Page 59 of Calling the Shots

“We’ve been studying film all week.”

“Have you really?” Sloane’s brows fly up in surprise.

“Well, he’s been watching film. I mostly make popcorn and scroll Instagram on my phone. But I picked up a thing or two.”

Sloane laughs. “That sounds more like the Gracelyn I know. Good to see not everything’s changed since I left.”

“The score is still thirteen to eight with two minutes left in the game. Thunder Creek has the ball.” The announcer broadcasts the obvious, and I swear the entire stadium holds one collective breath.

This is probably our last offensive possession, our last chance to score. Sloane grabs Meg’s hand to keep her from permanently damaging her skin, and Langley and the offensive line get ready. Ball in hand, he throws a quick pass to the left. The receiver gains a few yards, but not enough for a first down.

“Damn it,” Meg mutters, and I huff out a quick sigh.

“Not over yet, Meg,” Cam says, his voice calm and reassuring.

Langley winds back and tosses a perfect pass down the field, finding the wide receiver. I hop to my feet and cheer.

“Yes, let’s go, Thunder Creek!”

The crowd erupts as we finally score, the cheerleaders chanting our victory cheer. Cam and Sloane kiss, and I high-five Meg.

“As long as we don’t do anything wacky in the next thirty seconds, that should do it.” Cam points to the scoreboard as the numbers flip.

If I thought I was nervous before, I was mistaken. Every muscle in my body’s coiled tight as the defense takes the field one last time. Mack’s waving his arms through the air, calling the play.

I hold my breath as the clock ticks down. The quarterback hurls a long pass down the field, but Mack’s coverage is superior. Our guy leaps into the air, knocking the ball down.

Ten, nine, eight.

One last pass, but the quarterback can’t get it done.

“And Thunder Creek wins fourteen to thirteen!” the announcer shouts, and the crowd erupts into the fight song, the bass notes of the tuba swelling and the dance team turning flips.

“Great game, Meg!” Sloane hugs Langley’s mom, the color finally returning to her cheeks.

“Whew, I’m so relieved, y’all.” She huffs out a breath, and Cam laughs.

“Guess this is how my parents feel every game.”

“Absolutely.” Meg tucks her hair behind her ear and waves at Langley, who’s beaming on the sideline. “I have to get down there. Thanks for the moral support.”

“Anytime.” Sloane gives her arm a pat, then Meg hurries down the steps to hug her son.

“Gracelyn, I think someone’s looking for you.” Sloane taps my shoulder and I follow her gaze. Sure enough, Mack’s peering up into the stands.

“Go ahead. We’ll wait for you.” She gives me a little push and I skip down the bleachers, my heart thundering in my chest.

For the first time, a guy’s waiting for me on the football field of Thunder Creek High, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

CHAPTER19

MACK

“That game was wild.” Sloane slips into the only available booth at Mustang’s, a quiet spot in the corner. Well, quiet’s a stretch. The bar’s packed after we won the Homecoming game, filled to bursting with parents, alums—pretty much anyone in town over the age of twenty-one. All the kids’ll be out at the lake, whooping it up and doing things I’d rather not know about. In here, the grown-ups laugh, talk, legally drink, and watch the highlights of the game on the television above the bar.

Cam scoots in next to Sloane so Gracelyn moves to the other side of the table, taking the corner spot. I slide in beside her, and Carter pauses for a second before pulling up a chair at the end of the booth.

“Lightning Ridge played well. I knew they were tough, but that game was way closer than I wanted it to be.” Carter lifts his ball cap, smoothing his hair back before popping it back on again.

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