Aaron's POV:

Friday.

The day of my last game of football.

All week, I practiced hard on the field, throwing, running and catching. My teammates seemed to have noticed that their team captain was more active and they responded to that, showing up early for practice and often staying till very late.

I have never been prouder.

I've also been spending time with Kayla and Keon, or Kayla and Steph - not Steph and Keon together, because they cannot seem to stand each other.

Kayla hasn't elaborated more on what she meant last week when she said that my parents couldn't stop me from playing football, and every time I bring it up around her, she gets really quiet, or changes the subject. As much as I love her, I have to admit that I am a bit nervous.

Kayla can be a bit crazy.

The bell rings signaling the end of the class and drawing me out of my thoughts. The school day is finally over.

I sling my bag over my shoulder and rush out of the classroom when I collide with Kayla who is rushing out of the class opposite mine. We both groan in pain as we crash into each other, and then burst out laughing.

"How was your class today?", she asks as she helps me pick up my bag which had fallen in the collision.

"It was actually boring", I say honestly, looking deep into her green eyes. "I wished you were there", I whisper into her ears placing a peck on her cheek.

Her eyes widen in surprise for a moment, before she gives me a sweet smile.

We begin to make our way towards the football field. Today is the match against Glendale High, and I want to get out there early in order to give me enough time to give a motivational speech to my team. This was probably going to be my last game and I want it to be the best game I have ever played, even though it might end up being the worst game I've ever played.

As if reading my thoughts, Kayla's warm hand slips into mine, drawing circles against my palm. "You're going to be amazing out there"

I can't help but smile, all my doubts for the upcoming game being washed away instantly.

We finally make it to the football field, and even though we are about half an hour early for the match, I can see that all my teammates had the same idea and turned up early to the field. They must have left class immediately after the bell rang and changed in a hurry, but there they all are, waiting anxiously for me.

As soon as they see me, their face brighten considerably, and I nod at them to continue practicing while I walk to the locker room to get changed.

I get to the locker room which is empty since all the boys are on the field, and I shrug off my shirt, just as the door opens and Kayla walks in.

Her eyes linger a bit on my abs before she hastily averts her eyes.

"Like what you see", I tease, raising an eyebrow.

"You wish rulebook", she rolls her eyes. "I actually came to just wish you luck. Be yourself and enjoy the game. OK?"

I feel warmth in my chest at the knowledge that she snuck into the boys locker room just to wish me luck. I sniff a bit.

"Oh don't cry"

She walks up to me and gives me a hug which seems to last an eternity. I am enveloped by her scent and I could just stay like that forever. She pulls away slightly, and gives me a peck on the lips.

She is about to let go, but I drag her forward and give her another peck on the lips. And then another and another till my lips are sealed on hers and my tongue probes for access.

She pulls away completely laughing. "I don't want to distract you before your big game Aaron", she says, looking down... there.

I flush as I turn around and she bursts out laughing.

"I'll see you later okay?", she says, and she blows me a kiss as she walks out.

🏈🏈🏈

The team and I practice for thirty minutes before the bus for Glendale High arrives. The moment the players step out, I can immediately sense that this game is going to be difficult.

Each player is at least six foot tall and they have the bulk to match. The smallest player looks about as tough as an ape. Not only their size though, but they look old - much older than any of us. These guys look like they should be in college or something.

I can feel the motivation draining from my team, and I do not blame them. How are we expected to beat these guys?

I peal my eyes and I spot Coach Hernandez walking up to the field. He jerks his head towards me then to himself, motioning me to come over. I walk to him, but I can't help glancing over at the Glendale team. Just looking at them sends shakes up my spine.

Coach Hernandez is also looking at the Glendale team and I can see his mind working out ways to either get us out of this match or allow us to play without suffering any fatal damages.

"How well do you think you can play against them?", Coach asks as soon as I see him.

I answer without hesitation. "They're going to flatten us"

Coach nods slowly. "You guys have the advantage of speed", he says. "I've seen them play before; all muscle but no brawn. Tackle and then a fast pass to touch down."

At this point, I can't tell if Coach is trying to convince me or himself. There is absolutely no way we can tackle these guys without a visit to the ER.

"They're going to need a speech", he says, nodding his head to where our team is sitting dejectedly, the fire that they once had now in ashes. "Something to get their spirits up and convince them of the winners that they are."

Either Coach is unduly optimistic or he's drunk and does not understand the severity of the situation. Neither explanation can get me out of giving a motivational speech anyway, so I yell for a huddle. Normally, they would be full of energy at this time, chanting and trying to intimidate the other team, but now they are just sluggish, tired and depressed.

Once everyone is in front of me. I launch into my speech.

"Today, we're not just playing football; we're going up against some heavy hitters. I know, they've got a reputation, they've got skills, but guess what? So do we!

Look, we've put in the work, we've sweated it out together, and now it's time to show everyone what we're made of. Ok, they might be strong I'll give them that, but we're scrappy, we're fast, and we've got each other's backs.

I don't care about their stats or what people are saying. What matters is what we believe and what we do on that field. We're not just a team; we're a crazy, awesome family. And families stick together no matter what."

I can see some feeling returning to the team so I forge on.

"We've worked hard for this game. Remember those early morning practices? Those extra laps we did? It's all going to pay off now. This is our time to shine, to make memories, and maybe even pull off the win of the century, one that will go down in history as the best match in all of Meadowbrook history.

Look, I believe in every single one of you. We've got skills, we've got attitude, and most importantly, we've got each other. So, when you step out onto that field, leave it all out there. No regrets. Forget the crowd that is watching, forget everything and focus on the game. We are an amazing team and we know that we can win this. Who's with me?"

I can feel the energy resonating from my words and I know that everyone else can feel it too. Jason gives a loud long shout, and the rest of the team, almost as if waiting for his lead join him .

"Team on three! One, two, three, TEAM"

We break apart to find the other team on the field waiting for us, their coach who is acting as the referee, eyeing us in an amused way. I take my eyes away from them and peal the bleachers for a pair of green eyes. I am shocked to see how many people have already taken their seats, watching with a near feeling of anxiety.

But what shocks me even more is the huge hat I spot on the front row of the bleachers. A hat that is far too out of place to be at a high school football match. I manage to stop staring at the hat and stare at the woman who is wearing it, and I instantly wish I hadn't

Brown eyes, elegant pearls and an expression of utter disdain.

Of all times to attend my football match, of course my mother would choose the one that I was most likely to lose.

🏈🏈🏈

As soon as the whistle blows, there is the sound of a large crash and I find myself landing hard on the ground. I groan as the coppery taste of blood fills my mouth, but I manage to get up and run after the guy who has the ball. One of our players - Leo - manages to catch up to the guy and tackles him from the ball. Leo is strong and quick and he is able to steal the ball and tosses it to Jason who passes it to me. I try to spot a crack through the wall of human flesh that is the opposing team, but I can't seem to spot it, so I toss the ball back to Jason as I sprint around trying to look for an opening. I sot one, but before Jason can pass back to me, the quarterback from Glendale tackles Jason, sending him flying in the opposite direction as he steals the ball from him. He passes it to their kicker and I barely register the tweet of the whistle as the ball sails through our goalposts.

I don't look towards the bleachers where I am sure that my mother's eyes are trained on me. Instead, I jog to where Jason has taken off his helmet and is wiping the blood from his mouth.

"Are you all right?", I ask.

"Right now I am, but I don't know how much longer we can hold out against these guys."

I shake my head. These guys aren't just big - they're really good. "We need to try", I say to Jason, hoping that my voice sounds reassuring and strong, but I doubt it right now. Jason doesn't say anything else, but puts on his helmet and jogs onto his spot on the field.

And that's how the game continues. We constantly get trampled by the boys from Glendale, till I am certain that everyone is going to leave the field with injuries. They've already scored three touch downs But I notice something as we play - coach was right. The Glendale team are big and strong, but they don't really have the advantage of speed or a lot of team work. On two occasions, they seemed to be arguing over the ball and Jason was able to steal it and score a kick which gave us three points.

Right now we are on 6 points, but at that moment, I notice a burst of speed from Leo who managed to steal the ball of the quarterback and is trying to shake him off. I run giving myself space from the other players around me while waving my arms, signalling to Leo to throw the ball.

And he catches on. Leo sends a powerful throw which I manage to jump and catch before he gets buried under the mountain of a man attacking him. Mentally buffing myself, I charge across the field, ball tucked safely under my arm as I do my best to elbow the players standing in my way, dodging and passing only when necessary. And soon I see the goal in front of me, totally unprotected. I run straight through, scoring a touchdown which causes our school to break out in loud screams. I imagine Kayla in the stands and my body energizes.

I am going to win this.

The rest of the game passes in a blur, and although we are all weak and can't seem to score, we manage to defend superbly preventing them from scoring as well.

We need more than a touchdown to get us a win, and time is running out.

I look at Jason, and he nods, almost like he is reading my mind.

One of our players is currently with the ball, but it is only a matter of time before he is attacked. Jason runs across the field passing near enough to collect the ball without breaking speed. Meanwhile, I am busy getting behind the defenses of Glendale's team. I do it subtly so as not to arouse any suspicions, and I am in position when Jason sends the ball over to me with a powerful kick.

Time seems to slow down as I grab the rough leather of the ball and take off like a bullet from a gun. The opposite team was so busy chasing Jason that they left a wide open space in front of me and I quickly follow the trail to their post. But without turning, I instantly sense someone on me. I quick glance reveals the quarterback for Glendale gaining on me.

No.

In a sudden burst of adrenaline, I push myself till I passs the goal post, but I don't stop, not even when the heavy body of the quarterback lands on me, sending me crashing down. I stretch and toss the ball, and the whole school holds their breath as it reluctantly rolls onto the end zone.

The whistle blows twice.

The game is over. And we won with two points.

Two whole points.

We just beat the best high school in the area, and for a while everyone is quiet as we try yo comprehend it all.

There is one cheer, then two until it seems like the whole world is cheering for us. My teammates lift me up on their shoulders, and for a moment, I am on top of the world.

🏈🏈🏈

"I'm glad you seem to have gotten all that football out of your system, Aaron", my mom says as we walk back to the car, my dad and Caleb beside us. I hadn't noticed them earlier, but then I was focused on the game. However, now I have time to think.

Did Kayla invite my parents over? Was this her big surprise - hope that my parents would see me play and be convinced that I could continue playing football? While I appreciated the gesture, I knew it wasn't going to happen.

As we head back to the car, I notice many members of my teammates talking with various adults - scouts. Coach wasn't kidding when he said that scouts would be watching us play, and as soon as the match ended, many people were approached, including Jason and Leo.

However, my parents must have noticed what was happening because they instantly bustled together, forming a protective shield around me as they marched me towards the car.

"Aaron"

My name is yelled across the parking lot, and I turn instantly to see Kayla running like a hurricane. She tumbles into my arms and I hold onto her.

"Someone wants to see you", she says, looking at me. "You guys too", she throws a glance to where my parents are bristling silently.

"We're actually in a rush so we'll just get...", my mom doesn't get much farther.

"Then we'll make this brief, shall we?"

I look behind Kayla, to see her dad dressed in a formal suit and tie, holding a book and a pen.

And then it hits me. I look at Kayla in awe, and she shoots me a wink and a nod, confirming my thoughts

Kayla's dad is a scout.

"I'm Mr Barnes, and I would like to scout your..."

But that's as far as he goes before my parents step in front of me.

"Absolutely not", my dad says.

"With all due respect Mr Delany, you haven't even heard me out yet"

"We don't need to hear you out", my mom waves her hand as if shooing a fly. "What school do you even want to scout him for? Some local community college somewhere?"

"Actually", Kayla's dad says as he adjusts his tie and reaches into his pocket. "If you had let me finish, you would have found out that I am the scout for Brown University"

I would pay good money to see the look on my parents' faces as Kayla's dad hands them his business card with the logo of Brown University neatly printed in the top right corner.

"We want your son to attend our institution and join the football team there", he continues, obviously deciding to make good use of my parents' temporary silence.

"We won't pay for him to go to university and play football", my mother says in a tone of finality, and my heart sinks.

"That's no problem at all Mrs Delany. Brown offers a full scholarship to footballers with outstanding grades, and from what I have heard, Aaron qualifies for such scholarship."

"We won't let him", my mom shrieks, almost as if I was being kidnapped and not like I am being offered a full scholarship to study at a prestigious university

"Well, look at it this way", Kayla's dad says. "Your son will be admitted into a prestigious university", he raises up his hand as my mother opens her mouth to argue. "Let me finish. He gets in on full scholarship and he still has to study, but now he gets to play football as well. If his grades slip, he is kicked off the team. Does that meet up to your standards?"

My mom looks ready to argue more, but my dad looks up from where he and Caleb have been arguing and interrupts her.

"What else comes with this arrangement?", he asks with the faintest hint of interest, and my heart leaps for joy.

"Much more, Mr Delany", Kayla's dad says with the smile of someone who has gotten their way. "But let's go somewhere more comfortable and talk about it"

And I watch as my parents reluctantly allow Kayla's dad towards the bleachers, Caleb following behind with a big smile.

Kayla clears her throat, and I turn to find her leaned against the car.

"You did this", I barely manage to choke out as I wrap her in a hug and lift her off her feet.

"I didn't do anything", she says as I set her back on the ground. "I just told my dad to watch you play, and he made no promises. It all depended on your game play", she gives me a sexy look from under her eyes, and I place my hands on her waist. "Did I tell you how well you played today?"

I give her a smirk. "Why no you didn't. But I did play pretty well, didn't I?"

She rolls her eyes, but as I lean in even closer, her eyes widen in excitement.

"Don't I get a reward for playing so well?"

"Well, you did play pretty well, so I do have a reward for you"

We are so close that our lips are barely a hair's width apart.

"A reward?", I ask, my voice hardly above a whisper.

She nods and closes the distance, placing her lips on mine, gently at first, then harder, firmer.

I slide my hands into her hair as she moans, opening her mouth and allowing my tongue access. Gently, I probe, darting my tongue in and out of her mouth as I press her against the car, pushing my body firmly against hers. She gives a sigh, and I groan against her as one hand travels down, leaving a trail against her back as I travel lower and lightly skim over her but before cupping it firmly. She moans louder removes her lips from mine.

I open my mouth in protest but clamp it down as a groan escapes me at the feeling of her lips on my neck. She kisses gently at first but then she really gets into it, nipping me gently and I know she is leaving hickeys, but I don't mind. I want her to leave them, and I expose more of my neck which she hungrily devours.

The sound of a car horn has us pulling apart reluctantly.

Kayla grins wildly and I can't help but grin as I pull her in and peck her on her lips.

"You are amazing. Do you know that?"

She gives me a grin. "Aww you say the sweetest things. That's why I love you"

She looks stunned for a minute, almost as if she can't believe she said the words, but I pull her close and hug her.

"I love you too"

A/N: So sorry for taking so long to update loves. My exams are next week and I've been unable to have much time to write, but to make up for that, I made this chapter extra long, and I hope you all loved it.

One more chapter till this book ends loves. I am so sad to say goodbye to Aaron and Kayla... or maybe it won't be goodbye 🤭

Don't forget to vote and comment loves . See you in the next chapter💋💋💋