Page 51 of A Game as Old as Time

Emilio clicked his tongue and peered up into the clear sky.

“Yeah, well, not like I had much of a choice.”

Juelz came sprinting up behind Gunner’s mother and embraced her.

“Mrs. Weston!” she yelled, spinning her around.

“Juelz! You look wonderful, sweetheart!” His mother’s glow had returned. “Juelz, are you going to take care of my Peyton for me on stage?”

She smiled and slid in next to Gunner.

“Well, Mrs. Weston. I think your daughter is going to be wonderful. I’m so happy that she was able to get some of the cheerleading team to join us and lend a hand.”

Peyton was now wrapped around Juelz as they started talking about the role she would be playing.

“Fellas?” his mother asked, pointing at them. “What are you going to be playing?”

Oh boy.

Gunner was unsure how they would respond. After all, he had only roped them into the musical late last night.

It was Juelz’s idea to spring it on them at Tony D’s after the win. Whilethey had reluctantly agreed, he was worried that when the adrenaline of the game passed, they would come to their senses and back out.

“Well,” Andy said, stepping up, “I’m going to be the candlestick.” His eyes were on Juelz, who gave him a flirtatious grin.

The perfect role for Andy.

It had been years now that Andy and Juelz had been together in secret. Gunner considered that a loose term at this point, as they were terrible at hiding it. He knew Andy was waiting for the right time to tell Emilio, but so far, that time had not presented itself.

“I’m playing the feather duster. Andy and I get a chance to dance together,” Juelz said softly, her cheeks growing red.

“Yeah, well.” Emilio shook his head and pushed in between them. “I’m playing the clock or whatever. Gunner said I have a pretty big part, so you know…” He shrugged his broad shoulders.

Safe for now, Andy.

“And JT?” His mother looked over at the wide receiver, who was nervously shifting from one foot to the other.

“I am, umm, the dad, I guess.”

His mother clapped loudly.

“That’s a great part!”

JT smirked, a little embarrassed. He was never one to be the center of attention.

“Well, you know, Mrs. W---”

She reached up and grabbed his face, kissing his cheek.

“I know you all are extremely talented, and not just on the football field, JT. You are going to do a fantastic job.” She tilted her head over to Gunner. “What about Ty?”

Yeah, Ty.

Gunner hesitated. He had not seen his best friend since the pizza parlor the night before.

“I’m the bad guy, Momma Weston!” Ty glided around the corner, a bottle of water in hand.

“Ty!” she protested as he picked her up.

---