Page 108 of A Game as Old as Time

Is he ready?

She steadied herself as he pointed down to the stadium.

“Every year, my dad and I would go to the state championship together. We would climb to the top of those high bleachers and stand against the concrete slabs at the back.” He closed his eyes. “We would analyze every play. I mean, we would really analyze them, like, go over what each player did right and wrong on every snap.”

He laughed to himself, opening his eyes and peering back down at the stadium.

I love it when he laughs.

The butterflies were twirling as she watched a more genuine smile grow on his face.

“After the game, we would stop and get something to eat. We would talk even more about the games, and we would laugh and joke.” He exhaled, his minty breath dancing in front of her, almost teasing. “Last year…” He rubbed his hand against the sling. “Last year, after we lost in the state semi-final, I couldn’t bring myself to go to the game with him.”

Oh no.

Regret and sorrow spasmed across his face.

“I wish…” He shivered, but she knew it was not from the cold. “I guess I wish I would have gone now.”

Hailey wanted to say something. She wanted so badly to be able to let him know that she understood what he was feeling. She had felt the same way about her mother.

“What you said the other day…” His face still held sorrow, but now she could see strength breaking through in his eyes. “I know it’s not easy for you to go out on the stage, to be the lead without her here.”

He knows.

He rotated further toward her, grabbing her hand.

“But seeing you up there---” He looked back over at the stadium.

“Gunner.” She finally pushed the words out. “When I am onstage, I know she is with me.” She brought his hand up and kissed it. “That field, that is your stage.” She squeezed his hand tightly, and he returned the pressure. “And I know your father will be with you.”

His head fell back against the seat. He paused for a second before a warm, bright smile joined his whisper.

“And so will you.”

I cannot do this anymore.

She jumped across the center console, trying to avoid his injured arm. She cupped his face and pushed her lips against his.

Wow!

She had dreamed about this moment for so long, about how it would feel and what his lips would taste like.

This is better than I thought it would be.

A tingle percolated throughout her body as he wrapped his right arm around her lower back. And when he slipped his tongue inside her mouth, a low whimper escaped.

So much better!

Back in August, she had hated Gunner Weston. She had hated the monster that he represented and the arrogance in every step he took. But now, after everything they had been through, he was all she could think about. He was in every dream she had and every thought that popped into her head.

I can’t stop.

His lips moved to her neck. The butterflies had disappeared, and a new feeling overtook her body. A fiery desire in the pit of her stomach brought a chill up her spine. She entangled her fingers in the shirt he wore.

I don’t want to stop.

He had finally done it. Gunner had finally opened up to her and found the strength she knew he had. The strength that had helped heal his town, his football team, and her family.

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