22

The only thing that I wanted to feel was him. I scanned the horizon for any signs of people. When I was certain that that were no peeping toms nearby, I lay on top of Brandon and enveloped his lips in a passionate kiss.

Then I lowered myself to his neck, kissing away at all the taut muscles. I traced my fingers along his chest, reaching down to his shorts.

“Baby!” he gasped. “Not here. My house is right there. My parents might be watching,” he said.

I got off him and lay in the sand, laughing at his concern.

 

   

Changed, dry, and tired, we were headed to my house in Brandon’s truck.

“Eventful day,” he said.

“And now you’re going to return the favor. Come meet my mom,” I said.

“Are you sure we can’t do it any other day? I’m high-key nervous. Last time your mom and I met, she told me to stay away,” he said.

“Well, that was because of me. She doesn’t bear you any ill will. Come in and see,” I said, holding him by the hand and dragging him inside my house.

“Mom!” I called as I entered the house with Brandon.

Mom was in the kitchen, donning an apron, and cutting away vegetables at the chopping board.

“And who might this be?” Mom called from the kitchen.

“Hi, Mrs. Hawkins,” Brandon said nervously.

“Oh, hello there,” Mom said as she emerged from the kitchen. “I believe we’ve met.”

“Under different circumstances,” Brandon said nervously.

“Mom, meet my boyfriend, Brandon. Brandon, meet the woman who birthed me into this world,” I said.

“You sure are a charming young man,” my mom said as she planted a kiss on Brandon’s cheek and then gave him a quick hug. “And how is my Alice treating you?”

“She couldn’t be more perfect,” Brandon said.

“I like him. Don’t you let this one go,” she said as she winked at me. “You kids go freshen up while I finish this salad. Dinner’s in fifteen! Brandon, charmed to meet you. I can’t wait to get to know more about you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine, Mrs. Hawkins,” Brandon said, smiling at her.

“We’ll be here in fifteen,” I said as I grabbed Brandon by the forearm and took him upstairs to my room.

“Mmhmm,” my mom said as she headed into the kitchen, letting us know that she knew what we were going to do.

All was well. It really was. As I let Brandon into my bedroom, as I lay him down on my bed, and as I resumed our making-out session from the lakeside, I thanked whatever forces there were for making everything well. I hadn’t had a vision in a long while. For the first time, I was not scared or nervous about the future. I was just content, being here with Brandon.

Why had I even resisted in the first place? Just because of a stupid vision? Sometimes, Alice, you can be such an idiot.

12

Brandon

I was Tom Brady as I ran with the ball. Hell, I was Peyton Manning in the final minute of the match. I was not listening to the roar of the crowd in the bleachers. I could not see my opponents. The scoreboard was a massive blur. All I knew was this: We win this match against the Urbana Tigers and we’d each get a scholarship offer from the University of Chicago. We win this and we’d be crowned the Rapid Falls Kings. And all that stood between me, and my goals was one touchdown.

My team had been tackled by the Urbana Tigers. I ran alone, followed by the Tiger’s defense. Although my focus was unbroken, the deafening din of the crowd finally reached my ears. It built up as I neared the line.

The Tigers had given us a run for our money with their fair share of field goals and safeties. Earlier, before the match had begun, the coach had taken my team to the bleachers and pointed to where the scouts from different universities would be sitting.

“They decide your future. They make sure that the next four years of your life go smoothly. You win this, you make me damn proud. You lose, I never wanna see your sorry asses ever again, which isn’t saying much considering the school year’s about to come to an end. But you get the gist! Now go win me this match,” he’d said.

And win him this match I will, I decided.

Every muscle in my body was on fire. I was drenched in sweat, struggling to keep afloat. Only a few steps to go and I’d win. I’d score a touchdown. It had to be a touchdown.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see two Tigers approaching me, ready to pounce, as it were, and end the game in their favor.

I closed my eyes, zoning everything out. At that final moment, I leaped into the air. I could hear the sound of the two Tigers collapsing into each other and falling. I heard the crowd cheering my name as I landed on the other side of the line.

When I opened my eyes, blue fireworks were lighting up the sky. I was being lifted on the shoulders of my teammates. The coach was below us, yelling profanities and celebrating in his own wild way, spanking our asses, screaming at the top of his voice.

When I was finally put down on my feet, instead of rushing to where they were handing out the trophy, I raced for the bleachers where Alice stood cheering, her face painted blue with the colors of our school.

“Did you see that?” I screamed over the noise.

“That was crazy!” she yelled back. “What are you doing here? Go get your trophy!”

I didn’t listen to her. Instead, with the eyes of the world upon me, I reached forward, plucked her chin in my hands, and kissed her deeply, giving the crowd a second reason to cheer.

I was yanked free of the kiss by my team members. Together, we rushed the field to where they were handing out the trophy. In a blaze of glory, we lifted the trophy over our heads and howled loudly.

I had prepared for this match for the entirety of last year. And now, I had won.