Page 12 of A Game as Old as Time

“Hailey,” he said, stumbling over his words. “It was, um, it was great seeing you again. Welcome to town.”

Welcome to town? What the hell was that?

He made his way toward Emilio, whose voice was now echoing againstthe high ceilings of the house.

She’s different.

Turning back, he smiled at Hailey, who avoided his gaze and instead turned her attention to Juelz, who was whispering in her ear.

She’s so different.

Chapter 3

“It is football eve here on WRXT, and I, for one, cannot wait to get this season started. As we approach game one of the new season, we have many questions that are yet to be answered. What will the Pioneers look like under new Head Coach Mike Bianchi, and can his college-style coaching translate to the high school level? What should we expect from quarterback Gunner Weston, who will obviously be playing with a heavy heart in his first game since his father’s passing? Can this team, that last year came up just short of a state championship game, get back and possibly win it all? It will fall on the team’s veteran leadership to get them back to a state-semifinal and secure them a chance to play in Hershey Stadium at the end of the year.”

**********

“You really got Coach fired up at practice today.” Ty was smirking at Gunner as they opened the door to Tony D’s pizza parlor. The annoying voice of the radio DJ blared over all the speakers. “I mean, I thought for a second he was going to unload on you.”

Whatever.

Gunner just shook his head and got in line. The noise from the dinner crowd was picking up from the other side of the wall, causing a slight headache to begin to throb in his temple.

Not my problem.

Coach Bianchi had been pushing them for weeks, and Gunner had finally had enough. His offense was as bland as his speeches, and his play calling, which refused to give Gunner the opportunity to throw the ball, was about as predictable as Charlotte’s flirtatious advances during every lunch.

My father was a much better coach.

“I mean, like I said though---” Ty raised his hand so Tony could see they had arrived. “All Coach has to do is give me the ball, and we’ll be fine.”

Gunner ignored him as he tried to erase the incident from his head. He could still see his coach’s face locked on him as he stood by himself, the rest of the team on the line for sprints. He knew he had messed up the second he opened his mouth, but he was a captain, and someone had to say something.

Why does it always have to be me?

“Look, man.” Ty made his way to the counter and grabbed the pizza that awaited him. “I know you and Coach B don’t see eye to eye. I mean hell, how that man produced that fine-ass daughter of his I will never---”

“Watch it!” Gunner’s voice rose, and he flashed a glare toward his friend. The jolt of anger came out of nowhere but coursed heavily through his body.

What the hell was that?

Gunner’s face instantly went warm as he shied away. He took a deep breath and squinted up at the multiple chandeliers that illuminated the large dining area on the other side of the wall.

“Chill dude!” Ty’s eyes were wide and questioning. “You know the deal. You can’t go banging the coach’s daughter, G. It’s like anunwritten rule---a game you can’t play. Plus, you’re the quarterback, and Charlotte is the captain of the cheerleading squad. That’s like a fairytale or some shit.”

Not my fairytale.

Gunner gritted his teeth as his friend started away.

“Charlotte’s all yours, Ty.” He finally said what he had been waiting to say since the breakup a few weeks before. “Trust me, I know you’ve had your eye on her for a long time.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Ty shot back. The two stared at each other in silence as the bell went off behind Gunner. “Just remember, G. This is our senior year. We are going to win state. We are going to win state for your dad.” Ty propped the door open, but their eyes remained locked. “I need you, G. The team needs you. It’s us, like it’s always been.”

Us...

Gunner took another deep breath and nodded slowly. His propensity to overreact had caught up to him again.

“I know, I know. I’m sorry. It’s just, I mean, tell the boys I said hi when you see them.”

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