Page 77 of For Three Seconds

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The energyin the field was like a current, intensifying all my emotions. It made me feel anxious and nervous. People were shouting and chanting.

I had met Nick here pretty early; he told me to be almost invisible, and I wondered just how “allowed” I was here. It didn’t matter, because now there was no way I was leaving. I wore jeans and Gavin’s jersey, the one I never gave back to him. It was huge on me, but it was his.

The moment the players started to come out, everyone started screaming, yet I couldn’t hear a thing. I watched Gavin walk out in his black-and-gold football uniform looking like a Greek god. Damn was he beautiful. Whoever he was walking with pointed to where I was sitting. Even from across the field, I felt his penetrating gaze. All I could do was give him a small wave. His teammate patted his shoulder, and Gav got his head in the game.

The game was intense, and I forgot how violent these things could get. Everything about me staying put and quiet went out the window the first time Gavin got tackled. It helped ease me that every so often, he turned to look at me.

When the first half ended, we were losing by seven points. The guys started to walk to the locker room, but Gavin made his way to me. People cheered at the sight of him taking off his helmet. He didn’t stop until he was directly in front of me.

“You’re here,” he ground out.

“I’m at your game. And I’m wearing your shirt,” I blurted out before I lost my courage.

Gavin seemed to hold his breath.

“Scar,” he croaked.

“You better win this game if you want to impress me.”

Then he gave me a cocky smile and whispered in my ear. “Tonight, you’ll be in my arms and in my bed.”

Before I could say anything, he started to walk back, but he did it with a grin on his face. The halftime seemed to take forever; I just wanted the game to be over so I could run into Gavin’s arms.

When the second half started, the air was dense and palpable. I was on my feet watching plays, my eyes following Gavin, making sure he was okay. He seemed to be playing more aggressively—all the guys were. They were still losing, but not by much. Just nine points. Quincy was about to throw the ball when he got sacked. My heart sped like crazy, and the fans cheered louder.

The game kept going, and they were only losing by three points. I closed my eyes when they tackled down who I thought was Ollie. I looked at the scoreboard, and they only had three seconds. I didn’t want to be pessimistic, but that was not enough time. The guys huddled, their eyes going to Quincy as he gave them a pep talk. When the guys hooted, everyone was on their feet. I watched as the ball went to Quincy.

In the first second, he held it in his hands and threw it so fast the ball was a blur.

On the second, Gavin caught it; he ran like I’ve never seen him run before.

And on the third, the game ended at the same time he made a touchdown.

The stadium erupted in cheers, everyone going wild. The other players and cheerleaders ran to the field.

I only had eyes for Gav. He took off his helmet and turned to me. It didn’t matter who was around because it always led back to Gavin. I started running to him as fast as my legs would let me, pushing people out of the way. When I reached him, I threw myself at him, my body slamming against his while his arms wrapped around me.

“Did that impress you enough?” he said in my ear.

I didn’t reply; instead, I kissed him. Sometimes all it takes is three seconds for life to change.

Twenty-Seven

Gavin heldme in his arms as everyone cheered around us. My legs were wrapped around his waist, my hands at his nape.

“As much as I love your lips on me, we need to stop. I’m fucking hyped from the game, and I want to fuck you right now.”

My belly dipped with his words.

“Well, after the after-party,” I told him.

“Fuck the after-party. Wait for me by my car. I’ll go change.” He put me down with a chaste kiss.

Before he could take off to the locker rooms, his teammates were surrounding us and lifting him.

“Now you’re the real MVP,” Ollie shouted before I yelped because he lifted me too.

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