Page 42 of Kickoff

The crowd erupted in applause as we won the game. Twenty-eight to eighteen.

School had resumed a month ago, and so far, we were having a perfect season. I congratulated the boys, hugging them. Paige ran on the field, and my brother caught her. Geez, these two. It was hard to imagine that two years ago, Paige was this shy girl, never standing out, and always ignoring the football team whenever we would walk by her.

“One hell of a game,” I told Sheldon, inching closer and bumping his fist.

“I swear, man, that last hit stole all the oxygen from me. For a second, I thought the guy’s elbow had punctured my lungs.”

“They put up more of a fight than I anticipated. Much better team than last year.” I wiped the sweat grazing my hairline with my sleeve. “We underestimated their defensive line.”

“Yeah. Well, I’m glad we still kicked their asses and showed them who the real champs are.”

“Keep your cockiness for when we win State, man. Being humble is a great quality. You should try it.”

“I’m Sheldon Cocky Rice, man. Humble isn’t my middle name.” He laughed with his head tilted back, turning his attention to Rusty. “Hey man. Wait for me.” He jogged away, leaving me all by myself.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Paige and Craig still busy whispering love promises to each other, lost in their own world, with her looking so small against his giant, uniformed self right now.

“Awesome. We could—” my brother said before I interrupted him, jumping between them and forcing them apart. Paige landed on her feet and poked her tongue out at me.

“How is it going, lovers?” I said, making kissing sounds with my mouth and draping my arms around their shoulders, ignoring her grimace.

“Get lost, man,” Craig said, pushing me back with a hand on the side of my chest.

A loud laugh broke free. “Sorry. You’re my ride to the party tonight. And making out in the middle of the field on school property is super gross.” I made an exaggerated puking sound. “I thought you two knew better.”

“Wow, look who’s talking. Mr. Making Out At All The Wrong Places. Anyway, you should take a night off. Cool down. Learn to be by yourself from time to time.”

“Thanks for your concern, though.” I clapped his shoulder. “Big brother, don’t worry about me. After tonight’s win, the girls expect me to be there. They will all beg to kiss me and make it better.” I pointed to the scratch covering my right arm from elbow to mid-forearm that I got after being tackled minutes into the game. I hated every word leaving my mouth, yet I spoke them like I meant them, as if I thought I was being funny.

“That ego,” Paige said, chuckling. “Mase, you’re a lot, you know that, right?”

I puffed my chest out. “I’m Elk River High’s best quarterback in their history. I’m just playing the part, babe.” I winked and rubbed her cheek with a finger. “Girls love a confident man.”

My brother sighed. “Don’t babe my girlfriend, loser.”

“Don’t be jealous I’m the better-looking sibling, bro—we already agreed on that—and the most successful one with the ladies. Anyway, I have my eyes on a girl.”

“Just one?” Craig asked with a frown.

“Who is she?” Interest brightened Paige’s eyes. “Do we know her? Is she a student at Elk River High?”

“Paige, are you ready?” Melinda asked, dangling her car keys, as she neared us, interrupting the interrogation. I thanked her mentally for her sick sense of timing.

At the sight of her, dressed in a maxi denim skirt with a slit at the front and a white long-sleeved top, my heart froze in my chest. Melinda Shepard had no idea how beautiful she was, which made her even more alluring.

These days, our interactions were friendlier than they’d been in years, but I still felt unsettled around her.

“Hello, my favorite patient,” I greeted her, beckoning her with a finger. “Come here.” She moved closer, and I pulled her into something almost resembling a hug. She fit perfectly at my side. I filled my nostrils with the sweet scent of her orange blossom shampoo. Letting go of her, I kept her close, an arm around her waist. “Let’s leave these two to their tongue play.” With my chin, I motioned to my brother who was back with Paige in his arms, his tongue down her throat. “Ugh, we don’t need to see their tonsils. It’s disturbing.” I steered us in the opposite direction. “Tell me something, Mel. Why aren’t you begging to kiss me after tonight’s win?” I waggled my eyebrows, with a smirk pasted on. “I played amazingly, don’t you agree? Go ahead, shower me with praise. I’m used to being idolized by the ladies.”

She nudged my ribcage. “Oh Mase, you wish. I have to admit you did great tonight, though.”

“It’s okay if you’re not ready to kiss me yet. I won’t hold it against you this time around. As long as you can admit how wonderful I am, though. We’re almost family, you and I, and honesty is a value families share.”

“We’re almost family? Care to explain it to me?”

“Paige and you are joined at the hip, and she’s dating my brother…or should I say she’s almost married to my brother by the looks of it… So, you and I, extended family, see? Super simple.”

“It’s really not a stretch. You are almost right.” She chuckled, and I joined her.