“You need to get back to the game.” Coach looks behind me. “It starts in less than an hour. You need to be there to take my place. To guide them through. They won’t be able to win with both of us here.” Coach leans forward and starts to wheeze.
I get up by his side and pat on his back. “Are you sure? Do you want me to get a nurse?”
He waves his hand. “There’s no need for that. I’m just a little beat up right now, but I’ve taken worse hits on the field. Now, go. Go and get a win for us.” He pushes me away from his bed and toward the door.
“But…”
“No buts, David. Go. There counting on you. I’m counting on you.”
I nod and I’m out the door, running back to my car that hopefully isn’t towed by now.
I make it to the game ten minutes before it starts. I managed to call Casey on my way here and let her know what happened. She, of course, was understanding of everything and will be at the game to cheer me on.
I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect girlfriend.
I run down the tunnel toward the opening, where the team is standing. They’ve been waiting for the Coach and me. Dwayne is the first to break through the ranks.
“Where the hell have you been? And where is Coach?” He looks over my shoulder and back at me. I just shake my head.
“Coach can’t make it. He’s in the hospital.”
“He’s what?” Dwayne yells and the rest of the team huddles around me. “Is he ok? What the hell happened, David?”
“He got into a minor accident with a car.” I break into a smile. “The car lost. He wants me to lead the team tonight while he’s resting. And I need you guys to bring him a win tonight. Something to cheer him up. Does that sound like a plan?”
Everyone’s nodding their head. This is our last moment to make a name for ourselves. A moment for me to go out there and show that recruiter that I can be a pro. That I can lead a team and be one of the best quarterbacks to ever play.
“Coach Vaughn on three.” I raise my hand and they reach out. The team starts to jump around, keeping their bodies warm, and someone starts to hum. “We got this. Let’s make Coach proud. One. Two. Three. Coach Vaughn.” Our roar fills the tunnel of the stadium and we rush onto the field. The marching band starts to play and lead us in. The noise from the crowd is ear-shattering and we head to the middle of the field.
It’s now or never.
I scour the bleachers for Casey. There’s an empty spot where she should be. I fight the bad feeling that’s gnawing at the back of my mind. I need to lead my team. They need me to be strong for them.
And in the blink of any eye, it’s half time. I can barely remember most of the game. Everything is flashing lights, cheering crowd, and being knocked down to the ground. I look up at the scoreboard.
We’re only three points behind. We just need a touchdown and we’ll be back in this.
And that’s when her voice breaks through the roar of the crowd.
“David! David!” Casey is leaning over the bleachers, throwing her hands in the air to catch my attention. I run over and she throws her hands around me, giving me a quick kiss on the lips. “You can do this. I believe in you. I always did.”
My heart beats a little faster and I nod.
I can do this. A fire starts to burn inside of me and I hustle back to my team.
“Everyone huddle up.” They circle me and I push my hand into the air. “We’re only three points down. We’ve come back from much worse. Let’s go out there and make Coach proud.”
“Damn straight,” Dwayne yells and throws his head back to cheer. “This ain’t nothing, baby. We got this.” He throws his head up next to mine.
“Coach on three. One. Two. Three. Coach!” The team roars, almost stunning the crowd with our ferocity. We rush to the middle of the field and get in formation.
The last two quarters are nothing but a bloodbath. We trade points back and forth with the other time. They take the lead by a couple points. And then we get the ball back and score.
It’s not until the last two minutes of the game when I run the clock and send a throw down field to Dwayne. Dwayne leaps into the air and catches it over his opponent before dropping into the end zone. And that’s when all hell breaks loose.
The marching band starts to play our school song. Students, teachers, and alumni jump over the bleachers and charge the field. I fall to the ground, overcome with relief and happiness. Until a hand pulls on my shoulder pads.
“Lester Fleming,” the man quickly introduces himself as a pack of students rush toward me. “Professional league recruiter. Expect a call from me in the next couple days.” The man winks at me before melding into the crowd.
My mouth drops. Just like that, my future is set in stone. I get a chance to play in the pros. A chance to be one of the best. A chance to do what most dream about.
And yet, it matters so little to me. So little compared to the person who’s breaking through the crowd. So little compared to the girl who holds my heart.
“Casey.” I throw my hands around her and hug her tight. Even through my uniform, I can feel the beat of her heart. Those blue eyes look up at me and I’m lost just, like the first time she bumped into me. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She gives me a peck on the lips before she pulls away. “And I have a surprise for you.”
I’m confused. I don’t know if my heart can take any more surprises today. With Coach’s accident, barely winning the most important game of my life, and Lester Fleming talking to me, I don’t know how much more I can take.
“I know the results for your last final.” She looks coyly at me.
“And? You can’t keep me waiting like this. Did I pass or not?”
“You not only passed. You got a 94.” She throws herself at me and I catch her petite body in my arms. She kisses my cheeks and every part of my face. “I’m so proud of you, David. I knew that you could do it.”
And in this moment, I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with Casey Boone. A girl like her only comes into a guy’s life once. She’s everything that I could possibly want and more.
And there’s no way that I am ever letting her go.
Not now. Not ever.
Epilogue (One year later)
CASEY
I blow on my cup of tea and walk into the backyard. Casper runs between my legs as he sees something across the yard. His head swivels and looks up into the trees, locking on the pesky squirrel that loves to tease him.
“You can’t just be running between my legs like that, Casper.” I sit down at the small bench at the back of the yard. It’s the best seat in the place. I get to look up at the small house that David and I have bought. The shade from the oak tree is the best here in the blistering Texas heat and lets me read without the intense shine of the sun. The chorus of cicadas sounds through the air and gives me a warm feeling inside.
I can’t believe how much has changed in a year. David took a football contract in Texas and I came straight here after I finished my studies. We’ve been together for over a year and everything couldn’t be going better. We’ve even managed to buy ourselves a small home. Smaller than most expected, with David’s million-dollar contract, but perfect for us. Something cozy, which means that we’ll always be close together. A home that’s big enough for us and Casper. I couldn’t leave him behind. We, of course, got another dog for Coach Vaughn once we left.
While David travels for all of his games, I’ve been keeping myself busy at home. I’ve become a full-time author. Writing has always been a passion of mine. Something that I’ve always wanted to try. I use my history degree to weave worlds of mystery and wonder for the children’s books that I write. David has been supportive all the way, even helping me come up with the names for characters.
“Are you sure you don’t want to take a break and join me?” I shout across the yard. David has been out here all day. He’s been running drills and throwing his football, getting ready
for the next upcoming match. His dedication to his work is something that always amazes me. And even though he’s busier than ever, he still takes the time to surprise me. Last week, he surprised me with a couple’s retreat in the mountains. Just both of us, away from everything and everyone.
David jogs from the front of the house and sits down next to me. Sweat trickles down the side of his face and I fight the urge to lick it off. It’s been over a year and I still can’t keep my hands off him. No matter how hard that I try. Not that I try too hard. And he loves the attention that I give him.
Casper trots toward me and brings his head down. There’s something in his mouth. A small black box.
“Casper, what is that?” I reach out and grab it out of his mouth. He shakes his head and blows his nose in retaliation, but relents when something catches his eye. Some force grabs at my heart.
The box is no bigger than a cellphone. It has black leather all around it with small gold lettering on top. Initials that I recognize from somewhere, but I can’t remember where. I open it, and my heart nearly jumps out of my mouth.
The biggest diamond ring that I’ve ever seen stares back at me. The rays from the sun catch it perfectly in the middle, making it shine brighter than a star in the midnight sky. With a trembling hand, I pull it out of the box. I’m almost speechless.
“David, what is this?” I turn toward him, except he’s not next to me. Instead, he’s kneeling on the ground. Those green eyes of his glisten almost as bright as the diamond.
“Casey, will you-”
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” I throw myself at him and we both fall to the ground. Our lips lock together and he squeezes me tight. “A thousand times yes,” I whisper and push my head into his chest. David rests his head on mine and runs his hand down my back.
And neither of us say another word. We lay there in our backyard for what seems like forever. Neither of us wanting to break the moment.
Not now. Not ever.
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Daddy's College Roommate: Bad Boy and Virgin Forbidden Romance Page 32
