Page 57 of Quarterback Sneak
“Did he get it?” Tessa screams.
I can’t answer because I can’t find any oxygen. I just watch the refs. And when collectively, they raise their arms, the entire arena erupts.Touchdown!I scream with the thousands of fans all around me and watch as Zane runs towards Quint. Their team huddles in the end zone, celebrating. I look up at the scoreboard; we’re still one point behind. I wait for the field goal unit to come out but watch as Zane and the O-line gather.
“They’re going for a two-point conversion,” Tessa hollers over the noise.
“If we miss it,” I start, shaking my head.
“Then the game is over, and we lose.”
It’s a risky move, not one that I would take. But I’m not a football coach or player. I wait with bated breath as we line up once more. The stadium quiets just until the ball is snapped, then it comes to life. Zane takes his regular two or three steps back and looks for an opening. The crowd seems to hold its breath once again. There’s nobody open. Zane can see it; I can see it. The entire stadium can see it. He tucks the ball and runs.Dejuan runs next to him, shoving off players that come at him; and Zane runs into the endzone.Score!
The fireworks go off, and the stadium explodes. I scream along with everybody else, waving my towel. I can’t keep the smile off my face as they rerun the play over and over again. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and pull it out, still grinning. I frown at the number I don’t recognize.
Unknown number-Evie, this is Reid. Zane gave me your number. He wants to know if you want to meet up with him after the game.
I think about it for a moment. “What is it?” Tessa yells. I show her the message. “What’s there to think about? Go!”
I laugh and text Reid.
Me-sure
Reid-okay, I’ll come get you
I pocket my phone. “Reid’s going to come get me and take me...somewhere.”
Tessa’s grinning from ear to ear. “Maybe a kiss for the quarterback?”
I shake my head. “Not yet.” I don’t bother telling her I haven’t exactly broken up with Jace yet, even though I’ve tried. I push those thoughts from my mind as the crowd around us begins to disperse.
“Evie.”
I turn and see Reid standing at the end of our row. He waves me over and suddenly, a wave of nerves hit me. “Just go; don’t think about it,” Tessa says. I walk over to where Reid’s waiting, somber as he always is. He doesn’t say a word as he starts down the steps, and I follow him and concentrate on not falling and making a fool of myself. We go down, down, down. I didn’t realize how high up I was. When we get closer to the field, Reid turns to the left, and I finally catch up to him. “Am I allowed to go back here?”
“Yes,” Reid says without looking back.
I follow him until we come to an exit. He walks out into an area where there’s already a bunch of people gathered. I relax a little when I see the crowd. I find a place off to the side to wait, and Reid stands next to me, close but not touching. I glance up at him and take in how tall he is. I don’t know that I’ve ever stood right next to him. He just has the look of a basketball player. The first players come out to a cheer from the gathered crowd, and I watch as they get swallowed up. I wait as a few more players make their exit, and then suddenly, there he is. My breath catches as Zane walks out with a duffel bag over his shoulder. He oozes masculinity with his hair wet from what must have been a really fast shower. He’s wearing athletic pants and a Barracudas t-shirt that stretches over his muscles and looks like it’s being tested for its endurance. He doesn’t even scan the crowd; his eyes fall right on me, as if he knew where I was all along. My heart races in my chest, and I feel like my smile might make my face crack because it’s so wide. I take a step towards him, but before I can go any further, a hand tugs on my arm. I turn in surprise, and the smile drops from my face.
“Jace.”
Before I can even take a breath, he tugs me towards him, holding me firmly against his chest. His lips touch mine, and it’s only absolute shock that keeps me immobile a moment. I try to squirm, but he bites my lip, causing me to cry out. He’s thrown off of me, and a furious Zane steps in front of me, pushing me behind him. I lose my balance and grab hold of his shirt. He reaches one arm behind him to steady me and grabs the front of Jace’s shirt with the other hand. Other students are starting to take notice of what’s going on, and panic fills me.
Chapter 25
Zane
I stare down at this worthless piece of trash and do my best not to kill him where he stands. Not only did he grab my mate and put his lips on hers, he hurt her. I heard her cry out in pain. I’m shaking with adrenaline as I try to keep my wolf under control. “Don’t touch her,” I say around fangs that have already dropped in preparation to defend our mate, to kill for her.
“Or what?” Jace says in a low voice. He steps closer to me. “Why don’t you give everybody watching a show? Show them who you really are.” I suck in a breath, trying to use my iron-clad control to keep from slipping in front of the students who are very invested in what’s going on right now. I grit my teeth and manage a small step back. I feel Evie right behind me, and she grounds me. I can’t lose it in front of her and scare her. “You backing off so soon?” Jace taunts. He steps towards me, so that we’re chest to chest. “You not going to defend your mate?” his words are soft, and yet I hear them. Every muscle in my body goes still. “If you’re not going to claim her, I will; and I’ll thoroughly enjoy corrupting her and touching every part of that soft—” I grab him and yank him close as rage courses through me.
“Zane. Let him go; he’s not worth this.” I feel a hand on my back. Her touch and voice are the only thing that could have called me back. I shove him away from me and turn. My eyes lock on her bottom lip that’s bleeding.
Reid puts a hand on my shoulder. “Just let it go.”
I fling his arm off and watch as Evie’s eyes widen. I struggle to breathe; I can’t contain my rage. I want to shift and kill him. All I can see is the drop of blood on her lip.My precious mate, and I didn’t keep her safe.I’m aware of the fact that she takes a step back, but I can’t control my rage. It’s all-consuming.
From somewhere far away, I hear my best friend’s voice. “Evie.” His voice is so low, it’s almost inaudible to human ears. “Can you give him a hug, just to let him know you’re okay? Please?” Reid’s voice sounds different, but I can’t focus on it right now. I feel my nails turn into claws, and my spine cracks. I relish the feel of my wolf rising. He’s powerful and dominant.Everyone will know that Evie is our mate. We will protect her and defend her against anyone that would hurt her. We’ll take her far from here and make sure she is safe and happy and fed and...Arms close around me, and my mate’s scent hits me hard. I wrap my arms around her small body instinctively.
“It’s all right, Zane. I’m okay. Everything's all right.”
