Page 36 of The Purest Fake

The ball sails through the air, and the crowd roars as our returner catches it and starts sprinting up field. He makes it to the thirty yard line before being tackled.

The crowd erupts as our offense takes the field. I spot Cooper lining up at tight end, his stance radiating intensity even from this distance.

“Oh my God!” Cassie squeals. “He didn’t tell me he was starting.”

“I didn’t know either, but it makes sense considering what an asset he’s been in the first two games.”

The first play is a handoff to the running back, who gains a few yards up the middle. On second down, Rogan drops back to pass. My gaze locks on Cooper as he runs his route, breaking free from the linebacker covering him.

“He’s open,” I shout, jumping to my feet.

Rogan fires the ball and it spirals perfectly into Cooper’s waiting hands. He turns upfield, gaining another ten yards before being brought down.

“First down,” Autumn cheers, high-fiving both of us.

“That’s my brother!” Cassie whoops proudly.

The drive continues with a mix of runs and short passes.

As the offense marches down the field, the excitement in the stadium builds. Cooper makes another catch for a first down, drawing cheers from the crowd.

“He’s on fire today,” Autumn exclaims.

I nod in agreement, unable to take my eyes off Cooper as he lines up for the next play. There’s something captivating about watching him in his element, his movements fluid and purposeful.

The ball is snapped and Rogan drops back to pass. Cooper breaks free from his defender, sprinting toward the end zone. My heart races as I see Rogan wind up and launch the ball deep.

“Go, Cooper!” I shout, jumping to my feet along with Cassie and Autumn.

The ball arcs through the air, seeming to hang there for an eternity. Cooper stretches out, his fingertips just grazing the ball as he manages to haul it in.

The stadium explodes in cheers as he spikes the ball and is mobbed by his teammates. I’m still on my feet, screaming and jumping up and down with Autumn and Cassie.

“That’s my boyfriend!” I yell without thinking. Autumn gives me a questioning look.

As the celebration on the field dies down, Cooper jogs back toward the sideline. Just before he reaches his teammates, he stops and looks up toward our section of the stands. Even from this distance, I can see the huge grin on his face as he points directly at us and gives a little bow.

“Did you see that?” Cassie asks, yanking on my sleeve. “He totally acknowledged us.”

I nod, my heart racing. “Yeah, I saw.”

“That was so sweet of him,” Autumn adds, smiling knowingly at me. “Looks like someone’s feeling pretty good about his fake girlfriend being here,” she whispers teasingly.

I elbow her playfully, but I can’t keep the smile from my face. “Oh stop it. He’s just excited about the touchdown.”

I try to ignore the flutter in my stomach at Cooper’s gesture. It didn’t mean anything. He’s just playing the part of the devoted boyfriend for the cameras. But a small voice in the back of my mind whispers that maybe there was something more behind that smile and point.

When halftime rolls around, the score is tied with both teams having ten points on the scoreboard. The three of us stand and shake out our legs for a few minutes before we sit down once more.

Autumn lets out an audible sigh. “If the Silverbacks don’t win this game, Rogan is going to be devastated.”

“Cooper too,” Cassie says.

“Think positively. It might not be an easy one to win, but they’re tough. They’ll fight to the end. Besides, they’re playing so well.”

By the end of the fourth quarter, the Silverbacks look like a different team, and not in a good way. Our defense can’t seem to stop the run and our offensive line keeps breaking down, leaving Rogan scrambling for his life. I’m regretting my earlier words about them playing well and hoping I didn’t jinx them.

“Dammit. I hope I’m not bad luck,” Cassie says.

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