Chapter Six Saturday Night Lights

I was nervous but really excited at the same time. Today was our first football game and I was anxious. Obviously, this wasn't my first time cheering at a game but it was my first time cheering in front of thousands of people.

"I can't wait!" Cassidy exclaimed after we did our morning prep rally.

I picked my cheer bag up. "Me either. It's gonna be pretty hectic."

She nodded in agreement. Not only was this the first game but we're also going against our biggest rival. It started years ago when the Bears and us made it to the championship and from what I heard the refs were paid to oversee most of all the fouls that the Bears did.

Obviously, they won that day. But if they were to tell you the story it would be completely different from our version. It's been years but they haven't got over it and they probably never will.

"Nolan been going on and on about how he can't wait to tackle them." Cassidy said.

"Same thing with Levi. Hunter isn't making it any better, either."

"Why?"

"He's filling their heads with horrible things to do to the Bears."

Yesterday, after my cheerleading practice, I overheard Hunter telling Levi and Nolan what they should do Saturday night. And let me tell you, it wasn't very pretty.

What made it worse was Levi was the quarterback. He could fill his team's head with encouraging thoughts or he could corrupt them.

That was one of the many reasons why they made he their leader. The other reason was he studied the other teams, thoroughly. He knew exactly how the Bears played. He could tell you all about their plays, down to the last step. He probably could tell you what their weaknesses were too. That's how hard he studied them. He watched their games over and over again, just studying them.

There were days when Levi was carefree and lived in the moment but when it's game day, especially one as big as tonight, he went straight into not playing around mode.

He took football dead serious just like Hunter did. Not just because they were my brothers, they were really great at the sport. And when they messed up, they showed it. They would get super angry with themselves. They didn't care if they won or lose, if they felt like they didn't try their hardest, pushed their hardest, they would beat themselves up. They would work twice as hard to make up for it.

Levi was an amazing captain, as was Hunter. They were inspiring leaders and it was no wonder many people adored and looked up to them. But then there were times like today were they could take things a little over the top.

I knew Levi just wanted the best for his team and wanted to beat their rival but he could be quite scary when he was determined, at all cost, to win.

"I hope whatever Hunter told them won't start another fight." Cassidy told me.

I nodded. "Finger crossed."

Three years, when Hunter was a senior and Levi was a freshman, our boys made it to the championship and so did the Bears. I was in the stands with my parents, Cassidy, Nolan and Jayce when Hunter got dangerously close to the oppose quarterback.

And I swear, if I would've blinked I would've missed the punched Hunter threw. It happened that quickly. Next thing I know, everyone was fighting as the coaches and refs tried to break it up. Eventually, they broke the fight up and Hunter faced the consequences. He wasn't allowed to play that night. Of course he was pretty mad at himself. He felt like he let his team down. He was also sad because it was he last game. He wanted to end on a good note. He wanted to lead his team to victory.

And that didn't happened. Once they lost Hunter, the team didn't do so good. They were utterly lost without him. Levi tried to bring the score up but it wasn't happening. They lost and the Bears rubbed it in their faces.

I think that's partially the reason why Levi was working so hard. He doesn't want to let his teammates down.

We were heading to our dorm when my phone rang. Pulling it out my bag, I saw it was an unknown caller.

"Hello?" I said but was met with silence. "Hello?" I repeated.

Impatient of waiting, I was about to hang up when they finally responded.

"Who is this?" The unidentified girl asked, confused.

"You called me, remember? So who are you?"

I glanced at Cassidy and she mouthed. Who is it? I shrugged in response.

"Look here, the guy I met last night gave me this number. I thought we had an amazing time but apparently I was wrong. Obviously, you're not him and he can care less about me. Sorry for bothering you."

"Who did you meet last night?" I asked before she could hung up.

"What?" She replied not catching what I just said.

"The guy. Who was it?"

"It's probably not even his real name but he told me it was Jayce."

I sighed, heavily.

"You know him, don't you?" She questioned.

"Kinda."

"Well when you see him tell him Rachel said she hopes he gets his balls ripped off by hungry dogs"

"Will do." I told her before hanging up.

"Well..."Cassidy pressed. "Who was it?"

"One of Jayce's conquer. Apparently, he made another bet last night and gave Rachel my phone."

Cassidy frowned. "Rachel?" Then her eyes widen. "Please tell me it wasn't Rachel Adams."

"I can't. She didn't exactly give me her last name."

"For his sake, he better pray it wasn't her or otherwise the whole football team is gonna be pissed at him."

"I really don't care about his unsatisfying wants and needs. If he messed up, he's on his own."

"Wow. That's a first. You always had his back."

"Well things changed." People changed. I added.

"Why do think he gave her your number?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. Probably to frustrate or irritate me."

During high school, I got used to Jayce giving out my number to girls who was super clingy or very determined to receive a phone call or text from him. I was his best friend so of course I had fun screwing with the minds of the countless girls chasing after him.

The reactions they did when they got the text from "Jayce" was hilarious. They really believed it was him until they found out it was me.

"What did she tell you?"

"She wants me to deliver a not so sensitive message to the devil's spawn."

"It's about his oh so mighty worthy of praises sword, isn't it?" She guessed.

I rose an eyebrow. "Mighty? No. Worthy of praises? Absolutely not."

She rolled her eyes. "You're telling me the God of Pleasure isn't worthy of your praise?"

I snorted at her nickname for Jayce. "That's exactly what I'm telling you and why do you care? You're dating Nolan."

"I know but hearing girls talk about Jayce like he's the master of sexually pleasure gets me curious."

"He couldn't be that good." I lied through my teeth. I know exactly how good he was and it scared me knowing I wanted more-craved more.

"You saw him naked and you still don't think for a second that he could give you all you desire?"

I blushed. "You promised you wouldn't bring that embarrassing day up."

"Embarrassing?" She repeats. "Let's try breathtakingly day or-"

"Or nothing." I interrupted her. "Forget about it." I told her as I opened our dorm room.

Cassidy rolled her eyes again but fortunately kept quiet. I probably didn't want to talk about that day but my mind didn't have a problem reliving that moment for me.

It was on a Friday night, in the middle of June, when I drove to Jayce's house. He texted me to come over after football practice was over.

He wanted hang out before I left for cheer camp for a week. He told me, he brought everything so I didn't need to worry about anything.

I knocked on the door and Vonna, Jayce's mother, answered it. She greeted me with a bright, warming smile.

"He's upstairs." She informed me after she gave me a hug. She glanced down at my bag. "Are you staying the night?"

I nodded. "Yes. I thought Jayce told you. I hope you don't mind."

"You know my son better than I do. He doesn't tell me anything and of course I don't mind. You know the rules and I trust you more than the girls he's been bringing home lately. They're not exactly the rule following type."

I nodded. "I know what you mean."

"I really wish he would bring home a nice, kind, sweet girl and keep her more than a week."

Vonna loved her son but she was just like my mother. They both wanted their sons to stop their player way and find a girlfriend.

After we talk for a few more minutes I walked upstairs and headed straight for the room I've been in too many times to count.

Jayce was used to me barging into his room without knocking so I pushed opened the door and my bag dropped to the floor as I froze.

Jayce had just removed his towel from his waist as I walked in. He had his back to me but he slowly turned around.

A blush crept to my face. If I was a normal person, I would've freaked out seeing my best friend naked but instead I stood there like an idiot unmoving.

Until Jayce smirked and knocked me into my senses.

"Oh my gosh!" I said, covering my eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Sorry for not having a sixth sense." He said, sarcastically. "You're the one who barged in here."

"I'm leaving." I told him, closing the door and headed downstairs.

Every since that night, he would bring me into a converastion I didn't want to be involved in.

"Whatever man, I got what the girls want." Jayce said to Nolan and Greg. "They like what they see."

"I'm so sure." Nolan told him.

"It's true." Jayce said. "Asked Cole." He slung his arm around me. "I left her speechless."

"You're so thinking about that day right now." Cassidy accused me.

I blinked my eyes. "No I wasn't."

"Sure...." She dragged the word out. "Are you gonna deliver the message?"

"I don't know if you've noticed yet but Jayce and I aren't exactly on speaking terms right now."

Yesterday, when everyone was getting ready to leave my house, Jayce kept staring at me and I tried my hardest to ignore him but I couldn't ignore the feelings running throughout my body.

I was pretty positive that he knew what he was doing but he didn't care. If he wanted to treat me like I was something he scraped off the bottom of his shoe then why should I tried talking to him. If he didn't care then I wasn't, either.

Hours past before we eventually had to head to the stadium. I picked up my bag and we walked to Cassidy's car.

I prayed that our boys could control their emotions, tonight. Finger crossed.

***

Saying I was a little distracted was an understatement. I couldn't concentrate on cheering because I was too focused on the game. I was pretty sure I was doing the movements and saying the words but I wasn't smiling at the crowd. I had my head turned to the side to watch the game.

At least I wasn't the only one. Cassidy and Hailey was engrossed with the game as well. To say the least, we were big fans of football. It kinda ran in the family. It was a big deal.

They were about to start the kick off and Bears were receiving it. Chance Kenning, the punter, held up one hand signalling to get ready and once he dropped it our boys started to run. Chance sent the ball in the air.

My eyes zoomed on a big number ten and they followed him as he went after the ball. Levi was determined to win this game. Hailey cheered for him.

"Get him!" She yelled. "Get him babe!"

The Bears made it across the half field when Anthony crashed into him, sending him down.

One down. I thought. Three more.

As the games went on, the score kept changing. One moment we're winning the next they're winning. It was like that until half time came and Bears had the lead.

I turned to Cassidy and Hailey. "This is either gonna go two ways. One Levi is gonna encourage them or two break them down."

"Hopefully for us is the first way." Hailey said as we head off the field.

"Yeah cause I'm not ready for their cold attitude if they lose." Cassidy added.

We could all agree on that. They thought we were worse when our periods came but in the real world they were ten times worse than us. They could go from not talking for days to us to snapping at the littlest things. Usually when they lost we try to give them their space but not much. They still had to know we were there for them and it would be okay.

From a distant, I heard music playing. The band were already on the field and so were the dancers. I didn't know why but they felt the need to compete with us. The dancers I mean. We did have something planned for half time but we decide against because we didn't want to argue with the dancers. We decided to let them have their time and we would get ours later.

"It's that Hunter?" Cass asked pointing with her chin behind me.

I turned my head and sure enough there was my older brother talking with a girl. I couldn't see her face because her back was to me but Hunter was smiling hugely.

"Yeah."

"Who's he talking to?" Hailey asked.

I lifted my shoulders. "I don't know. You know my brother he talks to any pretty girl and hopes for a touchdown later."

We watched Hunter talk to the unknown girl for another five minutes before they parted ways. He saw us and headed our way.

He smiled. "Hey girls."

I crossed my arms. "Hey yourself. Who was the girl you were talking to?"

"No one you need to worry about."

I rolled my eyes. "I would say don't break her heart but you probably already did."

His smile dropped. "I haven't it."

"Yet." Cassidy muttered.

"Anyway..." Hailey said. "What do you think of the game?"

"It's a tough one."

He wasn't lying. Even I had to admit, Bears are a pretty good team. Hence, they went to the championship almost every year.

Hunter continued.

"It'll get better. The guys are getting use to working together and once they find the right rhythm, they'll play perfectly."

It got close to the end of half-time and we were heading back on the field. The flags were ready to run as soon as the boys came out and the band was ready to play our college song.

I stood beside Cassidy as Bears returned onto the field. Their side cheered from them and then it was our turn. The band began to play and we did the traditional dance to it.

Smoke exploded in the air and our boys came out the tunnel, determined.

The game started back up and I realized that Levi encouraged them. They started to make touchdown after touchdown.

"Pretty boy is looking over here again." Cassidy stated.

Of course I noticed Jayce glancing over in my direction but I didn't know exactly who he staring at. Cassidy assumed it was me but I refused to believe it for a second. Why would he be looking at me? He said so himself, I had nothing for him to stare at.

After the third time of Jayce glancing over here, I figured out who he was looking at. I rolled my eyes. Of course he would be looking at her.

Arianna Peyton grinned at him before blowing him a kiss.

I felt hands grip my waist and I realized I'm suppose to be cheering. I looked at my base, Aaron, and he smiled.

He lifted my with ease and I placed a cheerleading smile on. I hopped a little in the air to switch leg while holding the other leg in the air.

I dropped my leg and Aaron threw me in the air. He caught me and sat me back on the air.

"Let's go Raiders!" I cheered, holding up my guns.

The crowd erupted in a loud cheer as they stood up. I glanced behind me and I grinned.

In the endzone, soon to be surrounded by his teammate, was Jayce. And just as I said, his team came crashing down on him. They cheered and yelled.

We won.

Bears looked sad with their slumped shoulders. They lined up to shake hands and as soon as they got done, Bears walked through the tunnels.

Our boys were smiling, and cheering as they huddled together. No doubt, Levi was giving them a mini speech. Once they separated they ran through the tunnel, still cheering.

On my way out the stadium, my mom stopped me.

"Colby, I know it's the time of celebration, but I really don't want you to party the night away. You have a bright future in head of you and I don't want you to damaged that."

I wanted to tell her, she didn't have to worry about me ruining my future because I wasn't going out but Richard, my step dad, stepped in.

He wrapped his arm around my mom and brought her closer to him.

"Blair, let her live a little. It's the first win of the season. We trust her enough not to do anything wrong. She's a smart girl."

My mom looked at Richard. "I know she is but-"

She shook her head and I'm assuming sympathy flashes through Richard's eyes. It was like they were having a silent conversation or remembering an unpleasant memory.

She looked at me and placed a smile on her face. "You can go out but please be careful."

I nodded. "I will. But I'm not-"

"Cole!" Cassidy interrupted me. I looked past my parents to see Cassidy in her car. "Come on!"

"Be careful." My mom repeated as she hugged me.

I walked away from them and hopped into the car. I listened as Cassidy filled me in. Apparently, they were going to throw a party at the frat house then we were going to hit up one of the clubs.

"It's gonna be fun!"

I didn't doubt it for a second. "I bet but I really don't wanna go."

She frowned. "Why not?"

I shrugged. "No reason."

"Sure there isn't. If you're worried about what happened last night, I promise we won't get you drunk. You can stay sober."

I shook my head. "It's not that...well that's part of the reason."

"Is it about Jayce? If it is I have some words to tell him."

"You don't have to do that. I don't wanna go."

"But we won. We need you to celebrate with us." She said. "Plus, this is Hunter's last night before he leaves."

I sighed. She had me there. There was no telling when I would see Hunter again. He was leaving early in the morning.

"Fine but only for a little bit." I told her and she smiled.

As soon as we go to our dorm, Cassidy started to get ready. I followed behind her. I took out my bow and my ponytail before I picked an outfit out.

I stripped out my cheer suit and put the outfit on. By the time I finished touching up my make up, Cassidy was already done.

"Ready?"

I nodded.

Ready to get this over with.

As usual the music was pouring out the house and crowded. I stayed behind Cassidy as she led us to where our group was at.

Once we found them, Cassidy headed to Nolan and gave him a kiss. She told him something no doubt telling him congratulation on his win.

Levi had his arms wrapped around Hailey.

"Congrats." I told him, smiling.

"Thanks. Have you seen Hunter?"

I shook my head. "No. I thought he came with you."

"No." He shrugged. "He'll probably come later."

I nodded.

Anthony arrived and pretty soon they began to talk about the game. They relived their greatest moments out on the field.

"I had to say, Johnson, that was a pretty good hit." Levi said to Anthony.

Nolan grinned. "Wasn't as great as mine."

Anthony gave him a look. "Please it was way better."

"Bet?"

"Alright. Twenty bucks say I had the better tackle."

"You're on." They shook hands.

"Cole whose was better?" Nolan asked.

"I don't know. To be honest, it kinda look like a tie."

Anthony shook his head. "No way!"

"Are you blind? Clearly I had the better hit." Nolan said.

"Hey! Don't ask if you don't want my answer."

"I mean she is a cheerleader." Jayce said as if it was to offend me.

I crossed my arms. "What's that suppose to mean?"

He just got here and he was already trying to pick a fight with me.

"Exactly what I said."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I don't live and breathe for Saturday night lights."

He stared at me with his blue eyes and I forced myself to look away. Luckily Cassidy started a new conversation.

"I still want my twenty bucks." Nolan said.

As soon as Work by Rihanna started to play I quickly looked at Cassidy and she was already looking at me. This was our song. We literally made a dance routine to it.

We headed to the dance floor.

Work work work work work work work
You see me do work work work work work

We barely started dancing when I got yanked.

I frowned. "What are you doing?" I asked Levi annoyed.

"What am I doing? What are you doing?"

I crossed my arms. "It's called dancing."

"No it called twerking."

"Which is a form of dancing."

"It looks like you're trying to get money."

I rolled my eyes. "You make it sound like I'm a stripper."

"Well the way you were dancing..."

"Whatever. Why are you so upset?"

"Because you're my sister, my baby sister and you're surrounded by testosterone."

I rolled my eyes again. "If you makes you feel better I won't dance anymore."

He nodded his head. "Good."

He walked away and I turned around to see Nolan talking to Cassidy. She was rolling her eyes too.

Soon Nolan left her and Cassidy headed my way.

"You too?"

"I swear I can't do anything" She said.

"I know the feeling."

Since we couldn't dance the way we wanted to, we stood on the side and listened to the music.

"Umm why is Chance Kenning coming over here?" Cassidy asked.

Last time I saw Chance, he had his hands all over my body. I was drunk at the time but I could vaguely remember him telling me something about me being on every guy's something. I was going to take a wild guess and say it had something to do with a list.

"Hey girls." He flashed us with his bright white teeth.

Cassidy wasn't going to say anything because she didn't really the guy very much. So I responded for the both of us.

"Hey. Congrats on the win."

Chance was the punter and he was really good at it.

"Thanks." He glanced around him. "Do you wanna dance?"

I could feel Cassidy's eyes on me but I needed to find out what he was going to tell me before Levi interrupted us.

I grinned. "Sure." I looked at Cass. "Stall for me."

She rolled her eyes but agreed. "Fine but you have five minutes."

I followed Chance back on the dance floor.

"So I'll take it your brother doesn't like me."

I laughed. "Levi doesn't like any guy I talked to, don't take it personal."

"But he likes Jayce." He stated.

It was true. Levi did like Jayce but that's only because he thinks of Jayce as a brother. If he only knew what Jayce did to me, I didn't think Levi or Hunter would like him anymore.

"Yeah... well they see him as a brother."

He moved closer to me.

"So Jayce hasn't tried anything on you?"

He had. But I wasn't going to tell Chance that.

I shook my head. "No. Why would he?"

He grinned. "Cole. I don't think you know this but you're really beautiful."

I blushed at his words. "Um, thanks."

He stepped closer so we're almost chest to chest. I forgot how to dance. I stared into his vibrant green eyes.

"I couldn't help but to notice how close you and Jayce are-"

"Were." I corrected him.

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh really?" I nodded. A smile spread across his face. "So it would be okay if I were to kiss you right now?"

Oh my gosh. I thought. I think I nodded because the next thing I noticed was Chance leaning in. He was so close to me I could see every last details on his face.

Right before his lips touched mine, I got pulled away again. But instead of it being Levi it was the devil's spawn himself.

"What are you doing?" I asked, angrily.

His blue eyes matched my feelings. "I think the better question is what the hell are you doing?"

"Minding my own business. Something you obviously don't know how to do."

Jayce ignored me and glared at Chance. "Didn't I tell you to stay away from her?"

Chance narrowed his eyes. "I wouldn't go there if I were you, Ryder. Wouldn't want her to find out your secret."

Jayce jaw clenched and I frowned in confusion. Jayce had a secret?

"You're in the same boat, dumbass." Jayce said.

Before Chance could say anything I butted in.

"What are y'all talking about?"

The two guys have a silent heated conversation and finally Jayce said.

"Nothing you need to worry about."

"Yeah. Don't worry about it." Chance agreed. "See ya later."

He walked away and I stared at Jayce.

"Why do you feel the need to ruin every party I go to?"

"I'm trying to help you. You need to stay away from him. That guy is nothing but trouble."

I crossed my arms. "Oh and you're better? Last time I checked, you aren't my best friend anymore. You don't get to tell me who I can and who I can't talk to. So don't worry about me. Oh by the way, I'd appreciate it if you would stop giving out my number to complete strangers."

He rolled his eyes. "Forget about her. She isn't important."

I couldn't help but to snort. "Seems like no one is important to you."

I was walking away when he grabbed my arm. Sparks shot up my arm and my heart pumped faster. Why did this keep happening?

"Cole. Look I didn't mean for things to turn out the way they did. At your parent's house I didn't mean what I said. I don't know why I even said it."

I couldn't cave in. Not this time.

"But you did and you can't take it back."

I knew he wanted to say something but I didn't allow him to. He didn't try to stop from pulling my arm free and walking away.