Warmth (Cheer Legacy Trilogy #1)

20.

"Go, go cougars, fight with your teeth!

Go, go cougars, fight with your claws!

Go, go cougars, we're gonna be the fiercest winners!"

I chant loudly together with the squad as the ground thunders with the cheers of the outdoor stadium. This is the basketball season. It's the last few minutes of the fourth quarter, and I can see loads of college scouts concentrating on the game. It's pretty obvious where they're all looking, because when I'm not executing stunts or flying in the air or pumping the crowd, that's where I'm looking too. 

Number 23. Jesse is shining like the star he is. He lifts his index finger, calling out match and running, always running. He's even more beautiful than ever, and I can't help but admire his ball handling skills. It comes so naturally to him, and this fact doesn't go unnoticed by the scouts. 

I so badly want to single him out and yell 'go, Jesse!' but then I'd be crucified by the squad. Plus, it's not ethical. My heart thuds like mad as Jesse guns for the basket, dodging screens and making smooth passes to his teammates. He runs to the inside, looking around, sweating, his chest heaving. A guy from the other school dashes past him with the ball and Paul, one of the main shooters of our team, steals the ball from the inside and swings it at Jesse. 

Three seconds. Jesse can either slam it in for two points or run outside and get it in for three. Almost casually, Jesse passes it hard to Paul who's already on the outside, and using the momentum, the ball slams into Paul's waiting hands and he transitions into shooting position easily, and makes the shot. 

The entire stadium holds our breath as the ball flies through the air, and the players brace beneath the basket for rebound in case it misses. The ball swings on the rim, bounces twice, then falls in. 

We scream maddeningly, the stadium a deafening roar. My eyes go to the scouts and see some of them clapping each other on the back. In this moment, I'm so proud of Jesse. He could have made the basket, but he led his team to victory. Everyone knows what play he made, and I think everyone falls in love with him in this moment, for this game. 

Jesse and Paul are battered from all sides by their teammates, and I'm so happy for him. So thrilled. He's so going to go places, my guy. Then he's pushing through the crowd, spinning around until his gaze lands on me. My eyes widen as he runs forward and stops right in front of me. We're both grinning at each other like idiots that we are, and I fling myself into his arms. He carries me up and swings me around, laughing. 

"I love this guy!" I point at Jesse below me and laugh. The smile he gives me is more blinding than the sun. "Good job, baby!"

He pulls me back down and kisses me until my knees go weak, and I would have fallen over if he wasn't holding me up. "I love this girl!" He points at me and laughs the way I did. 

Then the referee blows the whistle and I shove him forward. "Go, you dork," I laugh. He presses his fingers to his lips and blows it at me as he jogs to the line. A whole bunch of girls sigh at how sweet he is, and I can't stop beaming. He's perfect, and mine. 

I see a guy from the other team staring at me wide-eyed. This guy is pretty good, too. Maybe if he was on our team instead, he would have won. His teammates were so-so, obviously not a hundred percent into the game the way he and our team is. 

The teams shake on it and the floor is suddenly flooded. We move up to where it's meant for us cheerleaders and I watch as scout after scout hand Jesse their name cards. 

I feel someone staring at me, and I look to the side. It's that pretty-good-player from the other team. I smile at him questioningly. Does he have something to say to me? He blinks like he's surprised I'm smiling at him. I mouth at him 'you did good' because it's true. Then I turn my attention back to Jesse. He's beaming so wide I think his face is gonna split. I feel the answering smile on my face. God, I love that guy.