Page 7 of Make It Without You

Wait. Do boys even have crushes?

If so, I have one.

A crush, that is.

I walk in the direction of the cafeteria as the school is slowly emptying. This is where we have our pre-game team meeting and our team dinner. The tradition started years ago and has thankfully continued ever since.

“Did Kam text you?” I ask Liam as I slide into a chair next to him.

He fumbles with his phone. “No. Why? Did she text you?”

I can’t help the laugh that slips out. “You’ve got it bad, dude.”

“Shut up.” The tips of his ears turn red and I decide that’s enough indirect teasing for the day.

Liam has had a crush on Kamryn for about a year. We were all at a friend's house for his birthday and someone had the genius idea to play spin the bottle. It was Liam’s turn and the way luck was on his side, the bottle landed on Kam. They both brushed it off. At least Kamryn did. But Liam didn’t think I knew how that kiss set it off for him until I saw him looking at her with his love eyes. Now it’s fun to rile him up where she’s concerned.

“Kam said she’ll be at the game. And I asked Emily if she would come too. So I think they’re gonna ride in with each other.”

He turns his stare on me. But I shut him down. Or at least I try to. “Who’s got it bad, now?”

“Shut up.”

“Alright boys!First game of the season! Let’s get out there and do our best!” Coach yells in the locker room. I think it’s part of his pep-talk. He’s not an overly emotional guy. And for a bunch of young teenagers who also hate emotion, it works for us.

We all hoot and holler and then run out on the field for warm-ups and then the game is starting.

“I see your girlfriend here.” Liam teases from next to me.

“Funny. I see yours here too.” I tease back.

That shuts him up real fast.

But me, I’m just going to worry about the game.

And not at the fact that a pretty girl is sitting in the stands.

With Kamryn.

And my parents.

Crap. I think I’m too nervous to play.

I think I forgot how to throw a football.

Just my luck, that of all times I get even more nervous than the last.

“Head in the game, James. We’ll see them later.” Liam says right after we break from the huddle.

He’s right. Besides, I don’t even know if Emily feels the same way as I do.

When the referees call the captains to the center of the field, Liam and I walk arm-in-arm with two other teammates. Since we have home-field advantage, we get to call the coin toss.

We win the toss and elect to receive. Hands are shaken and then our receiving team runs out onto the field to begin.

After a ten-yard drive, it’s time for offense. The guys and I head out onto the field. We read the sign from our coach and I call out the play, dropping back I scan the field and launch it to where Liam is supposed to be.

He catches it. Because of course, he does.

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