"You ready to kick some ass?" I asked, adjusting Dean's jersey.

"I'm always ready to kick ass." He smirked, ruffling my hair with his gloved hand.

"Don't be too cocky." I laughed, resting my hands on his padded chest and giving him a kiss.

"Is that my good luck kiss before the game?" He rubbed his hand up and down my side.

"Not really, but I can give you one."

Smiling, I stood up on my tip toes, resting my hands on Dean's shoulders. I pressed our lips together.

"Well I guess there's no way I can lose now, right?"

"Oh, I don't think you will." I patted his chest before walking away, smiling at him over my shoulder.

I found my way through the packed stadium, to where my father was. He was surrounded by a crowd of reporters, shoving microphones in his face, and demanding answers.

"Mr. Thomas, how did you select these teams?"

"What criteria did you set?"

"Have you caught the Jersey Thief yet?"

I never understood how my father could handle the media so well. He was always calm and ready to answer questions. But if that was me, getting bombarded with microphones, questions and cameras I wouldn't be that calm. I'd be having a nervous break down.

"Well, I chose the teams based on their skill level. We examined their game tapes and read their playbooks. I consulted with the coaches, and former colleagues. And I can guarantee that these are the best players in their state." My dad explained, and the eager reporters filmed and recorded.

I decided to find Baylor before they spotted me. He wasn't too hard to find. As I had suspected he was in line at the concession stand.

"How did I know I'd find you here?" I remarked, falling in line next to him.

"Because everyone likes food." He replied in a 'duh' tone.

I just smiled and rolled my eyes. What a goof.

We ordered drinks and Baylor got some popcorn, then I texted the group chat in an effort to find the guys.

Me: Where are you guys?

Evan: lounge by the locker rooms.

Me: Wanna meet at the box?

Keenan: Lemme get some french fries first

Dylan: Why are you getting fries it's still morning?

Keenan: You aren't my mom, don't tell me when I can and can't get fries

Smith: Get me some please?

Keenan: I'm not your mom so I can't tell you not to

Wyatt: Yeah, you aren't their mom so they can do what they want.

Evan: You aren't their mom, captain bossy

Me: Yup you aren't their dad either

Keenan: If Dylan as my dad I'd have a few questions

Dylan: Well I am your dad, so go ahead and ask

Keenan: Okay, okay. So the grocery store is 20 minutes away from my house, and I'm 17. If 17 - 3 = 14, how come it took you more than 14 years to get some milk?

Evan: Bro you did not

Wyatt: Fucking dead

Smith: 😂😭

Me: Lmao

Keenan: Hmm dad?🤔

Smith: ????

Ethan: Dylan??

Evan: ??????

Vylad: Dylan????

Jaiden: Hmmmmm?????

Zach: Yeah dad, where'd you go????

Owen: Dad????

Wyatt: So Dylan is everyone's dad now?

Me: Apparently

Dylan: ...

Keenan: You've been gone for 14 years and now that you're back you won't even talk 🙄

Ethan: Come on dad

Dylan: This is getting weird...

Jaiden: What's weird is that you've got 9 kids and never learned that condoms were cheaper.

Keenan: You implying that we weren't planned?

Evan: Maybe he just got lost on the way to get milk. Stop making assumptions Jaiden.

Me: Yeah, you ever thought of that? Give him a break

Dylan: I'll meet y'all at box

Keenan: Don't get lost on your way there too

Dylan: 🙄

Laughing, I shoved my phone in my pocket and Baylor and I headed upstairs to the private box that looked over the field. We were above the fifty yard line, but we were so high up that we could barely make out the numbers and names on the players' jerseys. The game had yet to start, but the coaches lingered on the turf.

"What's up?" Keenan yelled, walking through the doors with Smith at his side.

Baylor glanced upwards. "That  bird apparently." He shrugged, looking back at the two boys.

They shook their heads, chuckling lightly. Wow what a comedian. Ethan ran in to the box, followed closely by Evan and Wyatt, and hung over the railing, looking down at the field.

"How high up are we?" He asked like an excited child at Niagara Falls.

I shrugged. "Really high."

"Be careful, you could fall." Smith warned, his eyes trained on Ethan as he teetered on the railing.

Smith was pushing his back against the wall behind him, staying as far away from the edge as possible. I gave him a confused look as he pressed himself against the wall even more. His breathing was a little strained as he focused on Ethan as he continued to teeter.

"You good Smith?" I asked.

He shook his head a little frantically as Ethan and Evan wrestled on the railing.

"Whats wrong?" Wyatt furrowed his brows.

"I hate heights, and those two are freaking me the fuck out." He replied.

"Aww, maybe you don't wanna watch this next part." Evan warned, wrapping his arms around Ethan's waist and trying to fling him over the edge.

The two of them wrestled around until Ethan had Evan in a headlock. Wyatt wrapped his arms around Evan's waist and Keenan helped pull Ethan off of Evan. They dragged the two boys apart and away from the edge, causing Smith to let out a breath of air.

"Thank god." He whispered, now able to peel himself away from the wall.

Soon enough the rest of the guys showed up and were seated, munching on fries and popcorn or  sipping sugary soda. Dylan entered the box, slushie in hand. Keenan's head snapped around like an owl as he stared at Dylan.

"What?" Dylan asked, furrowing his brows.

Keenan jumped up from his seat and ran towards Dylan, wrapping him in a hug and lifting him off the ground. Dylan reluctantly hugged him back, obviously confused. He wasn't the only one through, as everyone else was just as lost.

"Dad," Keenan called, his voice muffled as his face was shoved in to Dylan's chest. "You finally got the milk."

Everyone erupted with laughter as Keenan removed himself from the hug, but not before taking a sip from Dylan's drink. The boys sat down and we all chatted as we waited for the game to start. I leaned over the edge of the railing, careful not to scare Smith while I watched the first plays.  For the first fifteen minutes not much had happened, but as the next play started Dean passed the ball off to the running back, Parker Bryant, who rushed it to the endzone. I jumped up from my seat, cheering along with everyone else.

"Wait a second," Wyatt said, confused. "Are they wearing their jerseys?"

Everyone stared at the field studying the attire of the players. It was hard to see them from so high up, but if you squinted you could see.

"Oh shit, when did they get their jerseys back?" Keenan wondered.

"No idea." I'm muttered.

The mystery of how the guys got their jerseys back was short lived as our focus returned to the game. By the time the third quarter had ended I decided it would be a good time for me to slip away and put the next jerseys out. Central Valley was winning by seven points and the game was pretty close, so I wanted to be as fast as possible so I wouldn't miss anything. Just as I was about to leave the box Vylad caught me.

"Where are you going?" He asked, furrowing his thick brows.

"I'm just headed to the washroom. Text me if anything happens while I'm gone." I lied.

He nodded, giving me a thumbs up before I left. I ran down the stairs and through the stadium as fast as my little legs could muster. Unlocking my jeep, I flung my backpack over my shoulder and darted back into the stadium and past security.

The change rooms were around the corner, but a security guard stood in the way. There was no way I could sneak past him without getting caught. I had to think of a lie, and fast. As soon as one popped into my head I approached the tall, burly man.

"Excuse me sir?" I said in the sweetest voice I could.

The man didn't say anything and just raised his brows, singling for me to continue.

"I left my phone in my boyfriend's football bag, would you please let me in there to check?"

"I'm sorry miss, but I can't allow that."

"Why not? I'm Bailey Thomas and my father is the organizer of this event. And my boyfriend is Dean McKinnley, captain of the Central Valley High football team. I promise I'll make it quick." I hated name dropping, but this was necessary for me to get in there.

The guard hesitated before nodding. "Make it quick please."

"Thank you, and I will be quick."

Entering change room number one I began to pull out Pinecrest's jerseys and hang them neatly on the hooks, making sure the back of the jerseys were facing outwards. Slowly I peeked out the change room door. The coast was clear. Mr. security guard had his back facing me, so crept over into the other room. Just as fast as I'd done the other jerseys I hung Nor'Wester's sharp maroon uniforms.

I walked out of the room holding up my phone for the guard to see.

"I found it!" I announced, as the guard gave me a smile.

It vibrated in my hand as a text from Vylad came through.

Vylad: You get lost or something?

Me: Long line at the bathrooms, I'm on my way up there now.

Vylad: 👌🏻

I rushed back up the stairs not wanting to miss anymore of the game. Although I also wanted it to end, so I could see Smith and Zach's reactions to getting their jerseys back.

A/N: It's been almost a year since I've written a new chapter for this book, and I can't even express how excited I am for this. Also I'd like to dedicate this chapter to NeriumsPoison who gave me the motivation to continue writing this story.

~Grace🏈