𝙾𝚌𝚝𝚘𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟼𝚝𝚑, 𝚂𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚍𝚊𝚢
Miles POV

Friday night lights must be a legit thing in California because, I swear, the entire tri-state area is here at the field tonight.

I tuck my hands into my pockets and follow the crowd toward the bleachers, instinctively protecting my wallet and car keys. I'm not sure if any of these folks are pick-pockets, and I'm not willing to find out.

As I walk towards the field, I keep my chin up, keeping an eye out for familiar faces. I recognize some people from school here and there, a handful of teachers. Roses' dark red hair catches my eye as she bounds up the bleacher stairs, racing down to the student section. But that's not who I'm looking for.

After a second, I realize with a pang that I'm looking for Parker. Mercy, that kid.

Ever since our first interaction, I will admit that I've had the hots for him. But after our recent conversations, seeing him make out with that blonde chick at capture-the-flag, and him witnessing me race a car while stone-cold drunk, I don't think I'm exactly on the table as an option.

I don't blame him for not being interested, except I don't want to be wrong. Maybe there is a glimmer that he could be gay or bi, but I didn't want to be the one to "out" him.

My plan to get guys looks a lot like this: Start a conversation, flirt, throw in some sexual remarks and see how they respond.

That's when things get tricky.

I usually either get guys at a loss for words, so mortified and angry that I would have to hightail the fuck outta there to avoid getting my ass beat.

Other times, I would get guys who threw it right back and checked me out knowingly, curiously, ultimately giving me the green light. Sometimes signals get jacked up in translation, and it's hard to decipher. Still, I usually have an excellent gay-dar (my term for a "gay radar").

So far, Parker is a blurry splotch on that radar. Maybe he is gay, and maybe he isn't. I've seen the way he steals glances at me. Unfortunately, I catch people staring all the time, so that's not exactly reliable information.

I do my best with the information I get.

I bring myself back into reality and slip around a group of girls, gently resting my hand on one of their waists and winking as I pass by. "Sorry, my bad. Excuse me."

The poor girl turns a deep shade of red and starts stammering. I keep walking, especially now that I hear the muffled words of the game announcer introducing the players on the field.

I extend my stride and rush to reach the bleachers, looking up at the seats. It's damn near packed up there already. People are even setting up blankets and chairs on the grass near the field.

What will homecoming look like if this is a regular Friday night game?

Just as I reach the stairs, Roses blond haired boyfriend comes jogging up. I search my head for his name. Something with trees... Oak? Woods? Wait, Forrest.

"Hey, Forrest, right?" I ask as he comes closer and looks up at me.

He smiles politely, showing off his nice teeth. He's kinda cute, in a golden-retriever-puppy sort of way. Not really my type.

"Yeah, and you're Miles. Good to see that you made it, man. It's going to be a hell of a game tonight, you're in for a treat. Hey, have you seen Rose?"

I nod and point down to the student section as I follow him up the bleacher stairs. "I saw her run down that way a few minutes ago."

"Sweet, thanks. I thought that I had lost her. Do you want to come sit by us or something?" Forrest asks, sparing me a glance as we walk together.

I have a feeling that if it weren't for the fact I'm indirectly connected to his friend group, he never would've given me a second look.

"Sure, yeah, that would be sweet," I reply.

Forrest nods and hurries to lead the way. I speed up to keep up with him, looking over at the field as we go. My eyes trace over the line of starters being introduced. I can't pick out Parker from this far away. With a slight twinge of guilt, I realize I never asked him what number he is.

My guilty conscious is swept under the rug as I follow Forrest up another set of stairs to where Rose sits by the rest of their friend group. I nod and greet everyone as I sit on the end of the bench, rubbing my hands together.

Rose is all sunshine and unicorns as she pokes her head around Forrest. "Miles! Hey! Is this your very first Californian high school football game?"

I grin at her enthusiasm and nod. "It is. What numbers are our friends?"

Rose looks towards the field and points as she speaks. "Griffin is number 63, Parker is 11, Joshua is 37, Kendric is 78, and Atlas is 2. Everyone else isn't as relevant."

"Wow, Rose, that team is a cohesive unit. Everyone is relevant," Forrest teases, nudging her with his elbow.

My heart warms with their banter and I turn towards the field, immediately seeking out Parker as the starting lineup takes their places out on the line of scrimmage.

It feels weird to be watching him in his element outside of school. From day one, I've heard nearly every person in that school rave about his skill, but I have yet to see it for myself. Sure, he was fast as hell these past few Friday nights at the parties, but I know that quarterbacks have more talents than just running.

The starting whistle snaps my attention back down to the field, and I recognize Parker's tone as he yells football gibberish to his team. Instantly, the field is in motion. Parker gets the ball and starts to backpedal, hardly giving the field a passing glance before launching the ball straight into Kendrics hands a quarter way down the field.

I grin and clap as the stands explode into cheers with that play because Kendric gains ten yards before being tackled, meaning a beautiful start to the game. I share a few high fives with these new friends around me and look over at Rose.

"I knew he was good, but not that damn good!" I laugh, tipping my head down towards the field to motion at Parker.

She smiles brightly and nods. "I know, right?! He's so modest and never talks about his talent, which is insane. Just wait. He gets better as the game goes on."

I settle back in my seat when she says that so I can watch the next play, my heart racing for Parker. He really is so modest and cute, and his ass looks good in those pants. I have the game as an excuse to keep my eyes on him for the rest of the night.

- - -

I'm in high spirits after the game is over, feeding off of the giddy energy in the air since our team crushed the competition.

It's been 30 minutes since the game ended, and I'm finally heading back to the parking lot after wrapping up my conversation with Rose, Forrest, and a few other new friends. According to them, this was one of the best games our football team has played in a long time. People are already making bets that the team will be winning the big homecoming game.

My thoughts keep bouncing between the game and how Parker played tonight. God, he was a machine out there. Rose wasn't kidding when she said he gets better as the night goes on.

I wonder if that comment stretches to other areas of life.

"You stuck behind? Who are you waiting for? Parker?"

The abrasiveness in those questions make me turn around, curious about who's pinning drama on me.

The figure draws closer, stepping off the school sidewalk and underneath the parking lot lamppost. The light shines on his face, and the accusation suddenly makes sense. Griffin, of course.

He is right for accusing me. It's easy to make the connection since the parking lot cleared so fast now that the game is over, and he knows how much I hang around Parker.

I shrug it off, acting nonchalant. "Nah, man, I'm going to go home. I just got done talking to your sister and friends." I point at Forrests' car as the taillights leave the parking lot.

Griffin nods slowly and stops in front of me, setting down his bag full of football gear. I tense momentarily. I know for a fact that he's not going to be making a move, which is a shame because I never minded his looks. He simply has a shitty attitude.

"What are you actually doing?"

I hesitate, confused when he asks me that. "What are you talking about--"

"Miles, please. Spare me. You know exactly what I'm talking about. I see how you act around Parker, flaunting yourself like a fucking prostitute. Do you seriously like my cousin?"

The world tunnel visions. When I think I've heard it all, people throw more weird shit at me. I almost decide to deflect the conversation, until something in me decides to blurt out the truth.

"If you want me to be totally honest, yeah, bro, I do. But that doesn't--"

"Cut that shit off right now. Don't start trouble for him." Griffin snaps and crosses his arms, looking at me in a way that puts me on edge. For a moment, I'm a kid again, staring at my dad down the barrel of a gun as my secret is hung out to dry.

I raise my eyebrows as his words pierce my heart. I already knew I wouldn't have a chance, but I guess something deep in me didn't want to dismiss the thought completely. It hurts to hear someone telling me otherwise so bluntly.

"What? I haven't even done anything--"

Again, Griffin saves my breath and cuts me off. "That's exactly the point here, dipshit. I wanted to talk to you before you say or do some dumb, gay bullshit that will wreck Parker's life. You can't let people hear that sort of shit in public, especially with his big reputation. Do you know how many schools are lined up to offer him full-ride scholarships as a junior beyond the eleven he's considering?"

My blood runs cold. More full-ride scholarships? I shake my head.

"Six. Fucking, six, dude. We haven't even finished this season yet, and he still has senior year to rake in more. You cannot ruin this for him by tacking on a reputation of being gay or hanging around gay people. Scouts don't want their schools to be represented by fags. You need to be fucking normal around him or don't hang around him at all. Otherwise, I'll fuck you up."

I blink, shocked. Griffin voiced my worst nightmare.

There was never going to be a chance in the first place.

It takes me a second to gather my thoughts cohesively enough to respond.

"I... Yeah, okay. I hear you. I won't say or do anything else. Trust me. This secret will go to the grave," I quietly respond, mimicking locking a box and throwing away the key.

Griffin scowls before picking up his football bag. "Good. You better bring it there, or else."

"Who's bringing what where?"

Griffin and I both turn to look where the voice comes from. Parker is slowly jogging over here, worry lines on his face as he looks between Griffin and me. He is definitely wondering what we, out of all people, had to say to each other.

"Umm..." I start, coming up with a lie. "Bringing a tint catalog to school on Monday. I told him he needed to darken his car's windshield."

Griffin nods in agreement, discreetly casting me a look that screams keep your mouth shut.

I look away.

"Oh, okay. You're not going to Turner's party tomorrow night, are you?" Parker asks, directing the question at me.

I glance at him, and my heart pounds with shame and a hint of loss. For fucks sake, I was never even dating him, and it already hurts to know I lost him. If anything, a party is exactly what I need after tonight.

"I dunno, I probably will. I don't have anything better to do this weekend." I shrug.

A quick, concerned look passes over Parker's face so fast I almost think I imagined it.

"Huh, okay. Maybe I'll find you, and you know, make sure you don't consume unhealthy amounts of alcohol again."

I laugh a little, purposely avoiding Griffin's gaze because he's most likely trying to mentally tell me fuck off.

Before I can come up with another way to brush Parker away, Griffin jumps in. "That depends on if we even go. I might stay home this weekend. I got some shit to do."

Parker laughs in a way that makes my blood run hot. I purposely stuff my hands in my pockets.

"Please, since when do you have stuff to do on the weekend?" Parker retorts back at him before giving me a soft smile. "I guess we'll see. See you around, Miles."

I tilt my head up in a way that I hope comes off as calm and collected. "You know you will. Hey, great game tonight, guys. You both rocked it. It was fun to watch."

"Thanks. Bye," Griffin says, abruptly ending the conversation as he starts to walk away.

Parker smiles more brightly at me and adjusts the strap of his bag. "Thanks, man. I'm glad that you could come. I thought that I heard you cheering for me at one point."

I smile at his flattery and let my eyes drop over his body. "Damn right, you better have heard. I'll only scream for you."

It's second nature to throw in those suggestive remarks around boys, and it's totally worth it to see how red Parker gets. Before he can respond, Griffin's voice cuts us off.

"Parker! Let's go now!"

Parker turns and gives him a one second hand signal before turning to me. "Sorry, duty calls. Seriously, it was good to see you tonight. Have a good night, Miles."

"Thanks, you too," I mumble and watch him as he jogs away from me, not even bothering to look back.