Page 76 of The Way We Win

I hit send, huffing a laugh through my nose.

The boys cut up in the back of the bus, teasing and giving each other shit. They’re amped up to play, but I’m amped up tosee her again. I want to see her smile when I put Austin in the game, and I want to see her smile when our eyes meet.

DLS

Thank you, Coach.

I’d like it on the floor of my bedroom.

DLS

Along with my underwear.

My dick jumps, and I shift in my seat, pushing it down with my hand.

Even better.

DLS

Seven more weeks.

The Trojans win the toss,and Austin comes off the line on fire. Noah is ready for him, and he fires a tight spiral right down the line into the running back’s arms. They don’t waste time.

Moving like they’ve been playing together all season, they get in formation without a word. It seems he took my short warning about lip readers to heart.

Another snap, another ten yards for the first down. The plays come swift and strong, and we’re all the way at the goal line when the home team seems to realize what’s happening.

Austin attempts to run up the center, and he loses a yard. George Powell is quick to growl complaints from the bleachers. I’m not calling a timeout this early in the game.

Instead, I’m standing on the sidelines, arms crossed, jaw tight as I trust Austin to follow his instincts. He goes for the center run again, and again, they’re pushed back.

We’re at fourth and goal, and Austin looks at the sideline where Levi is watching. They exchange a nod, andAustin turns to call the play. He’s got this, and I’m proud there’s no animosity between the boys.

The snap happens, and Austin falls back. Scanning the end zone from left to right, he hops on one foot as the rushers close in on him. My throat tightens, my mind on that ankle.

His face lights at once, and in a blink he fires off a pass to Rich, who’s waiting just past the goal line. It’s a little high with a slight wobble, but Rich runs back, doing a little hop and easily plucking it from the air for the score.

The visitor’s side erupts into screaming. The cheerleaders go up on their partners’ shoulders, and my gaze finds Allie.

Her smile is so big. She’s clapping and jumping up and down with my daughter right beside her, kicking her little leg and yelling for Austin.

Our eyes meet, and she stills, holding her hands in front of her mouth. With a subtle move, she presses her fingers to her lips and blows me a kiss. It’s the simplest thing, but it hits me right in the chest. A punch of pure joy.

It’s not an easy game, and every time the home team makes a touchdown or nearly intercepts a pass, I hear George growling from the stands. It almost becomes a joke, until we’re all the way to the end, with the score showing 20-21, the Trojans ahead.

My back is tight, and we have possession. As hard as Austin’s tried in the final moments, they’ve held him, leaving us with twenty-five yards to the goal and a fourth down.

He signals for the timeout, and I nod. It’s our last time out, but we don’t have time to waste. Jogging to me, he pulls off his helmet.

“Put Eddie in the game, Coach.” Austin’s tone is confident.

My chin pulls back, and I look over to where Rome is pacing, chewing his thumb and looking nervous. Edward is calm as always. He actually seems to be doing math in his head as we talk.

“Are you sure?” I meet my favorite quarterback’s eyes, and he nods.

He’s sure as sunrise, and I exhale, looking down at the turf.Zane is in the box tonight, and Buddy is on the sidelines with Garrett.

I look at Austin one more time. “Think he’s ready?”

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