“What the hell is he doing?” Alexa asks laughing.
“I have no idea when it comes to him.” Landon looks to me then to Madison and shakes his head before spinning her back into Cash’s waiting arms.
“Oh hell.” Alexa squeals.
Landon and Steven stop before us and each hold out a hand to us. They bring us in to the center of the gym.
I bite on my bottom lip before Landon pulls it free. “I can’t believe you pulled me out here.”
He buries his face in my neck and the lights dim.
“Landon, what the hell is going on?” I want to run out of the gym and never show my face again.
“Go with it, babe.” Landon slaps me on the ass and “Teach Me How To Dougie” comes on. I’m going to kill Madison for not giving me a warning about this shit.
The guys attempt to teach us how to play football. And I use the word attempt lightly. They basically just said go with whatever feels right and we did.
Madison took Cash’s role as quarterback, I took Landon’s as wide receiver and Alexa took Steven’s as running back.
We huddle up and wrap our arms around each other like we’ve seen the boys do so many times. “Macy run down to the other end of the gym, I’m throwing you the ball.”
My eyes go wide, “I can’t catch a ball to save my life.”
She gives me an evil smile, “Landon will make it worth it if you do.”
I glance over my shoulder and Landon winks at me. Damn her!
“Fine.”
“Break.” Madison yells and laughs. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”
Alexa and I take our positions with the guys as our opponents. Mikey’s a tackle for the team and he hikes the ball to Madison as I take off running down to the other side of the gym. I look back at the perfect time and catch the ball.
Landon is right there when I catch it. “Holy shit,” he says stunned.
The crowd goes insane screaming and cheering. Madison, Alexa, Steven, and Cash run over to us.
The gym goes black, “How ‘bout them boys?” Coach asks and the gym once again erupts in cheers.
Madison bumps her hip with Landon’s, “You owe me twenty bucks.”
My mouth drops open, “You bet against me?”
Landon smirks, “Never, baby.” Before I can respond he kisses me and slips my sister her twenty dollars.
Coach looks down to the floor before he looks up and says, “Thanks to the trio for the special show.” He eyes Landon like he wants to say something but thinks better of it.
Steven, Cash and Landon yell, “You’re welcome.” And the crowd laughs.
“Is everyone fired up for this game or what?”
The whole student body goes wild.
Coach laughs. “I’ve coached here at Canby for the last twenty years and this team, this group of players is one of the best I’ve ever had with an undefeated season heading into the championship game. We need a great seed like we have right here for tomorrow’s game and I will assure you the boys will play and win the championship game tomorrow.”
Everyone stands and cheers.
Landon turns me to him, “I love you, baby.” Landon reaches into his pocket and pulls out the note from earlier and kisses it all the while watching me. He’s totally tuned everything around him out and it’s just the two of us in this gym. I wink at him letting him know that I understand what he’s doing. He’s keeping the tradition, ensuring that he keeps everything the same so they win tomorrow’s game.
Coach finishes his speech and repeats his promise to win tomorrow’s game. And the crowd goes wild.
After the pep rally, we have about an hour left of school. None of us can concentrate. I’m not sure anyone in school did today. When school finally let out, the boys had to head to Portland. Alexa, Madison and I make our way to the cars. “So where are we going?” Alexa asks.
Madison looks to me and I shrug my shoulders.
“I guess we’ll go to Mario’s Pizza Shop.” Madison suggests.
“Sounds good to me.” I say.
The guys left with the rest of the starters for tomorrow’s game to go check out the field. They said that they’d meet us at Alexa’s house later tonight.
I drive with Madison since we took her car and Alexa follows behind us. “So, what did you think of their performance?”
I laugh. “It was freaking amazing but I’m pissed at you.” My laugh turns into a glare. “Why couldn’t you give me a heads up about being involved?”
Madison cocks her head, “Really? You wanted me to tell you so you wouldn’t do it?”
She’s got a point. There was no way in hell I would have done that if I’d known ahead of time. I’m too shy and hate to be put in the spotlight. “Doesn’t matter, you still should have told me.”