Page 37 of Love On Time

It’s another crisp autumn Friday night under the deep indigo sky. With fans cheering in the bleachers, bugs swarming beneath the beaming spotlights, the smell of popcorn wafting through the air, and the cheerleaders chanting from the sidelines. It’s the exact high that gets my blood pumping every single week, but tonight is different. We’re playing our crosstown rivals, and they’ve cultivated a lethal roster this year.

“Alright, guys, let's huddle up!” I shout, waving my arms as the team pulls in tight, forming a circle around me. “This is a big night for all of us. As always, do not look at that scoreboard. Trust the teammate standing next to you, and let's show these guys who's boss.” The huddle erupts in roaring shouts. A sharp whistle echoes across the field. It’s go time.

We are almost at halftime, and our teams are neck and neck. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see the UCLA scout standing over by the benches, engaging in conversation with our coach and the athletic director in the distance. I’ve managed to block out the noise and keep my focus entirely on the play clock. But with only a few seconds remaining in the second quarter, their quarterback finds a weak spot in our secondary and connects for a touchdown, leaving them slightly ahead.

The buzzer sounds, and we exit the field, pouring back into the humid locker room. A few guys pat me on the shoulder pads, but I can feel a low buzz of nerves starting to take over.

“Hey, look at me! We’ve got this!” Cooper suddenly shouts. He stands on the metal benches, taking over the pep talk so I can catch my breath. I am incredibly grateful for him at this exact moment. “They ain't shit, guys! They don't have what we have. We aren't just a team out there—we are goddamn brothers.” I can't help but smile as the tension drains from my shoulders. The rest of the locker room screams, “Hell yeah!” before we all collide in a massive group huddle.

We’re just about to head back through the tunnel onto the field when I slide over to my locker and pull out my phone. A single unread text message from Cami flashes on the screen.

Cami

Hey, you. Looking good out there, remember you got this :)

A smile breaks across my face. I tuck the phone safely back into the metal locker, slam the door shut, and spin the lock. My head is finally where it needs to be.

Less than a minute remains on the clock, and both teams are deadlocked in a tie. This last play determines the win. The whole stadium is out of their seats, screaming, locked into the intensity of the game.

We line up on the scrimmage line, getting in position for the final play. My ears start to ring as the stress invades my senses. I glance past the sidelines to where the marching band sits, not too far away, and instinctively find Cami’s eyes in the crowd. She catches my stare and smiles, giving me an encouraging nod.

That is all it takes for the noise to fade into the background and ground me back into focus.

Our team works together to execute a seamless play. I catch the ball from our quarterback and sprint to the end zone, securing the last touchdown. I throw the ball to the ground as exhilaration pumps through me. The entire home crowd goes wild, the stadium erupting as the guys flood around me, screaming and throwing their helmets into the air.

After the chaotic whirlwind of the celebration finally subsides, I walk to the end of the field, where Coach Jay is standing next to the UCLA scout, both of them clapping.

“Well done, son!” Coach says, patting me firmly on the shoulder pads. “I’d like to introduce you to Jack, the lead recruiter for UCLA.”

I reach out my hand, gripping his firmly. “It’s an honor to meet you, sir. Thank you so much for coming out tonight.”

“You played an incredible game, Drew,” Jack says, offering a wide, impressed smile. “I look forward to being in touch with you very soon.”

I am on an absolute high. Tonight could not have possibly gone better. A close, high-stakes game actually worked in my favor, showing how I handle a massive amount of pressure on the field.

An hour later, the parking lot has emptied. Cooper ran off to be with Ivy, and the rest of the team headed to the beach to celebrate the win. I’m left alone, standing at the fifty-yard line of the empty, quiet field. A cool breeze rustles red and orange leaves around me, sending a chill down my spine. I just want to take in this moment, burn every single second of it into my memory.

“Hey,” a small voice belonging to my favorite person calls out from behind me. I turn around, a huge smile breaking across my face the second I see her standing there. She’s changed out of her band uniform and into her grey oversized hoodie and leggings. I don't even hesitate. I step forward, grabbing her securely by the thighs and lifting her straight into the air. Cami laughs softly, wrapping her legs tightly around my waist as I pull her flush against my chest, capturing her lips in a deep, breathless kiss.

CHAPTER 13

Drew

7 YEARS AGO

It’s the last day of our first semester and the start of winter break. After the brutal stress of finals, I’m finally ready for a break from school. The last bell rings through the loudspeaker.

“Have a good Holiday Break, everyone!” Mrs. Johnson yells over the roar of teenagers rushing out of her classroom.

I meet Cooper, Ivy, and Cami at my car and we all pile in to head home.

“Did you guys hear Alex is throwing a huge New Year's Eve party at his parents' beach house?” Cooper asks the second we pull out of the student parking lot. “We have to go!”

“Sounds fun to me!” Ivy says, smiling up at Cooper from the back seat. “As long as Cami can come with us, of course.”

Cami’s head snaps up from her phone, darting her eyes to Ivy. “I don’t know. That sounds like a bit much.” She mutters, anxiously biting her lower lip.

Cami struggles with social anxiety when she’s in crowded places. I don't blame her. It's not exactly my favorite thing either, but she gets especially panicked if she feels trapped somewhere without a clear way to leave.