Page 48 of Replay

Me

Can I tell you something else?

BB

I have a feeling even if I said no, you’d still tell me.

Me

I’d give anything to look in the stands and see this again…

Me

[Picture message]

The picture is of her in the stands, wearing one of my practice jerseys on my senior night. The sports photographer at our school captured it perfectly, of her right after I ran a touchdown in from the 20-yard line.

BB

Oh geez,I haven’t seen that in forever. I look so young and innocent… And happy.

My chest constricts at the thought I damaged that happiness.

Me

You’re still young. And let’s be honest, you weren’t innocent then either. Do you remember what we did afterward…in my truck?

The thought has me adjusting my cock in my pants. Berkley and I could never keep our hands off each other. She doesn’t respond immediately, and I torture myself by glancing up in Graves’s direction again. This time, he has his phone up to his ear. It fucking guts me that it's probably her on the other end. I imagine going up there, ripping his phone from his ear, and throwing a Hail Mary out the window.

A few minutes later, she responds

BB

I remember.

The next day, we beat Georgia 40 to 28. Five touchdowns, three with two-point conversions, one with an extra point from Pike, and one we didn’t quite get the extra points across the line on. The only prediction of my dad’s that was off was the field goals; we managed to put our kicker in position for one in a fourth down, which Pike kicked beautifully. Nola scored three of our five touchdowns, turning the buzz about his abilities up even further. And I only got my block knocked twice by Solomon, so I’ll take that as a win.

Now, the guys have convinced me to sneak out of the hotel and go to a house party. Apparently, our linebacker, Williams, has a cousin in a sorority here. It sounds like an awful idea, but I know I’ll just sit in my bedroom and wait for Berkley to text me if not. I get in the Uber with Nola, Graham, and Maverick. Cash and Bellamy decided they didn’t want to go. Checking my phone for what feels like the hundredth time tonight, I scroll to the last messages between us.

BB

Good game, Outlaw. Brian’s predictions are almost so spot on it's scary.

Me

Thanks, BB. Yeah, I’m starting to think he’s got a magic ball or some shit.

BB

How’s your head? Solomon is a beast, huh?

Me

Nah, barely felt it.

BB

I’m sure, tough guy.

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