Secrets And Lies

Chapter 26: Sweet Redemption

Axel

Even though our defense was currently on the field, I needed to keep my head in the game, but my eyes shifted to Ryan cheering on the sidelines. She looked good in her short little skirt. Hell, she always looked good.

I thought of nothing but her, including the morning after the Halloween party. Ryan's makeup smeared all over her face, and her hair a mess of tangles. Yeah, even then, I found her a mix of sexy and adorable. I never thought I would describe someone with those two words simultaneously, but it worked for her.

I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, smacking my head a few times. I hoped it would knock me back to where my mind was supposed to be. 

"Come on, man...you good?" Foster asked from beside me on the bench.

"Yeah, just distracted," I growled, annoyed with myself. 

"Dude, we can't win the game or take state if you can't stop looking at Fitzpatrick." He rolled his eyes, following my line of sight.

"We're winning." I argued.

"That could change at any point. It would only take one very distracted quarterback."

 "Who had the bright idea to make cheer skirts so short?" I asked.

"You never complained before." Foster laughed, elbowing me in the ribs. "Get it together." His voice took on a serious tone.

I nodded silently, glancing at Ryan. The shrill sound of the whistle sounding had me tearing my eyes away. I took a gulp from my water bottle and splashed some on my face.

"I'm good," I said, determined to think of nothing but winning.

We took our position on the field.

I snapped the ball to Foster. He ran down the opposing team's side, dodging a tackle, and scored the winning touchdown. I hated to admit how difficult this game had been. We barely scraped by, winning by a one touch down with fifteen seconds on the clock.

Whether or not we continued our streak, my high school football career would be over soon. It was a bittersweet pill to swallow. After our kicker scored the extra point, Taylor ran onto the field to congratulate Foster. I smiled at the couple, but it faltered a fraction when I saw Quade quickly divert the path he was on to bypass the couple a few feet from him.

The guy was hurting, and now that we were on okay terms, I felt for him. Shaking the foreign feeling of sympathy for him, I turned to see Ryan hanging back. She looked as if she didn't know what to do with herself. I wanted her to come running up to me and tackle me like Taylor had done to Foster. Instead, I got Bre.

"Good job, sexy.." She wrapped her arms around me. I hadn't taken my eyes off Ryan.

Bre's unwanted display made Ryan's unsure expression change to a heated scowl.

"Get off!" I shouted loud enough that I gained Coach Grant's attention from the sidelines.

I pried her hands from around my neck. This was a perfect time when I could show everyone that I didn't want anyone but Ryan. I had no reservations about what I was going to do, just the excited, nervous flip of my stomach as I jogged to the other cheerleaders.

Ryan furrowed her brow, making my smirk turn into a full-blown goofy grin. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pulled her to me, and she slammed against my chest. Ryan was stunned, breathless even.

Ryan stared at me wide-eyed as I dipped my head down, closing the distance, and pressed my lips to hers in a simple yet crushing kiss. I lifted her from her feet, spinning her around.