Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Sutton.
Somehow, I knew he would break free, that he would be open. It was kind of perfect that we ended our high school football career this way. Two best friends. The Terrible Twosome. Thunder and Lightning.
I cocked my arm back, let the ball fly. It felt like it all happened in slow motion, that time stopped for this moment, the whole field and stands quiet as everyone watched the most incredible pass fall right into Sutton’s arms.
He took off, showcasing the speed he was known for, dodging the few players who could almost catch up with him. He was lightning quick, and before I knew it, Sutton was diving into the end zone and I was running his way. I jumped at him, and the rest of the team did too as we cheered our win and lived and breathed this moment that had been four years in the making. I didn’t know if it would ever get better than this.
Sutton grabbed my helmet, shook it a little, then pressed his to mine. “Fuck yes! That was a badass pass!”
“Thunder and Lightning do it again! Bringing down the rain!” the announcer said, and the crowd began to chant the Terrible Twosome, then Thunder and Lightning. We’d been the Terrible Twosome most of our lives, and the other nickname they’d come up with our freshman year. It was kinda dumb, but also pretty cool. Our high school team wasn’t high ranking in the state. Most of us weren’t going to college to play football, none of us were expected to go to the NFL one day, but to those in our county, to people who lived in Ryland, we were football gods. We were the best team Ryland had ever had.
We all ran to the sidelines together, dumped Gatorade over our coach, and made our way to the locker room. It felt like a fireworks display was going off in my chest, like I couldn’t control the explosions igniting inside me as we laughed and celebrated.
Sutton and I ended up in shower stalls next to each other. He leaned closer to me, smelling like the coconut shampoo he always used, his dark hair hanging over his forehead. “I can’t believe Miranda’s parents are out of town and she’s throwin’ a party tonight.”
Usually we ended up having keggers in fields or out in the woods, somewhere that we wouldn’t get caught. “Meant to be. She wants your cock. I bet she’s gonna congratulate you tonight with some pussy.”
“I wouldn’t say no.” Sutton waggled his eyebrows, and I laughed.
“Who the fuck would say no to Miranda Hall? She’s the prettiest girl in our year. I’m kinda jealous.” I pushed at his arm over the barrier between us.
“As you should be. I bet Kathy would hook up with you.”
Kathy was Miranda’s best friend. I was sure Sutton was right, and it made sense, really. Sutton actually liked Miranda, and I knew he wanted to go out with her. If he dated her, I could date Kathy, and it would be perfect. “You should tell Miranda to put in a good word for me.”
“Hell yeah,” Sutton replied.
We finished our shower and went to Miranda’s house. She lived outside of town on ten acres with no neighbors in sight. Even if the cops heard something, I’d bet money they wouldn’t come out and break up the party. Not after Sutton and I just won the game. They’d want us to celebrate.
The house was packed with what I was pretty sure was everyone from our high school. My cousin Sammy Joe was there with his best friend Molly, but neither was drinking. His mama was an alcoholic, and though me and Sammy weren’t real close, I knew he didn’t touch the stuff.
The first thing Sutton and I did was get red Solo cups and fill them from the keg. Country music pumped through the speakers, people were laughing and dancing and making out.
Miranda found us in no time flat, as if she had a microchip implanted in Sutton. “If it isn’t the Terrible Twosome.” She pressed her body against Sutton’s. “Good game tonight, boys.”
“Thanks, gorgeous. You gonna hang out with me tonight?” Sutton asked her.
Already? I figured we’d chill a bit together before he went with her. I tried not to let it annoy me.
“You know I am.” She kissed his neck. “You were so hot out there.”
“Thank ya. Where’s Kathy at? I was thinkin’ me, you, her, and Jasp could—”
“She didn’t come. She has the flu.”
Well, shit, there went my plan for the night. Sutton was gonna get his dick wet while I sat out here with my thumb up my ass.
“Oh.” Sutton made eye contact with me, and I shook my head. No way in hell did I expect him not to hook up because Kathy wasn’t there. Plus, I could always find someone else.