Page 111 of Keep Me Never
It’s fourth quarter now and Oregon is finally making adjustments, so we change it up too, swapping me out with the running back every couple of plays, but in the end, the gain is mine.
Another pass comes my way, this one almost over my head, but I stretch up as far as my limbs will allow, yanking it in with the curve of my middle finger, the ball slamming into my chest as I come back down, cutting left, then right.
Fucking end zone, baby!
The crowd explodes.
I throw the ball into the air and run back to meet my team as they charge me with wide arms.
“Let’s fucking go!” someone shouts.
We’re going for two, the running backs taking the field, so I jog to the sidelines, sprinting sideways along it as I raise my hand, acknowledging the fans’ excitement as they try to get my attention, but there’s only one person I’m making my way toward.
She’s jumping up and down as she hugs my dad.
Fuck, the sight gets me.
He’s going to love her, maybe help heal a little part of her she lost when her own dad passed away. If anyone can do that, it will be him.
Nodding to myself, I spin around, taking the water that’s offered, and move over to my receiving coach when he waves me down, looking at the screen as he shows me the replay and what I could have done to make it even smoother. I used to think he was an unnecessary dickhead, but truth is, he’s a perfectionist. I scored but that’s not going to stop him from making corrections where he sees fit.
I guess I’ve come to appreciate it—not that I’ll tell him.
“Why are you smiling?” He frowns.
A chuckle escapes me, and I shake my head. “No reason, Coach. I got it. Extend as I push off.”
“Mm-hmm.” He blinks, jerking his head. “Go on.”
Another low laugh leaves me, and I go to stand beside Mase.
He spits water onto the turf, his helmet in his hands as we watch Brady break through their line, knocking the ball down right as their quarterback releases it.
“Way to go, my man.” Mase nods, spinning to scan the fans while I continue to watch the game. “Oh shit, Noah’s here!”
My brows jump, and I spin around, finding him standing beside Ari. “How the hell did he get through the crowd without being tackled?”
Mason laughs, shaking his head. “I know, right? He… Wait. Shit—” His eyes narrow before slicing my way.
Frowning, I scan the stands.
“Who—” I cut off instantly, spotting her.
She’s wearing an AU football T-shirt. It’s crisp, the newest design, like she just bought it at the fandom store on her way in. She has glasses pulled over her eyes as she carefully descends the steps and something inside me softens, despite myself.
Mom.
She’s…here.
My temples pulse, an array of emotions warring with my insides, happiness mixed in but followed by an instant wave of grief. I shouldn’t be happy she came, but a little part of me is. It’s been months since I’ve seen her, talked to her even. But she’s here.
My lip twitches the slightest bit, but then a hand reaches around her, and she takes a cup this hand offers.
A frown starts to build and then she shifts, a man falling in step beside her. He takes her hand, helping her down the stairs, and all the air whooshes from my lungs.
No.
No fucking way did she bringhimhere. The man who she left my dad for, who she ruined our family for, but that has to be him.
