Redemption

SAFETY PINNING THE PIECES OF MY BROKEN HEART

The crowd of fans started lessening. It went from being packed with rowdy people to friends and family gathering to celebrate. Some of them were in jerseys, some of them with headsets around their necks, thanking each other for their efforts. Everyone grateful for a win against a team that hasn't happened in over seven years. A rivalry trophy finally brought home.

My brother is laughing with Joey as they talked to a few players near the goal post, but my eyes were searching for the tight end, and I wouldn't stop until I found number eighty-seven.

Then I found him. In the middle of the field, standing on the logo, flipping the game-winning ball into the air. His eyes were focused on the empty stands, staring at whatever it was he's staring at. Only then did I wonder about his family and where they were tonight. Is Carter from Iowa City or was his family unable to come?

"You stuck around."

I turned away from the man who looked all too lonely surrounded by teammates and friends to find Tory standing beside me with a lopsided grin on his face. He shook his blonde hair. The curly strands once stuck to his forehead were now bouncing back and forth before finding a resting spot to where he pushed them back.

"You won."

"I didn't expect you to uphold your end of the bet," he shrugged. "I'm happy you did."

"Good evening, Sawyer."

Carter rested an arm on Tory's shoulder, the corner of his lips tipping upward. The game winning ball is tucked beneath his arm, his feet crossed, and grass stains all over his jersey. Pieces of his chocolate brown hair are stuck to his forehead. He's sweating. He looks exhausted but alive.

"Hi, Carter."

"How'd I do?"

The blonde boy didn't stick around. He walked away before I could answer as if he knew this conversation was meant to be between me and Carter only.

"Horrible," I sighed. "I don't know much, but I know you did it all wrong."

"Which means your eyes were on me all night, yeah?" I watched him swipe his tongue across his bottom lip.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, C.J."

"C.J? Is that my new nickname?"

"Do you want it to be?"

Carter stepped forward, his voice deepening. "You can call me whatever you want, Sawyer."

My toes curled into the soles of my shoes as I stood beneath his gaze, trying to ground myself before I caught on fire. Our conversation didn't last long, and I was as upset as I was relieved. I didn't know how to handle him or really men at all. I didn't know what Carter was trying to do or why Tory wanted me to stay after the game. I had my ideas, but I didn't have clear answers.

"How about dinner?" Cade, the quarterback, suggested. "We could celebrate at Doozie's or go out."

The series of yeses filled the air. I didn't plan on going out. I don't think I ever would, but everyone turned to me for an answer, and when I gave it, no one made me feel bad. They accepted it.

"Don't ever feel pressured," Joey gave me a reassuring smile. "I'll give you a ride home, okay?"

"I'll take her," Carter dismissed the idea. "I planned on calling it a night anyways. Levitt's last hit got me good, and the adrenaline is starting to wear off."

"Come on," Tory groaned. "You always go out."

"I can't be the life of the party all the time," the brown-eyed boy's eyes found mine. "I need to change and grab my stuff from the locker room. Wait here. Okay?"