Page 27 of Game On

“That’ll do it,” Shawn says. “Your dad’s a beast.”

Matt sucks in a breath between his teeth. I can tell he’s struggling. “You going to be alright?”

He nods, his face beet red.

“I told you to keep up on your conditioning,” Shawn says, a hint of teasing in his voice.

“You really want to do this right now?” Matt asks. His voice is too strained to be pissy, but I’m sure that’s how he imagined it would come out.

We make the turn down Main Street. Three blocks ahead is the school, then the parking lot, then we’re done. “We’re almost there,” I say, eyeing the turn into the lot.

I’m breathless myself, and my calves are really starting to feel it, but I don’t complain. Matt needs us to hype him up right now, not commiserate with him.

“I’ll buy you a candy bar at concessions when we’re done,” Shawn offers. He peeks over at Matt to assess him, but just turns straight forward again, his lips pulling back in a grimace as we trudge along.

“Fuck you,” Matt says, but he laughs, too.

“Same,” I tell him. “I’m good for a candy bar.”

This makes Matt laugh even harder. When I look over at him, he smiles at me. I can’t help but think that at least the guys I’m pulling the Ballers with don’t hate me. I’m sure they’re not thrilled I encroached on their opportunity, but they’re taking it in stride. I don’t dare look behind me again, but I wonder if the Ballers are watching Matt struggle. Hopefully they’re too busy waving at their adoring fans. Up ahead, there’s a sign that says, “I love you, Sloan!” with a heart for the ‘o’ in his name. I almost roll my eyes until I see a grandma holding up a sign that says, “Marry me, Ryan?” How can you get mad at that? That’s just adorable.

Watching the little kids wave at them is the best. They’re all so excited to see them. By the way they’re saying hi and greeting them back, I know they’re having a ball up there, too. They live for this notoriety.

Finally, we make the turn into the school. “We’re so there,” I say to Matt. He’s cringing on every step now. I’d switch places with him if I thought the Ballers wouldn’t say anything, but they would. Up ahead, the float in front of us is stopping. We only have about fifty more yards. Stopping is difficult too because once we slow down, it takes a hell of a lot more strength to get it going again. After a few false stops and starts, we get the flatbed in place directly behind the float in front of us. All three of us drop our ropes and step out of them.

The Ballers jump off the float like nothing, landing gracefully. A few of their girlfriends swarm them. Ryan puts his hand around Rhonda’s shoulders while Sloan accepts a kiss from some dark-haired girl. The kiss is so intense it makes my face heat. He pulls her hips to his, and I have to look away or risk being called a creeper. While I’m staring at the ground, footsteps near us. “Great job,” Sloan says. I chance a glance up and see Ryan walking away, not so much as a thank you, or hell, even direction as to what we’re to do next.

It’s Alec that stays close to us while the rest of them walk away. Hayes, looking as calm as ever. Lake is no doubt high off of all the attention. “That was good, Recruits,” Alec says. “I’m glad you helped Dale out to make sure she showed. That’s exactly what we wanted to see.”

I almost roll my eyes. That wasn’t why they left me off the text. They were hoping I just didn’t show up. Though, from their point of view, leaving me off the text was a win-win situation. Either I didn’t show up and got busted for it, or the guys wouldn’t tell me and maybe they got some sort of backlash. The last thing they probably thought would happen was to have me show up like I knew about it the whole time.

Matt tries to put weight on his right calf, but he hisses, then sits down right where we’re at on the side of the parking lot. I go right to him. “Cramp,” he says, face contorted in pain.

I start rubbing his calf, kneading deep into the skin and right into the muscle.

“Fuck,” he snaps, grimacing as I try to rub the cramp out.

“I told you—”

Matt swings his gaze toward Shawn and Shawn shuts up. It really isn’t a good time to be saying I told you so.

Alec kneels right beside me. I glance over. His brows are furrowed, and he honestly looks concerned about Matt’s condition. “It’ll be okay,” I tell Matt. “You just overworked it.”

“Grab some ice, Shawn,” Alec says.

Shawn looks around like he has no idea where to find ice during homecoming but runs off anyway. I can still feel Matt’s muscle spasming under my hands, so I knead harder. I know this hurts like a bitch, but it’s the only way to get rid of it faster than just letting it take its course.

“You should be a sports PT,” Alec says.

I shake my head. Like he’d say that to one of the guys who just happened to be helping out. “No, thanks,” I tell him. “I’d rather play.” A minute later, Matt’s muscle stops spasming, so I take my hands off him and stand. At that moment, Shawn comes running back and gives him the ice.

Alec pushes off the ground and stands next to me. “I wasn’t trying to be a prick.”

I turn toward him, my eyebrows raised.

He lowers his voice. “I mean I wasn’t trying to be a prick right then.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Am I supposed to be able to tell the difference?”

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