Songs for Cricket by Laine, E. (best books to read in your 20s TXT) 📗

the ball to Finley, and she would throw to August. I would protect her in closer range, and Cooper and the rest of the guys would hold the line.

“I’ve got your back,” I told her as we got in formation with us a little behind the line.

That damn smile she gave me was felt all the way to my toes. I had to look away and focus. No way would I let anyone get another cheap shot on my girl.

The play went off flawlessly. On the run, Finley threw the most perfect spiral to land in August’s hands like he’d been given a gift. And it was. He scored, and I saw some of the guys look at Finley a little differently. She kicked the extra point like a boss, and Billy’s side of the field looked more ready for battle.

“They are going to throw. No way Billy is going to let Finley outshine him,” Cooper said in the huddle. “Finley, switch. You on the right, August on the left.” He pointed to me. “You watch the runner. The rest of you penetrate the line and bring Billy down.”

As we lined up, I noticed that the stands were filling with people. It wasn’t crowded, but someone must have spread the word that a game was underfoot.

The play went off, and Billy threw to his receiver on the right near Finley. He thought her to be the weak link, only she tipped the ball that was thrown, and it bobbled. Unfortunately, the guy was taller and saved it to run it in. Worse, Bryant’s kick, though it looked wide right, just made it inside the upright. Game tied.

“It’s okay. This is our second play. Still trust me?” Cooper asked our team.

The guys murmured their agreement. “Alright. Same rules. Protect my sister. We will handle the rest.”

I was surprised when Finley didn’t argue this time. The signals Cooper flashed meant for me and August to run laterals, throwing the ball to each other a little behind as if we had too many defenders on our trail. They wouldn’t be expecting it.

It worked like a charm. We scored, and the stands erupted. Finley kicked another beautiful extra point. Our rag tag teammates launched her in the air like we’d won the game.

I glanced over at Coach to catch a smile. He knew exactly what he was doing. He’d guessed that Finley would gain respect from her team when they saw her in action but only during a game-like situation.

Billy wasn’t half bad. He switched things up. They ran their own trick play and scored another. Bryant tied things up but just barely. If he didn’t see by now why he’d been regulated to second string kicker, he was blind.

Cooper didn’t bother with a speech. “Let’s close things up, Finley.”

She nodded. No hand signals needed. I was supposed to block, and I would do just that. I planned to run as fast as I could and take down any asshole gunning for my girl. The ball was going to her. She and August would act like receivers. They would assume the ball would go to him even though Cooper would fake to me. But in fact, she would get the ball. She’d have to run like the devil was after her not to get tackled. It was a risk, a big one.

We lined up, and everything slowed to what felt like a single heartbeat every few seconds. The sun beat down on us, sweat pouring off me like rain. For precious moments, I couldn’t look at her and give the play away. She would be vulnerable.

Cooper called out the start of the play. I could hear my breaths along with every guy near me. Finley was too far away, and I had to pray she would be fine. We’d run this multiple times back home, but if they figured us out, she would go down, and the real war would begin.

The ball snapped. Cooper was in motion. He hustled my way, and I faked the handoff running in the opposite direction. I ran towards the line of scrimmage, still not able to check on Finley because some of Billy’s guys were buying it. Then I got hit from behind in time to see the ball leave Cooper’s hand. I struggled to my feet, but with so many bodies, I couldn’t really see.

Then silence. Everyone was too quiet for a second. Players finally moved giving a clear view of Finley running with two guys fast on her heels. I was quick but not fast enough to catch up to them. There was no way I could get to her in time. Then August appeared, barreling into the guy who was diving for Finley. She crossed the end zone, and our team ran toward her in victory.

I wanted to be the one to pick her up and to congratulate her first. But more than just our team was there. The guys from the sidelines surrounded her too. I decided to watch from the side as they chanted her name.

Cooper, also on the fringes, sidled up next to me as Finley was thrust on the shoulders of someone as our teammates continued to shout their praises.

“Do you like her?” he asked.

For a second, I thought he knew my secret until I followed his line of sight to Tori, who stood alone in the stands. Our eyes connected, and I had to admit there was something very appealing about her, and Cooper felt it too.

“I don’t know,” I answered, not quite ready to give into the idea of a Plan B.

The noise surrounding us exploded, silencing my thoughts. I glanced up to see Billy had been lifted in the air. I blinked, not sure what was going on. His team had lost. The distance between him and Finley suddenly evaporated. Almost faster than I could blink, he cupped her face and then they were . . .

Finley jerked back, and by all accounts she was just as surprised