My heart squeezes. It’s all I can do not to run right out there and hug her.

“Bianca—”

I hear the sharp smack of skin against skin. “Leave me alone.”

Oakley tries to speak again, but Bianca isn’t having it.

“No.” A small grunt escapes her, like she’s trying to physically push him away, but can’t. “Don’t fucking touch me. Leave.”

A moment later, the classroom door slams shut…at the same time my phone vibrates with another text from Cole.

Cole: Are you mad at me again? Or do I need to start a search party because someone kidnapped you?

Sawyer: No. Sorry, I was studying. I’ll be at the game. Promise.

It’s not a lie.

Cole: Sweet. Later, Bible Thumper.

“You can come out of the closet now, Sawyer,” Bianca snaps. “Or should I say…Izzy.”

Shit.

“How did you know?” I say, taking a few tentative steps.

“Because Scott has mono and I overheard that idiot Morgan tell Casey that Oakley was filling in for him. Only, Oakley is six foot one and Scott is five foot six. The costume won’t fit him.”

“Oh. But how did you know it was me?”

“Scott doesn’t jump up like a Jack in the Box whenever my brother’s on the field. He also doesn’t ogle his ass the entire time.”

Fair enough.

Now that we got that out of the way.

“Look, I overheard what happened. I’m sorry—”

“Don’t be.” She laughs callously. “God, you thought that was real?” She rolls her eyes. “I was just fucking with him because I was pissed he dissed me.”

She puts on a good act, but I can’t help but feel her bravado is all a show right now.

She must have learned it from Cole.

Those big brown eyes sharpen like razor blades. “But just so we’re clear, if you ever tell anyone what you overheard, you can kiss your relationship—fake or otherwise—with my brother goodbye.” She gets uncomfortably close to my face. “Because I’ll tear your heart right out of your goddamn chest and eat it for a snack. Got it?”

Devil in a dress? Sounds about right.

“I won’t tell a soul.”

“Good.” She gives me a sugary sweet smile. “Now tell Izzy to get his ass in gear. Casey wants us out on the field in five.”

With that, she heads for the door.

“Bianca.”

She makes no move to turn around. “What?”

“If you ever need someone to talk to…I’m here.”

“Jesus Christ. Stop being such a suck up, Church. Despite only being a five, my brother somehow managed to fall for you. Congratu-fucking-lations.”

Chapter 42

Cole

“You coming, Covington?” Lennox asks. “Everybody’s waiting on you.”

“Yeah, I just need a second.”

He nods in understanding. “Last-minute dookie, huh?”

I’m about to say no, but it’s just easier to let him think that. “Yeah.”

“Say no more, man. I got you.”

He cups his hands over his mouth right before he walks out. “Y’all give him another minute. He’s taking a dump.”

Opening my locker door, I fish around for the piece of green fabric.

I don’t do it before every game…just the important ones.

Closing my eyes, I rub the material over my throwing arm and new tattoo.

I could really use your help out there today, big brother.

“Goddammit,” Coach Stalter spits on the sidelines. “They’re going through our defensive line like shit goes through a goose!”

Despite the colorful analogy, it’s the truth.

Usually our defense is awesome…but today. Today—the Warriors are better.

They must have been preparing for this.

I look at the scoreboard.

Twenty-one to seventeen…in favor of the Warriors.

“Lennox, you better pull your head out of your ass and stop picking dandelions on the goddamn field before I bench you next season.”

Lennox hangs his head. In all honesty, I feel terrible for him, but I can’t focus on that right now.

When the defense is shit…the offense has to pick up the slack.

Especially when there’s only three minutes left in the game.

Coach looks at me. “I hope you believe in God, Covington. Because you’re gonna need him out there.”

I don’t…but I do believe in me.

I clap my hands. “Let’s do this.”

I look out into the stands, trying to spot Sawyer. I can’t find her, but I’m sure she’s here.

She promised she’d be.

Although, I hate that she’s witnessing this game.

Momentum is so low, a quarter of our fans are gone, the cheerleaders look depressed, and…oh, hell.

Izzy the Knight—our mascot—is so miserable, he’s literally praying for a victory from the sidelines.

My heart hammers in my chest as I get into position.

I know exactly what Coach would want me to do—take any opportunity to score.

However, with a team like the Warriors…there’s only one way to win.

You have to play smarter.

When the center snaps the ball. I launch it to Dwight. He runs down the field then pivots toward the sideline.

Five yards. Perfect.

I still need more time though.

In the distance, Coach Stalter starts yelling his head off.

The second the snap is in my hands, again I do the same thing.

Only this time, Dwight stops after ten yards and launches it back to me.

The fucker better be ready to score.

Grinning, I propel the ball.

It’s a thing of beauty when he catches it…

But not nearly as beautiful as the moment he crosses into the end zone.

We fucking did it.

My heart is ready to pound right out of my body as my team rushes me.

Once again, I look up at the stands...hoping the one person I want to impress saw what just happened.

Disappointment flickers in my chest when I spot Jace and Dylan...but there’s still no sign of Sawyer.

I might have won…but it sure doesn’t feel like it right now.

Chapter 43

Sawyer

Holy shit. They won!

I’m so excited I jump up and down, pumping my fist in the air.

It’s only when I notice Cole looking toward the stands with a sad expression on his face that I realize…

He’s looking for me.

It’s a good thing I’m wearing a giant stupid knight head because I’m most definitely frowning as I join the cheerleaders.

My sprinkler is barely a sprinkle…and the moment I’m done, I run off the field.

I’m halfway to the chemistry lab to change into my regular clothes when my phone rings.

Cole’s name flashes across the screen.

Shit.

“Hey,” I say when I pick up. “Great game.”

“How would you know?” he questions.