“So, are you going to sleep with Sean?” she asked, not even easing me into it. I spit a little soda through my nose as I choked.

“I’m sorry?” I responded with shock.

“You’ve been going out for a few months now, I just figured maybe you were going to or already have,” she continued putting lotion on as if this conversation was no big deal.

“Hmm,” I paused. “Well, we haven’t. And I don’t know. I’m a little… old fashioned, I guess?”

She smiled with a little giggle, winked at me and stood up to walk over to Reed at the outside bar. I watched her in awe of her confidence and maturity. She put her arm around Buck, laughing at something he said. I would never be able to have that relationship with him, and I was stunned by it. I still hadn’t brought Sean over to meet my parents. Mostly because I didn’t like people seeing my house, especially when they lived in the big ranch houses and wouldn’t have the same appreciation of my dad’s hand-built BBQ and porch swing.

I saw Sean across the pool and decided to let myself try to fall a little more in love with him. I walked around the pool and put my arms around his neck, making a pouty face at his root beer, which of course he gave to me immediately. He stared at me as I drank for a few seconds and then all of a sudden, a flash of concern washed over his face. “Oh my gosh, put that down, hurry!” He was so urgent, I dropped the can in the grass afraid there was a bee on the can or something. Without missing a beat, Sean swung his arms under my legs and lifted me up, running full force at the pool and jumping, taking both of us in. I screamed when we hit the water from the chill and grabbed the clip from my hair, dunking my head back to get my hair clear of my eyes.

“You!” I teased, splashing him in the face. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me, then stopped and looked me in the eyes. “You’re so god damned beautiful.” Then he kissed me again, and a hint of butterflies took over in my chest.

The first game of the season was packed more than normal. We were starting the season with a rematch against Valley Christian and the entire town wanted revenge. Sarah had taken over the task of sneaking us in, easily manipulating the freshman boys working the snack bar into opening the gate for us. We found a spot in the stands near the press box and I saw Buck sitting with a few older men just a few rows down. Feeling confident I walked down and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Mr. Johnson? I’m Nolan, we’ve met a few times. I’m friends with…” he cut me off immediately and grabbed my hand with a shake and brought me in for a hug. “Of course, Nolan. I remember you. How you been? You should come by the house more – my son seems to get better grades when you’re around,” he laughed. I smiled back and nodded as I headed back to my seat, not truly sure what he meant. Reed’s GPA was almost as high as mine, in fact I think I was number two in our class and he was number three or four. Shrugging it all off, I took my seat.

“Those are scouts,” Tatum whispered in my ear as she sat down behind me. “They aren’t supposed to be here yet, but they’re personal friends with Buck, so that’s how he gets away with it.”

I smiled with wide eyes, a little uncomfortable knowing that much information. I turned my attention back to the field for the rest of the game. Sean made two amazing catches in the end zone to score their first 14 points of the half. I worked to keep my focus on Sean and was excited when I caught his eyes as he took his helmet off and turned to face the crowd as they ran in for half time. His smile stretched his entire face and then he blew a quick kiss before taking off. I was blushing when I caught a glimpse of Reed’s eyes as well. They looked… troubled. I wasn’t sure why, but I wanted to fix whatever it was.

The Bears ended up winning 21 to 7 and everyone was pumped to celebrate. I had promised Sean I would go to the desert party with him, so I rode with Calley, Sarah and Sienna. We sat on the hood of the car watching the dust fill the air as the various headlights highlighted it through the desert brush. The smell of alcohol started to fill the air in an instant and I pulled out my own cooler, better prepared than I was last year.

Sienna and I clicked our water bottles together in tradition as the first trucks of players started pulling in. Sean was in the back of Cole’s pickup truck and jumped over the side as soon as it stopped, running over to me and picking me up and carrying me through the middle of the lot and into the desert brush. “Sorry, super hyper and couldn’t wait to see you,” he smiled. “Did you see that game? I was good, right?”