Page 30 of I Blame the Rival

A looming structure rises in the distance, the unmistakable outline of Silverwood’s one and only football stadium piercing through the night sky.

“Oh my gosh, is that the stadium?” She whips her head around, “We have to go.”

“You want to visit an empty stadium?”

Lacey grins, “Pretty please? This is the only chance I'll get to be a varsity athlete.”

I stare at her, taking in the raw excitement spreading across her face. Even if I was the strongest man in the world, I wouldn’t be able to say no to this girl.

“Does this mean you’re competing as a Saber?”

“Obviously.” She points to my sweater with a smile, “I’ve got the merch now.”

My eyes drop to the university logo plastered across the grey material. It’s resting on the shoulders of a rival and I don’t think it has ever looked better.

“Let’s go find an empty stadium.”

Chapter 7

Lacey

Football stadiums are so romantic.

Sweeping my eyes along the painted turf, I let out a sigh as I picture the famous scene of Austin Ames running off the field to find his Cinderella. The wooden bleachers stand tall and proud along the edge, the massive scoreboard lying dormant under the dark sky.

Over the years, I’ve been to many stadiums to watch Wesley and Nico’s lacrosse tournaments, but I’ve never had the chance to touch the field before.

“Is it everything you’d hoped it would be?”

The low pitch of Skylar’s voice sends a shiver through me. I hug his sweater closer, trying to play off my body’s response.

“Absolutely.”

I sneak a glance in his direction and find both eyes trained on my face. The blue iris is easier to see in the dark, but the dark onedraws me in more. His face is completely expressionless, but I can see the curiosity shining in his eyes.

“Remember when I said I was competing as a Saber? I lied.” Hunching my shoulders, I pretend to prowl towards him, “I’m a tiger in disguise.”

I leap forward and tag him before sprinting in the opposite direction.

“YOU’RE IT!”

Stealing a glance over my shoulder, I find Skylar staring after me as if he’s not quite sure what to do. I throw my head back and laugh, feeling freer than I have in a long time.

“Come on, Skylar! Don’t let the rival win.”

He hesitates, looking around as if to see if I’d be playing with anyone else. I slow down, suddenly aware he might not know the rules of tag, when he breaks into a run. I wait until he’s close enough to reach me before dodging and racing for the closest goal post. I’m just about to reach it when a gentle tap hits my shoulder.

“Too slow, Flower.”

I whip around, trying to grab him but he jumps out of reach. Skylar turns, sprinting in the opposite direction and I go charging after him.

This man must have been lying about his sports history because he can run. My lungs are screaming by the time I make it halfway down the field and I have to hold up a hand in defeat.

“Time out!” Gasping for air, I bend over and brace my hands on my knees. Skylar jogs over, looking anything but winded.

“Had enough of the varsity status?”

I gulp down a breath and shake my head, “Not what it’s cracked up to be.”

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