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)
Well, crap. No one ever claimed that he didn’t know me, but that was far too close for my liking.
I arch my brow, gaping at my little sister. “He did not say that I was too chicken to go.”
“He sure did,” she challenges. “So, what’s it going to be? Shall I put some popcorn in the microwave so you can prove him right, or are we going to go and watch his game?”
Oh, hell no! I fly to my feet, scooping my phone up as I go. “Get your crap, Hazel. We’re going to the game.”
“YES!” she squeals, racing out of the living room and straight up the stairs, her feet thumping against the floor like a herd of elephants. “FOR THE RECORD,” she calls down the stairs. “HE SAID THAT CALLING YOU A CHICKEN WOULD WORK LIKE A CHARM.”
Ah, crap. I should have seen that one coming. If I stay home and watch movies all night, I’m proving him right. But if I take his bait and go to the game because I refuse to be called a chicken, I’m also proving him right.
Well played, Noah Ryan. Well played.
Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling into the overflowing parking lot of East View High and Hazel is bouncing in her seat, barely able to contain her excitement. After having to circle the lot twice, we finally find a parking space, and before I know it, Hazel’s dragging me toward the stands.
“ZOEY!” I hear my name called from the stands. My head whips up, finding Tarni waving her hands around with Abby and Cora beside her. “Up here.”
Hazel grins before practically pulling me up the stairs, and before I know it, we’re settled in beside Tarni and the girls as Hazel stares out at the field, watching in awe as people flood through the gates. They are all here to see Noah Ryan’s first game of the season.
It’s the kind of turnout one would expect for the championship game, and I can’t help the pride that resides in my chest. The cheerleaders’ pre-show hasn’t even started, and the crowd is already cheering wildly.
The stands are a sea of maroon and black to represent the Mambas, but there’s only one who’s special enough to wear Noah’s name on her back. Spotlights shine down on the field, bright enough to be seen from space, and music pounds through the speakers.
The only time I’ve ever really had an interest in football was . . . before, but this right here, it’s clear to see why people love it so much. You know, apart from the actual game. The atmosphere and overall mood of the night is such a vibe, it’s incredible. I even catch myself cheering as the anticipation of the game drums through my veins.
Before I know it, my mood plummets as the cheerleaders decide to grace us with an ass-shaking number, and while there’s no denying that they’re an incredible team, after the way they dumped their drinks all over me last Friday night and called me trash for almost two weeks straight, I can’t appreciate their moves down on the field.
They’re just wrapping up their routine when both teams bound out of the locker rooms, and the way the crowd throws themselves to their feet is simply incredible. Tarni grabs my hand and forces it into the sky as she screams out for Noah, cheering him on and deafening me in the process.
Hazel stands on her chair to get a better look and I find Noah immediately as a rush of nostalgia brutally slams right into my chest. I feel like I’ve taken a massive step back in time to being that little girl hovering at the sidelines, cheering so loud for Noah that her throat was raw by the end of the game.
He walks across the field with his helmet tucked under his arm, and as his gaze lifts to the stands, I almost drop to the dirty ground, knowing without even trying that his eyes will come directly to mine. And that’s exactly what happens, as if he’d followed that pull from the invisible string between us.
Noah’s gaze holds mine, and just like every other time he’s looked at me, I’m captivated. I can see the smugness in his eyes, knowing that I played right into the palm of his hand. He used Hazel to manipulate me into being here tonight, and I don’t doubt that Hazel knew exactly what she was doing. Their plan worked like a charm.
23
Zoey
Noah holds my stare for a moment, and as a small smile begins kicking up the corner of his lips, he smothers it before dropping his gaze to Hazel at my side. Taking in the jersey he got her, he grins wide—that boyish one I used to love so much—and as Hazel beams beside me, Noah makes a face.