my ear.

I smile but he can’t see me. “Yes, I’ll go to prom with you, Zachary William Scott.”

Everyone claps and cheers. I unbury my face enough to kiss him. I never thought I would be so excited to go to prom until now. My brother looks over with a smile.

“I feel like you just proposed or something.” I laugh, but he doesn’t.

“Jules, I will be the one to marry you someday—best believe that.” My mouth parts open and my eyes dart between each of his. Shock doesn’t come close to describing this moment right now. I should be terrified. Only, his words don’t scare me, they make me smile even wider. He crashes his lips to mine again before he carries me off the field.

ELEVEN

Jules

Winter flew by. Christmas was spent like it always is every year—my parents going all out with lights, movies, presents. It’s just like when we were little, which is pretty cool, I’ll admit. Zach spent Christmas with us this year because his mom was away with her new boyfriend. She is trying to get her act together, and I can tell Zach is excited about it. No teenager should witness their parent going through that kind of stuff.

New Year’s was eventful. One of the senior football players had a party (parent-supervised) and that was the night my brother finally made his relationship with Lisa official.

Took him long enough.

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