One of the Guys

Chapter 26: If You Can't Convince Them Uh..

Cecelia's POV:
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"Alright, you beat the Tigers Tuesday. You're going to beat the Lions today! We are at the end of overtime, and we have a fourth down. A few yards away from a touchdown. Have fun out there, but get the job done," Coach yells at us.

We disperse to get a drink, and I flop down on the bench. I'm exhausted. From school, to practice, games, and working on the house, I feel like I don't have time to think. Angelo said we would most likely have the house done in a week. The roof will be done tonight, they finished the plumbing, and they have to plaster the walls. After that, we have to put the flooring in, paint the walls, and furniture.

"I hope you aren't thinking too hard," Ashton says as he sits down and bumps his shoulder against mine.

"Hardly," I joke.

He smiles, and we both look out at the field. "You know, I was thinking."

"That's new," I interrupt.

"Alright smartass, I'm serious. How about I cook dinner tonight?" He asks with a boyish grin that makes me giggle.

"What? Is there something on my face?" He asks and frantically wipes at his face.

My giggle turns into full blown laughter at him. He stops what he's doing and playfully glares at me. "Why were you laughing at me?"

"No, no. I was laughing with you," I assure him.

"Well, I wasn't laughing. So, you were laughing at me," he points out.

"It was a fond laugh, I promise."

I smile at him in assurance. He laughs and shakes his head before continuing, "I'm serious. I will make dinner tonight. After "work" of course," he pauses and gives me a suggestive smirk. "Only if I get something in return."

I raise my eyebrows and scoff. "What would that be?"

"Let me sleepover," he isn't really asking.

"That better be a pretty damn good dinner," I warn.

"You know it will be," he say before looking around and leaning to my ear. "I kind of really want to kiss you."

"Kind of?" I question.

"I lied, a bunch."

I look at the clock before teasingly looking up at him. "Game time, sorry. Another time?"

He growls playfully before helping me up. I slide my helmet on and take a deep breath. I can feel the nervous jitters and I get excited. Coach blows his whistle and we all huddle up. I make eye contact with each player and they nod.

"We have one chance to do this. We fail and we go into double overtime. That's what they want and we aren't going to let them have it. Are we?" I ask.

"No," they yell in response.

"Good. I can tell you all a play, but we are so close that I'm not sure it would matter. I need all my wide receivers open. I need as many people open as possible. Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

"Game time. Panthers on three."

"One, two, three. Panthers!"

We run out on the field and line up. I hear their team mocking ours, but they can't shake us. I put my hands out and sweep my eyes over the area one last time. I call the play, which is a last second made up name, and Nate snaps it.

It lands perfectly in my hands and I grip it. I take a few steps back, narrowly missing a guy. I scan my eyes for an opening, but I don't see one. I feel the pressure of the clock running down on us and I start to panic. I scan once more and I finally see someone.