Close but incredible. We’re ahead twenty-five to twenty against Clemson, the only other undefeated team in the country, in the last regular season game before the playoffs.
I start to bite my thumbnail, but Baylee slaps it out of my mouth. “No. Friends don’t let friends ruin a great manicure.”
Holding up my hand, I smile. It’s just white polish, but it looks pretty. “I did do a nice job. Thanks for helping me.”
She brought me supplies and showed me how to use everything. Apparently, I was applying too much at once, which is why I always smudged it before it dried.
I point to the sideline. “Look at Paige go. She’s amazing.” I watch my friend flip up on top of a guy who holds her up by one leg. She lifts the other up to her head. “If I did that, my girl parts would tear in two.”
Baylee laughs as she waggles her brows. “Since we’re on the subject of getting torn in two, how are things going with Nick? Any closer to staying in town second semester?”
I avoid talking about my sex life because there’s no way I’m sharing that with anyone. Though, for the record, it’s the best sex I’ve ever had. I squirm on my seat, a little sore from our antics last night. “We had a great Thanksgiving dinner this week, and of course, he gave me tickets to today’s game along with this jersey.”
“Oh, wow. I didn’t realize he gave you the jersey with his number. Girl!”
We giggle.
But then I sigh. “Unfortunately, he hasn’t said anything about plans after the holidays, so I’ve decided to bite the bullet and ask him. I know he wants to focus on football, but he has a month between this game and the playoffs, so I don’t think asking what he wants to do will put too much pressure on him. Besides, I need to apply for teaching jobs. I’ve been putting it off, but I can’t do that much longer. I need to know if I should apply here or in San Antonio.”
“Are there jobs teaching second semester?”
“There are always maternity leaves.” At least, according to my parents. “I can substitute-teach if I have to. What about you and Maverick? Any closer to wrangling that boy into submission?”
Baylee rolls her eyes as she points to a cheerleader on the sideline. “My sources say she’s the flavor of the month.”
I hug her. “We need to find you someone who appreciates you.” Mav is handsome, but as someone who dated a grade-A player, I know the heartache isn’t worth it.
The whistle blows, kicking off the third quarter, and we scream when the Broncos charge out onto the field.
By the fourth quarter, both teams have scored, except one of our receivers fumbled a pass, and Clemson scooped it up and ran it in for a touchdown, so now it’s thirty-two to thirty-four with less than two minutes remaining. We have possession and the time to score, but the teams are so evenly matched, nothing is guaranteed.
I press a clammy hand to my forehead.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Baylee asks. “You’re paler than usual.”
“It’s so close, I might puke.”
She slurps up the rest of her soda and hands me the empty container. “There’s ice in there. Press it to your face to cool off.”
I shouldn’t be overheated. It’s fifty degrees, according to the jumbotron.
“Thank you.” I just know how important it is to Nick to end the season strong. Sports commentators tore him up last year, questioning his consistency, questioning his abilities, questioning whether he has what it takes to win a championship.
So even though he’s been incredible this year, I wonder how much of a toll those critics have taken on him.
I hold my breath for the first snap. Nick dodges a defender as he checks his options, but he’s out of time because Clemson is rushing. He manages to break free and pass the ball just before he’s tackled.
The ball sails through the air toward Dax, who’s on the twenty-yard line. He has two defenders on top of him. His arm stretches up, and he catches it.
“Oh my God!” I shout as Baylee and I and seventy thousand other people freak out.
Dax somehow manages to stay on his feet and run it in for a touchdown.
I hug Baylee when we make the extra point. There’s still time on the clock, but the Bronco defense keeps them from gaining any momentum until the clock runs out.
When it’s over and I’m done screaming my head off, I let out a sigh of relief. The Broncos are undefeated.
Which means tonight is the perfect time to talk about plans in the new year.
