Page 111 of Forever Cursed

I eye the package as I approach it, waiting for it to start ticking. When nothing happens, I bend down to open the box. My shoulders drop when I don’t see a bloody body part waiting for me. I reach in to grab the jersey Rome left me, and I hold it to my chest to hug it. Number 35, Carter. The only thing that could make this gift better is if it smelled like him. Orbetteryet, if Rome was wearing it.

With my new jersey in hand, I enter my dorm to get changed. The sun is setting, but the buzz in the air is palpable. Everyone, even our non-sporty fan group, is ready for the first game of the season. Everyone said they would meet me outside because they were afraid someone would get lost if we met inside the stadium.Cough, cough, Gwen, cough, cough.

I put on some jeans and slip the jersey on. My reflection in the mirror makes me smile, and my heart fills with pride. This is my boyfriend’s number, his last name is on my back, and hopefully, if Malik plays nice, he’ll dominate the field tonight.

Leaving my hair down, I slip on a pair of tennis shoes and head outside. No one is waiting for me when I exit the building. So, I reach for my phone to text the group chat.

Where are you bitches?

Gwen: We’re walking now. We managed to kidnap Max.

What?!

Max: She dangled Rome in front of me... What can I say? I’m a sucker for that boy.

Ash: Proud dad moment. Brings tears right to my eyes.

“Hi, Chrissy!” Zack shouts and waves with both of his arms farther down the path.

Putting my phone away, I walk toward our group and barrel into my brother. “I missed you,” I tease.

“Get off me, woman. I don’t know where you’ve been.”

I gasp loudly, grabbing my chest and feigning shock. “My feelings have been hurt. I hope you’re proud of yourself. Ash, hold me.”

I fall into his arms and thank the stars that he caught me.

“Sometimes I wonder where I would be today if I hadn’t taken biochem last fall,” Ash says with a playful sigh.

“You’d be bored and lonely,” Gwen says in a singsong voice.

Max snorts as the rest of us chuckle.

“She has a point,” Ash says as he wraps his other arm around Gwen, holding us like he did at Horror Fest last year.

“Let’s go. We don’t want Rome to think we forgot about him.” Max ushers us forward, and we fall in step.

The football stadium is alive, unlike the last few times I’ve been here over the summer. Students and college football fans are all dressed in red and black, ready to cheer on the Castle Brook Dragons. I didn’t keep up with sports my last four years here, but Rome tells me that every year they get close to winning the cup. He hopes they win this season, not only to help his drafting prospects but for the team and a final farewell.

I have no doubt they’ll make it. My only concern is Malik Chen. No one knows what he’ll do tonight. If I didn’t push him away the last time I saw him, he might have kept his word in passing Rome the ball. Malik is a wild card, though, so who knows what will happen.

With a release of air, I move over to Gwen and take her hand in mine. She squeezes it, and the show of support has me righting my posture. I don’t know why nerves are twisting in my stomach. It could be that football is a dangerous sport, and with one wrong move, Rome could end up with a concussion. Or maybe it’s that I don’t trust Malik to not hurt Rome himself. Or perhaps it has everything to do with the fact that I’m about to see Rome in his full uniform. Either way, I’m sure tonight is going to be eventful.

Rome got us front-row seats near the middle of the field, behind the players’ benches. Chatter and music float through the warm air, and excitement settles in my core as we all get comfortable in our spots. Gwen bounces in her seat as the boys talk about something I can’t quite understand.

Reaching for me, she takes my hand and offers me a wide smile. “Ready?” she asks.

I open my mouth to respond but am cut off by the booming voice of the announcer on the loudspeakers.

“Castle Brook Dragons! Are you ready?!”

Everyone hoots and hollers in response.

“Let’s usher in the 2016-2017 season and give our team the welcome they deserve!”

Music begins to play again, and in the far left corner of the field, the team runs out, the cheering reaching a crescendo. I can’t make out anyone’s faces because they’re all wearing their helmets, but when I see number 35, my heart rate increases and a smile plants itself on my face.

Here goes nothing.Go kick some ass, Rome, and don’t let Malik get to you.

---