Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

SASHA

The game is a nailbiter, and I find myself watching Rio like a fucking hawk as he runs across the turf of the field, or should I say pitch . Don't want to forget that and have the coach correct me again with the most boring spiel. Does it really matter what I call it?

Internally, I give my head a shake, returning my focus to the game that is currently tied four-four. Every time our team scores, the other team does the exact same, keeping us at a tie and on our toes. I'm dying to find out who's going to win.

Rio has been killing it the entire game. I've been sneaking glances at him any chance I get, which turns out to be a lot. He has the ball now and is racing toward the net. I wish I could run as fast as these guys, or maybe I don't… running isn't very fun. But being fast is. Rio's gaze is glued to the net as he gets closer and pulls back one of his powerful legs then snaps it forward, sending the ball flying directly into the net.

The half of the crowd that is cheering for our team loses their shit, and Rebecca and Hailey shake their pompoms as our guys shout and hug each other. When Rebecca elbows me, I realize I'm standing there staring instead of jumping up and down like I'm supposed to be doing. With a quick inhale, I throw my hands up and turn my head from side to side to make sure I have enough space to do a backflip.

"Stand clear," I say to the girls since there is no way the crowd could hear me.

Hailey and Rebecca step to the side, and I do a cartwheel followed by a perfect back flip, which has our fans shouting even louder—which is surprising since they were already pretty loud.

I jump up and down, and the girls flank my sides again as we hype the crowd up some more before the game gets back in motion.

"How are you doing?" Evangeline asks once the ball is moving again, and I'm able to sit for a moment on the bench.

"Hot," I reply, then take a sip of the water in my hydration pack on my back, which has a tube sticking out by my neck.

She smiles at me and nods. "It takes getting used to I hear."

"At least I won't be packing any water weight," I joke, and she giggles.

"You'll be in the best shape of your life by the end of the school year."

I nod, then stand and tilt my head toward Hailey and Rebecca, who join me. I start shouting out a simple cheer for the crowd to join in on to help encourage our guys to get another goal.

I follow the movements of the girls, stepping from side to side and clapping my hands to the beat of the cheer.

After a few minutes we take another break and watch the game that is still just as intense as it has been all evening.

Our team has possession of the ball, and Rio passes to Whiley with perfect precision. Whiley kicks the ball—I mean dribbles it down the pitch—before passing to BooBoo, who gives the ball back to Rio. The plays go so quickly that it's almost hard to follow, but thankfully, this time, our team is able to keep ahold of the ball, and for the third time tonight, Rio scores for our team.

This time, I don't freeze, and I immediately break out into a couple of cartwheels to celebrate the goal. We are finally two points ahead of the opponents, and the game is almost over. A giddy energy races through my veins, and I can almost taste the victory. I know it's best not to get too excited because anything can happen, but I'm holding onto the positive thinking that we are going to win.

"Give me a G," Hailey shouts during a brief pause in the game, then points her pompom to the crowd, who repeat the letter back to her.

"Give me a S," Rebecca calls out next, and the fans respond even louder this time.

"Give me a U," Hailey takes the lead again, this time holding her pompom to her ear as she waits for the thunderous reply.

"What's that spell?" the girls yell at the same time.

"GSU," the crowd shouts back.

"What's that spell?"

"GSU."

"What's that spell?"

"GSU!" The crowd is so loud at this point I almost fall over from their contagious energy.

"Let's go GSU!" the girls call out a couple of times, and the crowd joins in, cheering our boys on with so much enthusiasm it's mind boggling.

The guys who are sitting on the sideline are grinning from ear to ear from the support the crowd is showing them, and the players on the field look even more determined than they were.

There is no doubt in my mind that we are going to win the game tonight.

When the clock hits ten seconds to go, the crowd starts to count down—something I found out last game is a tradition in college soccer—and when the buzzer rings out, our side of the stands loses its mind with cheers, hollers, and cries of pure joy.

The players who were on the sideline race on to the pitch to celebrate with the rest of the team and I'm left in aww of how amazing it feels to be experiencing this moment with the team right now.

"Get out there," Evangeline encourages me, and I quickly listen, cartwheeling and front-handspringing my way to the team.

I high-five the players when I reach them and throw up a few of their arms, waving them toward the crowd, who are all on their feet, still cheering.

"We did it, boys!" BooBoo screams.

Pure adrenaline races through my veins as I celebrate the win with the team. I can only imagine how the players feel at this moment, to have accomplished what they set out to do tonight. I know this is just one game of many more to come, but a win is a win in my books. As the team continues to cheer and show their joy, my gaze lands on Rio, who's smiling so big it damn near takes up his whole face. His jersey is clinging to his body from how sweaty he is, and his light brown hair is a mess, but he's still hot as fuck.

Fuck. What I wouldn't do for a chance to form a deeper connection with him.

Eventually, the coaching team escorts us off the field, and I find Evangeline waiting for me in the change area that was set up for me and the cheerleaders while the guys change in a different locker room.

"You killed it tonight," Evangeline tells me as she helps me take off the koala head.

I beam at her when I'm free and grab a towel to wipe the sweat off my forehead.

"I don't think I've had this much fun at a job in a long time," I tell her as she helps me out of the costume. "And I really loved teaching dance."

"I really hope you don't ever lose that joy for this position," she says, then hands me a bottle of water.

I gulp down the blissful coldness, relishing in how good it feels sliding down my throat.

"I'll admit there are downsides to this job," I tell my boss, who frowns a little until I finish my thought. "But the positives far outweigh the negatives. The energy of the crowd the past few games has been intoxicating."

"Wait until we lose a game," Hailey mumbles over her shoulder as she changes out of her skimpy cheerleading outfit.

"It's like the exact opposite feeling in the stadium," Rebecca adds.

"How likely is it that I won't ever have to experience that?" I check before dashing behind a curtain to change out of my sweaty clothes.

"An undefeated season is the dream of every college athletics team, but it's one very few have ever done," Evangeline tells me. "And since you'll be cheering for multiple teams, not just this soccer team, it's even more likely that you'll witness at least one loss."

I nod as I come out of the changing area and stuff my gross clothes into my bag. "I guess that makes sense," I murmur, already hating the idea of a loss.

"Losing sucks, but it makes the next win even better," Rebecca states, which helps turn the corners of my lips upward.

"As long as I have you two beauties by my side, it won't matter if we win or lose."

Hailey giggles and then throws a towel at me. "How is a man so sweet as you still single?"

"You think a wild stallion like me is easy to break?" I question with a raised brow. "I like having fun, and I'm not looking to settle down anytime soon."

What I don't admit is actually wanting to date one guy in particular, but I'm pretty sure he isn't into me at all.

"Oh, it's going to be so fun watching you fall in love," she replies.

I roll my eyes in response. "Love is for the weak."

"You're just tempting the love gods to hit you with their arrows," Rebecca voices.

"Yup, those that protest too much about love are always the ones that fall the hardest," Hailey adds.

"I've done love once; I won't be doing it again," I tell them. "But if you know any single queer guys who are up for a night of fun, send them my way." I wink, then grab my backpack, throwing it over my shoulder. "Are we ready to go, or do I have to sit here and listen to you gossip about my love life some more?"

"We're ready," Hailey says. "But don't think we won't continue this conversation on the bus." The smile that she offers me when she walks by is sweet and deadly at the same time.

Note to self: do not get on that girl's bad side.