Page 53 of A Game as Old as Time

“Guys…” Gunner said softly to the others.

“Don’t worry about it, G.” Emilio grabbed his shoulder tight. “We know.”

Gunner nodded and felt JT and Andy slap him on the back.

They know.

**********

“I just don’t think it will work.” Bridgette was obviously not on board with Juliana’s proposal.

This is a fair, not a fundraiser.

Hailey was trying to concentrate on the conversation at hand, but the mass of people moving around her was distracting. Her eyes flashed between the vendor stands, each thrumming with people. The smells of pizza and popcorn were making her hungry.

“Hailey?” Juliana said, grabbing her attention. “What do you think?”

Me!?

Hailey had just been briefed on this plan, and while she knew Juliana wanted this to work, it sounded downright crazy to her.

The football guys would never go for this, and quite frankly, the idea was uncomfortable for her. Not just because she hated football and her dad coached them, but because the thought of working closely with Gunner honestly frightened her.

She had not been able to stop thinking about his face when she went home the night before. Her dad had been so happy as he recounted all the great moments of the game. But every time he brought up Gunner, her heart would skip, and she had spent most of the conversation struggling to catch her breath.

“I don’t know…” Hailey was trying to figure out how to put it into words. “I mean, I don’t know the boys like you do but---”

“They’re football players, Juelz!” Bridgette crossed her arms, agreeing with Hailey for the first time since she had arrived. “They don’t care about our musical!”

Brad, with whom Hailey had a few classes, approached from behind with a bag of cotton candy.

“Hi, Hailey!” He smiled and waved.

Brad!

Unlike Bridgette, Brad had warmed up to her quickly. He also seemed much happier since he had been told he no longer had to play the lead male role.

“I know these boys, and I know---” Juliana glanced over Hailey’s shoulder. “Gunner! Boys!” She jumped forward.

Gunner.

Hailey froze as Juliana ran past her.

“Juelz!” His voice made her squeeze her eyes tight. “I can only imagine what you’re talking about right now.”

She could feel him stop next to her, his silhouette blocking the sun.

“Well,” Juliana replied, now standing next to the group of football players. “We were just talking about how excited we are for the musical.”

Hailey peeked over at Gunner, who nodded, a sarcastic smile on his face.

He’s not buying it.

“I’m sure that’s what it was.” He gave a small wave to Hailey, who merely dipped her head. “Look.” He moved to the center of the group. “I know we’ve had our differences in the past. But we would not have volunteered for this unless we were ready to give one hundred percent.”

Bridgette’s eyes were not on Gunner; instead, they had shifted directly to Juliana’s brother.

“Are you suretheyvolunteered?” she responded snarkily, but Gunner refused to waver.

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