Reaching for Rebecca

Chapter 81

RYAN'S POV

My adrenaline levels are high as I step out onto the field.

"Our last homecoming game – it's true what they say, time does fly as you get older." Mason shakes his head and I agree, I mean I remember trying out for this team as a freshman and it was already my senior year! "There they are," he nudges me and nods towards the fence. There I see my gorgeous girl holding up another glittery sign she's made for me.

There're those crying face emojis on it and it says: Look out for Ryan, he'll make you start cryin!

I chuckle at her cleverness and start laughing harder after reading Kate's sign for Mason.

#9 you're lookin' fine! Then she turned it around so we could see the back: Sorry girls, #9's mine.

He slightly blushes and shakes his head at his silly girlfriend. I used to think he was whipped when they first started dating but I completely understood now that I was with Becca. We aren't there yet, but I cannot wait to get to the point where those two were – it was like a never-ending honeymoon phase and I was kind of jealous...

Mason nudges me again and shoots me a look before jogging out to the field for warm ups. I look back to Becca's little group of people (Landon, Alex, Bentley, and Kate) and see Landon nod at me as if he's confirming how nervous I am about her being here. He'll keep a watch out so I can try and focus on this game. Becca blows me a kiss and I break out the widest smile possible and follow the rest of the team to the middle of the field for warm ups.

---

At halftime, the team starts jogging back to the locker room but I slow down and glimpse at the fences. Everyone is still in the same spot and cheering, Landon gives me another nod and a smile to calm my nerves, and Becca flashes a huge grin that showcases her dimples. After a quick smile in their direction, I follow my team and get my head in the game again. The score is currently twelve to six with us in the lead but they were both tough touchdowns. It'd be nice to have a better lead where they couldn't catch up so quickly but I was pumped at our standings so far. This school was hard to beat but we were going to do it.

REBECCA'S POV

I was having an absolute blast. Having Kate and Bentley here with me made my excitement skyrocket! Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful for Landon being all protective and keeping an eye out but that doesn't make him quite the cheery partner to have in the stands. Occasionally I'd feel his fingers grasp my hips tightly and pull be towards him but he'd quickly let go. I'd look at him and he'd shake his head no meaning whoever he just saw was not Kirk.

Ryan was playing great and having Kate (who actually fully understood the game of football) explain more and more plays to me, it was completely enrapturing to watch him perform. Bentley cheered on Paul a little bit but mostly just talked to Alex or Kate the whole time instead of paying attention.

There were only a few minutes of the game left and I insisted on staying until the end even if it may have been smarter to sneak out early. Kate, Bentley, Landon, and I were all driving to the party in Kate's car and I know she wanted to stay and support Mason so I didn't have a problem with it. Bentley seemed bored though and Landon was stressed; however, we managed to stay until the end with a final score of eighteen to twelve! The fans once again chanted Ryan's name as he threw the winning touchdown just seconds before the clock ran out and I was glad I got to see it.

We all started walking to the parking lot in a big group with Landon and I in the back. Suddenly, Alex stopped walking and turned around with wide eyes. Without even having time to think, Landon whipped off his sweatshirt, slid my arms in it, and pulled the hood up.