Page 124 of A Game as Old as Time

“You girls were amazing!” Hailey waved to the other cheerleaders, whowere skipping up the hallway. “I am so glad you joined this year.”

“We wouldn’t have, if not for you. But I am so glad we did. It was so much fun! Thanks, Hailey!” Peyton took a second to giggle with her friends before she peeked back at the end of the hallway. “He, umm, he’s already at the main entrance.” Peyton leaned in close and whispered. “I think he’s waiting for you.”

Gunner.

The young cheerleaders immediately ran to join the other cast members by the door.

Right.

Hailey took a deep breath, steadying herself before beginning her walk to meet her co-star.

I wonder…

She found him just around the corner, standing by the trophy case.

Gunner.

She was struck again by how handsome he was in his blue tuxedo coat, the yellow lining contrasting brilliantly with the white shirt underneath.

“Hey,” she said softly to his back, “you thinking about the game?”

He jumped, and she heard him exhale. The runner-up trophy was front and center.

The last play of that game felt like it took an hour, and Hailey could still see the boys lying on the field in defeat. The image of the other team celebrating next to them had replayed in her head the entire drive home.

However, in time, it had faded. What remained was the image of her father and Gunner---the way they embraced tightly after the play, the way they seemed frozen, immune to the worries of those around them.It was a moment that she would never forget. She knew that whenever she was going through a tough time, that image would help her. She knew she would hold on to it for the rest of her life.

“Actually…” He turned.

He’s smiling!

“I wasn’t.”

She finally realized what he was really staring at. It was the picture of his father, the one he had been looking at all those months ago.

Oh, that smile, Gunner.

When his green eyes locked on her, she saw the strength that had pulled her in from the beginning.

“I was thinking about how happy he must be right now.”

He grabbed her hands, and the familiar butterflies began to flutter.

“He would have been so proud of you,” she whispered as they came close. “You were fantastic out there.”

The rustling of the other cast members was a mere backdrop. All she could focus on was Gunner’s face. His eyes held her still. He came even closer, cupping her face and putting his lips against hers.

I love this.

As he gripped her tighter, she felt her body weaken and fall into his arms.

“I held back a little on the stage. I hope that’s alright.”

She giggled and pulled him right up against her.

“I love you, Hailey.” The words floated from his mouth, melting her even more deeply into his arms. “You saved me.”

He held her as if she might run away.

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