Page 34 of Broken

Still unable to score after the timeout, our punting team came out, taking their shot at the game. As soon as the ball was punted, the other team fumbled it, my breaths bated until their wide receiver was able to recover it, and he hurried to pass before getting tackled by our players. Our defense swooped in with an interception. Again, the crowd roared, and our offense moved back onto the field. My blood pumped, knowing it was time to work, my fingers twitching with anticipation as the ball was snapped. My head whipped around, looking for the pass, but with no one open and knowing the recruiters were in the stands,I tucked the ball under my arm and raced to the end zone. Leaping over a halfback, another player slammed into my side midair, and I landed, eating astroturf, with the ball just inside the goal line.

The crowd erupted. The band played. I didn’t even care how much that fucking hurt because if that didn’t get me a damn scholarship tonight, I didn’t know what would.

ANNIE

I watched, my heart in my throat,as Jet was slammed sideways, but the second the crowd realized he’d landed the touchdown, chaos erupted in the stands. Not as much as my nerves. It wasn’t until he stood and touched his two fingers to the mouth of his helmet, raising them up to me, that I felt myself start to breathe again.

“That was awesome, but shit, he’s gonna feel that one tomorrow,” Tucker commented as he sat back down.

I nodded, my eyes still on Jet, watching for a limp or anything that said he might be in pain as he walked away. The recruiters were seated at the front of the stands, and I watched them making notes, but their expressions were impossible to read. If I could just get inside their freaking heads.

“I’ve gotta head out,” Tucker said a few minutes later, and I nodded, pulling my legs in so he could pass. I’d joined Jet’s family up in the stands, and Tucker’s was right behind us. When he headed down to meet Izzy for halftime, I sat back, finally able to relax now with a break in the game. Archer nudged mefor a few dollars for the concession stand, and I watched him disappear with Colton down below, telling him to grab me some popcorn and a soda while he was there.

The band was making their way out onto the field, and Izzy and the rest of the homecoming court were heading around the track for their entrance. Her dress flowed in the wind, a striking red halter top that hugged all of her curves before flowing out around her legs. A slit in the side showed just above her knee, and she had a pair of sparkling gold heels that shimmered out from the bottom of her dress under the stadium lights. Tucker stood next to her in black slacks and a white dress shirt, and even I had to admit our best friend looked dashing. He had that casual disarray type of look, his sleeves rolled up and hair disheveled while still looking completely put together.

The dance team formed the procession line as the band began to playIcicles, and the homecoming court lined up, waiting for their names to be called.

Emma came down first, Liam still dressed in his football uniform at her side, followed by Bev, another cheerleader, and her boyfriend. Izzy was last, and Tucker held out his arm, proudly guiding her to their place along the sideline.

I crossed my fingers, praying for my sister, and when they called her name, she covered her mouth with her hands, disbelief still splayed over her face as they placed the crown on her head.

Her eyes searched the crowd, and she beamed as she spotted me and Archer, but I still saw the slight drop in her expression when she realized Mom wasn’t here. I gave her an understanding smile and watched as she blinked the disappointment away. So quickly, I’d almost think it hadn’t been there.

I ran down the steps, dodging my way through the crowd to the next section of the stands so I could lean over the rail. “You look amazing. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks.” She beamed, and I knew at that moment she was just as happy as I was. The game was going great, my sister had won, and even not knowing the ending, it felt like a night I wouldn’t forget.

Chapter 11

ISABEL

After the game had ended, Jet and Tucker slipped away from their families, saying they were staying with some of the football guys at Corey’s tonight while Annie and I claimed Emma’s house. We grabbed a quick bite at Bob’s diner and then headed out to a more secluded spot down the beach, just past where the private strip we’d grown up at over the summers ended. Using Tucker’s headlights to set up a bonfire, we were now gathered around the flames in lawn chairs, the four of us roasting marshmallows as we chatted and stared out at the rippling water.

“I still can’t believe how the game ended,” Tucker stated. He popped the top off another beer that Corey’s brother had been nice enough to get for us, taking a long pull.

“I know,” Annie blurted, onto her fourth. “We weresoclose. How did we go from a huge lead to winning by one freaking point?”

“Hey, a win’s a win.” Jet pulled his marshmallow from the fire, inspecting it before sticking it back in, but I couldn’t help but see his mood was nowhere near as hyped as we’d hoped.

“So, what was the deal with the recruiters again?” I asked. I’d been on cloud nine when we’d first met up after the game when he’d first shared, but it was like only bits and pieces of the conversation had stayed in my brain. I laid my head on Tucker’s arm, the edge of my tiara pressing into my temple near my ear. I’d changed into leggings and a comfortable top, but I was choosing to be girly about keeping my tiara on. A girl didn’t win one every day. My eyes drifted closed for a few moments before I peeled them back open again. I couldn’t explain why, but I was tired, more than I expected, my brain more and more like a fog as the night wore on.

Jet gave me a funny look. “The coach from Ridgeside University was pretty sure he’d filled his quarterback position for next year, but he said he’d keep me in mind if things fell through. And the A&M recruiter was looking for a running back. He ended up talking to Noah. Which is awesome for him, but Coach was kind of pissed. There was another guy from East Texas University who was supposed to show up and didn’t. He’s going to try to get him and a few others to another game.”

I gave him a sympathetic smile. “Well, there’s definitely still a little time. And at least that other one’s keeping you on his radar. That’s good. And if things keep up, it’s looking good for playoffs this year. That’s even more time.”

Jet nodded, finally pulling his marshmallow from the fire. Flames blazed on the puffy whiteness, blackening the surface, and I grimaced when he blew it out, the smell of the sugary sweetness like it was right under my nose. My stomach niggled,and I tucked my nose into Tucker’s arm, hiding from the affronting scent.

“You okay?” He looked down, concerned.

“Just tired. I feel a little off, but I’m okay. Maybe the excitement from tonight got to me.”

“That and you were up until two AM in your studio last night,” Annie pointed out. “It’s no wonder you’re tired.”

I shrugged a shoulder, knowing she was probably right. But I hadn’t been able to sleep, I was so wound up, my stomach slightly off even then with nerves over homecoming. I had no idea what was up with it now.

“Hey, I meant to check. Are any of the schools Coach mentioned the same as any of Tucker’s scholarship offers?” Annie chimed in again, her mind on a new tangent.

Tucker shook his head. “No, not so far, but I’ve still got another season to get more.”

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