Page 12 of The First Play

Shuffling in the stands, I rub my arms, trying to stay warm as the football game unfolds before us.

Zander’s on the field, getting in position to take the ball and… throw it down the field.

“Yes!” I make a fist, tensing as I watch the wide receiver chase the ball down and catch it just twenty yards from the end zone. “Woo-hoo!” I punch the air, jumping to my feet with the rest of the crowd.

Man, I love Friday nights.

This is my first Friday night game, but I just know they’ll be addictive.

I love that this is a home game.

I love this crowd.

Olivia giggles, giving me a sideways hug. “Your man is on fire tonight.”

“He’s not her man,” Becky says testily. “They haven’t even gone on one date.”

“Oh please. With the amount of eye sex these two are having, it’s just a matter of time.”

“Eye sex?” I grab her jacket sleeve. “We’re not having eye sex.”

“Whatever you say, hon.” She pats my hand and starts laughing at me. “You’re so red right now.”

“I’m not having eye sex with Zander Donohue.” I flush, covering my no doubt neon cheeks.

Becky snorts and shakes her head, obviously agreeing with Olivia. I turn to Emily for backup, but she’s no help. Her eyebrows are wiggling up and down, and the smirk on her lips tells me I’m a fool for not realizing that is exactly what I’ve been doing.

“You want him so bad,” Olivia starts singing and doing this seductive dance that’s catching the eye of everyone around us.

“Stop it,” I hiss, wrapping my arm around her. “You’re killing me.”

She cackles and kisses my cheek.

“So, when are you actually going to do something about it?” Becky gives me a pointed look while the team sets up for their next play.

I keep my eyes on the field, hoping to avoid the question. I have no idea what to do about it. If Zander likes me as much as I like him, he would have asked me out already, right?

So now I’m worried that if I ask him first, he’ll just say he’s not interested or it’s not a good time for him. Ugh—I’ve heard that one before.

In ninth grade, I plucked up the courage to ask Stephen Tanaki to the school dance, and he just winced and murmured, “Sorry. Now’s not really a good time for me.”

What the hell did that mean?

Everyone within earshot started laughing at me, and I swore I would never initiate a date again. And I’m still not sure I’m willing to break that vow, even if it is Zander Donohue, the guy I’ve liked more than any other guy in my entire life!

“Touchdown!” Emily yells, jumping to her feet and cheering for her brother, Noah. “Good job!” She’s clapping and laughing, turning to spot her parents in the stand behind us and giving them a wave. Her mom looks so proud right now.

I smile and cheer along with the crowd, my eyes trained on Zander as he takes off his helmet and runs to the edge of the field. The team is jumping around and slapping one another on the helmets and shoulders and butts. Seriously, boys are weird.

“It’s halftime. Let’s go grab a hot cider.” Becky stands, ordering us up, but my eyes are still trained on the field as the team makes their way to the locker room.

Zander looks up, maybe sensing my stare, and I boldly watch him, my lips curling into a smile. He grins back, then stops on the track, hollering up to me, “Wait for me after the game!”

I point to myself, walking down the stairs and making sure I’m not imagining this.

He laughs. “Yeah, you, bright eyes!” Then, with the sexiest wink ever given to anyone, he picks up his pace and disappears down the tunnel.

With a gasp, I spin to find my friends watching me with various expressions of triumph.

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