Chasing Her

Chapter 6: Tryouts

Taylor's POV

I managed to get through the day without issue, stopping between classes to see Erin and discuss the tryouts after school.

"So what position did you play at your old school?" Erin asks while we are walking towards the locker rooms. 

"I was a tight end for the most part, kicked when I had to. My best friend Max was the QB, he and I could communicate well without having to talk when we were on the field. It's what made us unstoppable really, I'm not sure if I'll have that kind of connection with anyone here." I reply, with Erin nodding her head understanding what I tell her. Myself and Max truly had a chemistry on the field that you don't usually find at the high school level.  Haley would always joke that if I wasn't gay you would think myself and Max were soulmates just judging from the way we play football together. He's truly more than a best friend but rather a brother I never had. 

"Well luckily for you we could use whatever skills you have literally everywhere. We haven't won a game in years and you might be the glimmer of hope we need." Erin says as we arrive at the locker rooms. She agreed to take me to the football field to introduce me to the football coach. She seemed extremely nervous about me meeting the coach, which was odd considering I was the one trying out. 

We enter the locker room and I get my gear on while Erin helps me find a locker that's empty. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Erin smiling at me as I get my gear on.

"Is there something wrong? Do I look stupid with this stuff on or did I put something on backward?" I ask her frantically looking to make sure I didn't somehow put the padding on incorrectly. She comes closer shaking her head and giggling at my antics. 

"Nothing is wrong Nash you just look better in the equipment that I anticipated." She says with a smile. I breathe a sigh of relief and shake my head at her with a smile.

"Don't make me more nervous than I already am Hanks." I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her closer while she snakes her arms around my neck. 

Myself and Erin had gotten really close really fast and it feels amazing being with someone who makes me feel at home. But being with her in the locker room this close reminds me of a rule myself and Max hold sacred: no girls during football. I think Erin can see my face shift and pulls away with a look of concern and confusion.

"What's with the guilty look on your face T? Did I do something wrong? I didn't mean to make you nervous." I shake my head at her and take her hand.

"You didn't do anything wrong I just had been reminded of something that me and Max always say during football season. We agree to focus on football, no drama, no parties, and no girls." I look down feeling guilty for letting us get this close just to have to pull away. Erin lifts my chin up with her free hand and makes me look at her.

"I respect that, more than you know, you don't have to feel guilty. I know we have something here but nothing is official. It's only the first week we've known each other. We should honestly try to take things slower anyway." She says with a small smile. I nod and thank her for understanding. We start to head to the field side by side when she breaks the silence.

"With this rule am I allowed to give you my number still? Because I would like to talk to you outside of school." I chuckle and nudge her shoulder.

"Of course, you can meet me at the field when tryouts are over and we'll exchange numbers." She smiles along with me as we get near the field. There is already a group of guys throwing a couple of footballs around with gear on warming up. I tall man with brown hair, khakis, and a polo with the school logo and colors on it is standing on the sidelines. He has a clipboard in hand looking over paperwork before tryouts begin. I can hear Erin breathing harder than before and I look over confused. She just ducks her head down and heads over to the coach. I catch up and soon we are both by his side.