Page 260 of Out of Bounds

The game that would decide everything was tied in the last quarter. We had our final chance in overtime, with everybody screaming from the stands. If we lost, that was it. That was the end. In the huddle, I could taste my mouth guard. It was that adrenaline that snapped everything into focus.

I didn’t have anything clouding my judgment anymore. It was the first away game that Kassie could attend with finals wrapped up. I didn’t have any doubts anymore, I didn’t have any worries. We’d fucking annihilate them.

With seconds left on the clock, I practically tore up the field and two players gained pace, right on me. One tried from the side and I veered to the left, barely skimming past him, off to the goalpost in sight. I didn’t know I even crossed the line until everyone screamed even louder.

"FUCKING DID IT!" Adam grabbed the back of my helmet the moment I hit the ground. They weren’t just going apeshit in the stands, my team rushed to the end zone and piled on. Overwhelming was the wrong word, I could barely hear myself think.

"FOUR-A-CROSS, FOUR-A-CROSS, FOUR-A-CROSS!"

I should have run off to Coach Lawson and the guys. There were clear expectations set for me. I knew them by heart. We had sponsorships to take photos with, team pictures to post, and interviews to give, but fuck those expectations.

I should have. I didn’t. Easy as that.

Pushing past everybody, I made my path toward the bleachers. All I focused on was my art girl.

"That’s right, that's fucking right!" she shouted at me.

Kassie held up her homemade sign for me, a big number four, and even if I was exhausted and even if my body hurt, I stepped up to the seats and held out my hand to the railing. People streamed out on either side of her but she hurried to meet me, ducking down. Her eyes sparkled and a breathless laugh escaped her.

I took her face in my hands before any second thoughts. Confetti exploded over us and dark blue pieces fluttered down the second I captured her lips with mine.

"I’m so proud of you," she breathed out until I kissed her again, knotting my fingers in her hair.

Someone hit the seats next to me and I glanced to see Adam, nodding off towards everyone else. "Captain, I hate to break up the two of you swapping spit but—"

"I am so proud of you," Kassie interjected, turning my face back towards hers. Her eyes softened. "I’m so proud of you, baby."

I stroked her face again. "Thank you for doing this."

"Doing what?"

"Being here. All I want is you, right here." I kissed her again. "And I’m going to appreciate every time I get that."

That’s what it was after all. Kassie and I had different paths we wanted to take but that didn’t mean I’d lose my art girl. It meant I had to change things I thought I could never compromise. All for her. My art girl would graduate college, join an animation studio somewhere, and we’d probably end up with two keys, two schedules, two houses to keep coming back to.

And she would always have a home to come back to. I’d make sure of that.

Another voice interrupted us—King’s. "Adam, I thought you were getting him?"

"They’re too busy grossing me out."

Kassie sighed and gently pushed me away. "You’re getting called away."

I nodded and stepped off the seats, taking my place with the guys. I grinned up at her. "I love you, art girl."

"Go get ‘em, ball dribbler." She blew kisses at me and my chest tightened.

That’s my girl.

It was one of those games you save your mugs from. The lockers were a madhouse, the parking lot was packed, and every other second, somebody yanked me back to flash a picture. The real party was set at a lodge with the coaches and everyone who came along for the away game.

The place swelled with every football player we could cram inside. I could understand if Kassie was tired, or if she wasn’t in the mood for socializing, but she was everything I could’ve asked for and more. She laughed at all the jokes, wrapped an arm around my waist for every video, and squeezed my hand back when I squeezed hers.

How did I get so lucky?

At the end of the night, a few of us piled in the backyard of the hotel, lounging in the chairs that surrounded the pool. It was a cold December evening, and I had Kassie sitting between my thighs, relaxing against me.

"There’s a law student with a clit piercing coming in an hour. Nobody's going to be able to reach me." Adam grinned before he popped the bottle of champagne. He pointed the bottle at Kassie and me. "How long are you two staying here?"

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