Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 199344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 997(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 997(@200wpm)___ 797(@250wpm)___ 664(@300wpm)
He runs like his life depends on it, his feet pounding against the earth, and propelling him closer to the end zone. Then in a moment of absolute perfection, he throws himself toward the ground, the ball slamming down in the end zone as his momentum has him skidding across the field. The clock stops and the ref blows the whistle just as the crowd roars for their new champions.
“YES!” I scream as Noah launches himself to his feet, throwing the ball up in the air as his teammates barrel into him, and before his gaze can even shoot toward the stands, I’m already running.
I barge through the overfilled stands, shoulder past all the people, and hit the stairs running. When my feet strike the pavement at the bottom, I propel myself toward the field as Noah shoves past his teammates.
A horde of people push onto the field behind me, but they aren’t nearly as fast as me. I bound toward him, and he barely has time to unclip his helmet and yank it off his head before I leap into his strong arms, thread my fingers through his dark hair, and kiss him deeply.
He pants in exhaustion, and despite struggling to breathe, he gives me everything he’s got.
“You were amazing,” I tell him, grinning uncontrollably and forcing myself back. His shoulder pads aren’t exactly comfortable to squish up against, but I’ll take him any way I can get him.
“Get a room,” Liam shouts from somewhere behind Noah, but Noah just grins and brings his mouth right back to mine.
All too soon, my family and Aunt Maya crowd around us, and Noah reluctantly puts me back on my feet as they each give him their congratulations. In a matter of seconds, his teammates steal him away, and before I know it, I’m watching men in suits line up to shake his hand.
The Mambas are awarded their championship trophy, and that’s when the real celebration starts. After a while, our parents take off with Hazel, and the crowd quickly dissipates, leaving only the overexcited high-school students ready to party.
I hover by Noah’s car, but I don’t have to wait long before he’s right here with me, barreling into me, his strong arms weaving around my waist. He pulls me in tight against him and kisses me deeply before walking me right around to the passenger side of his car and opening the door for me. “I hope you’re ready for a big night,” he warns me. “We’re going to a bonfire down by the lake.”
A wide grin stretches across my face. I haven’t been to a lake party in ages. The last time I went to one, I’m pretty sure I was with Noah when I was thirteen, maybe a week or two before we lost Linc. “Can’t wait.”
Noah smiles right back at me before closing the door between us and all but skipping around to the driver’s side. He climbs in and hits the gas in seconds as the other players pull out around us.
“I can’t believe how incredible that was,” I tell him, my voice hoarse from the constant screaming.
“The guys were on fire,” he agrees, sparing me a quick glance. “But I have to tell you something.”
I watch him as he drives, one hand on the steering wheel, the other casually resting on the gearshift, and damn it, he looks so good. “Does it happen to have something to do with all those guys in suits who just had to shake your hand after the game?” I question, knowing damn well this is about the million colleges across the country who are desperate to recruit him.
“Maybe,” he tells me with a slow grin.
My eyes widen, excitement drumming through my veins. “You got an offer?”
“A few actually,” he says. “Georgia. Michigan. Ohio State. But I also got the Wildcats.”
“Wait,” I say, sitting up straighter in my seat, my gaze locked on his as he flicks his attention between me and the road. “The Wildcats are in Arizona, right? They’re only like . . . I don’t know, maybe two hours from here.”
“It was a no-brainer, Zo,” he tells me, abandoning the gearshift to take my hand. “I accepted.”
My eyes fill with tears of overwhelming happiness, knowing that his dream of playing college football is only a breath away, and not only that, but he’s still going to be close enough that we can see each other all the time. For a year at least. I’ll be filling out my application for the University of Arizona the second I can.
“Holy shit, Noah,” I say through my tears. “That’s so incredible. I’m so proud of you.”
“I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without you, Zo.”
“No, you did this one all on your own,” I tell him. “I’m not letting you give up any of the credit for that. You’re the one who put in all the hours during training and in the gym. You’re the one who impressed all the scouts and had people flying in from all over the country just to see you. But are you really sure that Arizona is what you want? You have so many amazing teams that would kill for you.”