Page 37 of The Way We Win

“One more, Coach?” Logan looks at me, and I can’t tell if he saw where my attention had drifted.

“It’s a good day.” I look up at the overcast sky. “I hate to waste it.”

“We can take a break and then run a few more.”

Liv’s girls launch into a series of hand moves, swinging their hips in time to music coming from a small speaker.

Allie and Dylan stand back with their arms crossed as Liv leads them through the choreography, and every few minutes, Allie sneaks a glance in my direction.

It’s a fresh little explosion every time our eyes meet, and I clear my throat, realizing Logan is waiting for my answer.

“You’re right. The boys have been working hard. Let’s go one more round and wrap it up.”

“You sure?” A teasing grin lifts the corner of his mouth, and I know he busted me that time. “We could stay longer if you’d like.”

“I’m sure. I’ve seen all I need for today.”

Logan tweets the whistle then circles his finger above his head. “One more round, and that’s a wrap.”

The boys huddle quickly before lining up again. Another snap, and the girls get quiet watching them. Noah shoots down the field on the outside, but Flynn Barnes, our cornerback, is on him. Austin is under pressure, as two big guys barrel forward.

“Where’s Tyreek?” My voice is low, but I see our offensive lineman is on the ground. “Shit.”

Austin’s on the verge of being sacked when his eyes light, and he pulls back, sending it easily into Levi’s waiting hands in the end zone.

Again, the spectators go wild.

The drill team jumps up and down, shaking their small pom poms over their heads and kicking to their noses as the parents in the bleachers stomp their feet and cheer. Even Kimmie is jumping up and down, kicking her leg and yelling for Austin.

“Looks like we’ve got a winning pair.” Zane glances at me, and I nod.

“We’ll reverse it and see how they do tomorrow.”

The boys all crowd around the cooler, and I can’t stop myself. One more time, I look over at Allie standing with my sister. This time she looks right back at me, smiling broadly.

It’s the best thing I’ve seen all afternoon.

9

Allie

“Don’t tell Liv I asked you this, but how is the drill team different from the cheerleading squad?” I’m standing in the kitchen at Cooters & Shooters watching Dylan finish up tonight’s Dare Dish.

It’s Pepper X pork chili with a coconut and sour cream base. Plastic gloves are on her hands, and she’s wearing a plastic shield over her eyes as she carefully moves the pot of chili onto the rolling cart.

“Drill team is an all-girl precision dance line. The cheerleaders are co-ed, and they do cheers, chants, climbing formations, and tumbling.”

“But the drill team cheers, too.” I step back as a spicy pepper sensation in the air makes my nostrils tingle. “Dang, Dylan! What is that? It’s burning my nose.”

“Isn’t it wild?” Her eyes are wide, and she slips off the plastic gloves and grabs several loaves of French bread. “Pepper X is currently considered the hottest pepper in the world.” Her eyes widen behind the safety shield. “It’s hotter than a Carolina Reaper.”

I hold a towel over my mouth and nose for protection. “Who’s going to eat that?”

“Oliver Duck,” she snips. “And if I hear one more word out of him about how my Dare dishes have fallen off, I’m going to make him eat a whole one raw.”

“Okay, Miss Feisty.” I laugh, raising my eyebrows at Craig, who’s just entered the room.

“She’s still working on it?” He jumps back, going to the other side of the large table and holding a hand over his nose. “I thought you’d be finished by now. The crowd is lining up out there.”

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