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“Well, our team is on offense right now. That means they’re trying to score.” She points to the field. “See, the quarterback. That’s Bash. He’s trying to throw the ball to one of his receivers. And that’s Brandon. He plays tight end.” Gemma points toward number 85.

I nod, pretending to understand, but my eyes are glued to Sebastian. The way he commands the field and the way he moves is mesmerizing.

He gets tackled to the ground.

“Oh, did you see that? He just got sacked!” Mary exclaims.

I wince. “Is that bad?”

“It’s not great. It means the defense got to him before he could throw the ball,” Gemma explains.

Brushing off his jersey, Sebastian picks himself up, jaw clenched tight.

The game continues, a flurry of starts and stops, cheers and groans from the crowd. I’m on the edge of my seat, heart racing every time Sebastian takes the field.

“Touchdown!” Gemma and Mary scream in unison, leaping to their feet.

I join them, clapping and cheering as Sebastian spikes the ball in the end zone. He turns to the stands with a triumphant, cocky grin, and his eyes find mine, making my knees weak.

The game rages on, and I find myself swept up in the fervor, my voice hoarse from screaming Sebastian’s name.

“Damn, Lil, I didn’t know you had it in you!” Gemma laughs. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you had a thing for my brother.”

I try to play it off with a shrug. “I’m just really into football.”

Mary snorts. “Sure, and I’m the Queen of England.”

The ball soars through the air, spiraling towards Sebastian’s waiting hands. But then, out of nowhere, Jason slams into him,knocking him off his feet and snatching the ball away. Sebastian goes down hard, his helmet bouncing off the turf.

The crowd gasps, confusion rippling through the stands.

“Is he okay?” I ask.

“I hope so,” Gemma says.

“Aren’t they on the same team?”

“They are.”

A man’s voice booms across the field, his face red. “Barron! Campbell! Sidelines, now!”

“This can’t be good. That’s their coach,” Mary says.

Sebastian and Jason jog to the bench, their shoulders tense. The team huddles around them, and Sebastian gets in Jason’s face, his finger jabbing at his chest. Jason shoves him back, and Brandon steps between them, his hands held up in a placating gesture.

The coach gestures at Jason, who then rips his helmet off, tosses it to the ground, and stalks off the field.

Sebastian glares after him, his chest heaving and his fists clenched at his sides. Brandon claps him on the shoulder, murmuring something in his ear, but Sebastian shakes his head.

What happened?

The game continues, and I lean forward in my seat, absorbed in the action on the field.

Sebastian maneuvers the ball downfield and cocks his arm back, launching the ball in a beautiful spiral. It lands perfectly in the hands of his receiver, who races into the end zone. Another touchdown.

The final whistle blows, sealing our victory, and I’m on my feet, screaming and hugging Gemma and Mary.

They did it. They won.

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