Page 73 of A Game as Old as Time

“So.” Tony pushed the boys away and leaned back down. “Juelz tells me you are going to be playing the lead in this year’s musical.”

Oh boy.

Hailey inhaled sharply before nodding.

“Well, let me tell you.” He pointed at the football players, who had started to dance in the middle of the room. “I cannot wait to see how you get these boys to perform. But I am sure, between you and Ms. Summers, you will get the best out of them.Juelz has told me great things about you, and to see what your father has done with this football team…” He collected himself before finishing. “We are just really glad your family picked this town.”

This is new.

Hailey’s face was getting red as the man in front of her beamed. He seemed different from when she had come in earlier in the semester. He was happier, and his eyes were less tired. She could tell why she hadheard so much about him. His face was gentle and caring, like an uncle who would sneak cookies to you when your parents were not paying attention. Keeping his restaurant open late for all these students seemed like it would be a burden, but his joyful grin made her believe that he truly loved it.

“But Hailey,” he said, putting his finger up in the air, “your father always comes in and orders the salad. So, before you leave,” Tony yelled over the commotion as he went behind the counter, “I will whip you up one of my world-famous pies. You can take him one home on me!”

He winked, and she blushed even more.

That is so---

A crash in the dining room caught everyone’s attention.

“God damnit, Emilio! This isn’t your house!” Tony was yelling, but his grin showed that he was enjoying every minute of what was going on. “Now I am going to make you---"

“Hailey!” His voice, ringing out from the other side of the pizza parlor, pulled her away.

Gunner!

She pressed her shirt down against her jeans as he maneuvered through the crowd. A few students parted so he could wiggle by.

“Juelz!” he said, hugging her friend when he arrived.

“Gunner! What a game today!” Juliana smiled slyly.

“Yeah, well, closer than we were hoping for, but a win is a win.”

“Is Peyton here?” Her friend was already making her way toward the other students, as if she had planned this escape well in advance.

“Yeah,” Gunner said, pointing to a booth in the back.

“I’m just going to say hi.” Juliana winked at Hailey and took off into the crowd of students.

Wait!

She knew what Juliana was doing, and by the smirk on Gunner’s face, so did he. Her insides were beginning to swirl, and as she watched Gunner nervously shift in front of her, she could not help but do the same.

“So,” he said, slapping his hands together, “you came tonight.”

She shifted from one foot to the other, holding on to the hem of her shirt for dear life.

“Yeah, Juliana picked me up, and, well, it was fun.”

Stop fidgeting with your shirt!

She was breathing quickly, her palms becoming sweaty.

Wait, what is going on?

His friend Tyquan had started motioning something to Gunner from a distance, and she could not help but try to get a better look.

“Does he want something?” She tilted her head, noticing that Brad had joined him, along with a few cheerleaders. “And is he talking with Brad?”

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