Chapter 25: The Ride Ahead
The stadium lights blazed over the field, May’s dusk fading to a roar—crowd packed, air thick with sweat and cheers. I stood on the bleachers, heart pounding, Ellie beside me waving a foam finger she’d nabbed from some kid. Jake was down there—pads on, helmet gleaming, back for his first game since Rico’s fall. Coach’s whistle cut sharp, and he lined up—quarterback, alive again. “Ryder’s got this,” Ellie yelled, pink hair wild, nudging me. “You’re his luck, Mia!” “Hope so,” I shouted back, grinning, eyes locked on him. The snap came—ball flew, Jake dodged a tackle, arm arcing—and Tyler caught it, sprinting, turf tearing under his cleats. Touchdown—crowd erupted, me loudest, voice raw as Jake pumped a fist, finding me in the stands, his grin cutting through the chaos. Game rolled—close,
- Writer
