Unbreakable (Accidental Crush #3) (23 page)

The way it works is they go down the line one at a time and announce each player and what school he is signing with before they actually sign. Everyone is seated in alphabetical order, so Mark is first.

Mark is a great player and has a ton of offers. The guys are practically leaning over the table to see what his decision will be. A few guys at the table shout his name as it’s called, and there are even a few shouts from people in the audience. I see his mom and feel my cheeks start to burn, thinking about the last time I saw her—well, almost saw her.

“Mark Conner will be singing with ...” Coach W.’s voice cuts through the crowd, and then he looks over at Mark who gives him a head nod. Mark hasn’t told anyone his decision, so you can feel the crowd holding their breath. “… the Florida State Seminoles.”

The crowd erupts as Mark signs the intent to play form and then pulls out an FSU hat, placing it on his head with a giant smile. The boys at the table know they aren’t allowed to get up, but they are all shouting and cheering as Mark hugs the guy next to him.

There are a few more guys who get the same type of accolades, and then it’s Todd’s turn.

“Todd Hamilton. As most of you know, Todd broke his leg on the senior ski trip, which is difficult for any player, but especially when you’re the kicker.”

The crowd chuckles, and there are a few hoots.

“But what speaks volumes of Todd’s character and drive is the fact that his college believes enough in both his ability and talent to stick with him, even with a broken leg. This is definitely a first for Easthaven, and you can just add it to the list of many school records Todd has broken throughout his career. I know he has a lot of work and healing ahead of him, but I also know nothing is going stand in the way of his bright future.”

I swore I was going to hold it together, but I can’t help the tears in my eyes. I’m so proud of him, because I know he’s not only an incredible player, but he’s also an incredible person, and that’s what really matters.

I glance over at Sid to see her wiping tears away, too, and then my eyes land on Todd. I want to always remember the smile on his face in this moment.

“Todd Hamilton is signing with Penn State!”

Every player at the table and everyone in the audience goes crazy as Todd puts on his Penn State hat.

They continue to go down the line, and for each player, the crowd erupts. Ryan is the last one, and the instant he places the Penn State hat on his head, all the guys get up from the table and form a group huddle. The excitement is palpable as the entire room jumps to their feet. It’s official; all three of the boys are going to Penn State!

There is a whirlwind of pictures, interviews, hugs, and tears. Todd is getting a lot of attention from the local media because of his “story.” There is even someone here from ESPN, because we have so many kids signing.

“So what’s next for you, Todd?” the ESPN reporter asks.

Todd’s eyes somehow find mine in the group standing off to the side
.

“Just taking it one step at a time.” He gives me a small smile and then goes right back to the interview. No one else knows what that means to us.

After an hour or two, most people have cleared out. I see Todd sitting on one of the auditorium chairs with his leg propped up. He’s talking to someone I don’t recognize. He starts to get up, but the person gestures for him to stay put, and they shake hands. Then the mystery man heads over to Coach W.

“So it’s official,” I say as I slide into a chair in the row behind him.

I can sense his smile even though he isn’t facing me. “It’s official.” He turns his body so he can see me.

“Congratulations. That was a pretty amazing speech Coach W. gave.” I give him a warm smile.

He looks down and shakes his head with a subtle grin. “Yeah, it was nice of him.”

“Who was that you were talking to?”

“That was the Penn State team doc. He’s a great guy. It was nice of him to make the trip.”

“Does he usually come to stuff like this?”

“No. He said this was his first one, but since he was so involved in everything, he wanted to be here. Cool, huh?”

I give him a smile. “Yeah, pretty cool.” I lean in closer. “Hey, I like your hat.”

“Oh, really?” He raises his eyebrows as he leans in closer to me. I know that look. I love that look.
Then
he turns the hat around so it’s backward and leans in to kiss me. The entire world melts away. It’s a world-melting kiss that takes all of the stress and questions about the future with it.

Chapter 20: New Routines

ASHLEY

My phone buzzes with a text from Todd.

No more cast. Lunch at St. Francis?

I can’t help laughing, which is bad because I’m in homeroom, and we aren’t technically allowed to use our phones. Luckily, my teacher is usually oblivious, or at least pretends to be.

Yes! But can you drive yet?
I try to discreetly type back, preferring to avoid detention.

Not yet, but you can.

I have two weeks
,
I type from under my desk.

Just meet me.

I smile and shake my head. He’s crazy. It’s true; I take my learners permit test on my birthday in two weeks. Two weeks!

TODD

When I see Ash walking up to the truck, the smile on her face is incredible. She’s already shaking her head, making it clear she’s uncomfortable with this, but too bad.

I start to reach for my crutches so I can meet her halfway, but then realize I don’t have them anymore. It feels strange to walk without them.

As soon as I’m close enough, I dangle the keys in front of her. “Let’s go.”

She presses her lips together and gives me a look like she’s actually contemplating it. “Fine.” She grabs the keys. “Let’s go.” She gives me a wicked smile. I love this rule-breaking Ashley.

She turns back before she jumps up into the driver’s seat. “The no cast look is good on you.”

I wore shorts today because it’s warm, and I figured it would be easier to remove the cast. Plus, this was going to be my lunch plan all along. I have wanted to do this for weeks, but jumping up into Mark’s truck with my cast and crutches would have been tough.

“It looks smaller,” she says as I slide into the passenger seat next to her.

“What does?” I follow her gaze to my right leg. It is definitely smaller and whiter than my other leg. It looks pretty pathetic, actually. “Well, I’m not at all self-conscious about it, so thanks for bringing that up.” I nudge closer to her. “Don’t make fun of my tiny leg,” I say with a smile.

“You’re the one wearing shorts. You asked for it.” She gives me an evil grin then leans over to kiss me. “I’m just kidding. It’s good to see your leg again.” She places her hand on my newly exposed leg and slides it up, getting very close to a place where a) she shouldn’t get anywhere near in the school parking lot, and b) if she gets any higher, we won’t be going anywhere.

I remove her hand from my leg and place it on the steering wheel. “Just drive, woman.”

“Okay, but I need help. I’ve never driven a truck before.”

ASHLEY

Todd slides over so his left leg is touching my right. He’s so close that he can press the pedal if he needs to. Then he places his hands over mine on the steering wheel.

“Okay, put it in reverse.” With each motion, he guides my hands with his over mine.

“I’m doing it!” I shout as we pull onto the main road.

“You’re doing great.” He leans his chin so it rests in the crook of my neck as he guides my every move gently, slowly, sensually.

Who knew a driving lesson could be so intimate? Touching him is amazing; having him this close is incredible; and actually driving with him guiding me is exhilarating.

“This is nice.”

“Yeah?” he says as he grabs my hand and moves it to turn on the blinker. “You’re doing great.” He kisses my neck, his breath tickling my skin and sending shivers through my entire body.

“Don’t distract the driver.” I giggle. I can barely concentrate with him this close. I’m going to lose all sense of reason if he kisses my neck again.

“I’m sorry. I can’t help it.” He slides even closer, wrapping his arms around me so both of his hands are once again covering mine on the steering wheel, his chin finding the nook.

“You’re a good teacher. You should think about opening up your own driving school. Todd’s Kiss and Drive or Todd’s Turn it On.”

“You’re a funny one. Speaking of turns, turn here.” He guides my hands through the turn on the steering wheel.

We are now on the familiar dirt road leading to the opening—aka the secret field that I’m not supposed to know about.

Todd moves his leg so it’s overlapping mine. “Now gun it,” he says as his foot presses down on the gas pedal.

The speedometer goes from thirty to sixty in seconds, sending us flying down the empty dirt road. Our speed is kicking up dust clouds all around us. It’s a feeling of such freedom while being fully in control. We are both laughing as we press harder on the pedal.

“Let’s see what Francis’s truck can do,” Todd shouts over the roar of the engine. “He owes me.” He laughs.

We’re at seventy, eighty, and there is nothing but open road ahead and wide fields surrounding us. I feel so dangerous yet so safe with him. It’s a feeling I never want to forget and I never want to end.

Todd releases his foot, but I keep mine pressed down.

“Okay, Mario Andretti,” he says as he wraps his arms around my waist. “We’re here.” He gestures to the lake straight ahead.

“We made it,” I say as I press hard on the brake, and we come to an abrupt stop, jerking us both forward.

“We sure did. You were amazing. Well, maybe except for that last part.” Todd leans over with a smile, and the rest is history. I have missed this routine, this truck, this field, doing this.

***

For the last few weeks, the opening has become our lunch time ritual. I didn’t realize how much I missed it.

Todd can officially drive, and I officially have my learner’s permit, so he usually lets me drive, which is great practice. Gunning it as soon as we hit the dirt road is also part of our daily routine. Although, as far as driving goes, it’s great preparation for pretty much nothing, other than being fun. Mark has commented on how dirty the truck is a few times. I’m pretty sure he knows where we have been going, but I think he still feels guilty, and Todd has no issues playing that card, a lot.

Todd started physical therapy after school, and when he’s not there, he’s at the football field practicing. He’s quickly re-building the strength in his leg.

Our new after-school routine is me doing my homework at the field until swim team starts up again, while he practices. When we’re not at the football field, we go over to the baseball field to watch their practice. It’s fun to see Ryan and Brian in action. I pretend not to be too interested since I know Todd wishes he was out there, but the doctors felt it was too big a risk, and he needs to work on his leg strength for the fall. I secretly love every second, because I get to spend more time with him, and he’s great at explaining the game, way better than Ryan or my dad, who usually get annoyed a minute into their explanation.

Since no one is using the football field right now, it’s just me and Todd on the field and a few people hanging out on the bleachers. With my books sprawled out on our wool blanket, I’m lying on my stomach so I can watch him kick and read at the same time.

Being here with him in the afternoons has taught me a lot about football. I have learned how to hold the ball for him, which took a while, but I totally have it now. At the moment, he’s using a kicking stand so I’m off the hook. It’s only been a few weeks, but I think he’s already back to where he was before the accident. He doesn’t think so, but I know he is.

The strength in his leg is incredible. His motion is fluid, effortless. He does his hop and then nails it, sending it flying through the air and right through the uprights.

I have grown to know the sound the ball makes when he kicks it perfectly versus a little off. It’s hard to concentrate on what I’m supposed to be reading, because I can’t stop watching him.

The ball soars through the air again and again. He has his headphones in, and he’s deep in concentration. God, watching him makes me want him right here, on this wool blanket, in the middle of the field, on school grounds, with random people on the bleachers. I don’t care about any of it; I just want him.

“Ash. Ashley? Ash-ley,” I hear his voice. I was in such a daze I didn’t even notice he walked over here to get water.

He plops down on our blanket, his hair drenched with sweat, and he gives me his crooked smile as he pulls the neck of his shirt over his face to wipe off the sweat.

“You looked great out there.”

“Thanks.” He squirts water into his mouth. “I made a fifty yarder.” He smiles.

“That’s awesome. And it’s only been four weeks.”

“Yup.” He slides his hand down my back. “Want to help me pick up my balls?” He grins devilishly.

“Why, yes, I would love to grab your balls,” I say with the same sly smile.

“That’s why I love you.” He helps me up. “I’ll race you.” He gives me a childish grin. Everything is always a game with him.

“No,” I say as if I’m annoyed, but then take off into a full sprint.

“Unfair. Offsides!” he shouts as he runs at full speed behind me.

“Oh, please. It’s totally fair,” I shout back to him. He’s already at my heels, he’s so fast. Jerk.

He wraps his arms around me from behind, and I almost trip from the momentum, but he catches me. Then he turns me around so we are facing each other. With his face inches from mine, I can feel his cool breath on my lips from the cold water he just drank.

His lips. They make me do things I never thought I would.

I can’t wait any longer. I step up on my tiptoes and press my lips into his.

“Unfair interference,” I whisper into our kiss then push off him. “Come on, I thought we were picking up balls.”

“Oh, okay?” Todd grabs a ball near him. “Go long. Let’s see if it runs in the Taylor genes.” He throws the ball in a perfect spiral.

I run to catch it, and it lands right in my hands.

“Yeah, baby! This is not my first rodeo!” I shout over to him.

“Nice. You should go out for the team. They’re going to need another Taylor,” he shouts back to me from across the field as he starts to pick up the balls.

“I’ve already got a sport, thanks, and it doesn’t involve tackling each other or any other bodily contact.”

“I think Casey feels differently,” he says back with aloofness.

I stop for a second. He hasn’t uttered his name in a long time.

“Well, no more Casey now that I’m officially on the Trojan swim team.” I try to concentrate on picking up as many balls as I can hold in my arms. Then I look over, and he’s already got all of his picked up and he’s walking up to meet me in the middle of the field.

“Finally.” He leans down and kisses me, causing me to drop all of the balls I already picked up.

“Again, unfair interference.” I smile up at him.

He gives me that crooked smile and leans back down to kiss me. Then he helps me start to pick up the balls I dropped.

“I think you missed one.” He hands it to me as he steps closer.

“Thanks,” I say, looking down at it.

Written in pink marker with big giant letters it says:
PROM
?

I don’t say a word, only step up on my tiptoes and bring him down closer to me. Then I stand on one of the footballs still on the ground so I can reach his amazing lips. I can’t kiss him deep enough to let him know how much this means to me.

“Is that a yes?” he asks when we finally pull back for air.

“Yes! Of course it’s a yes!”

“Surprised?”

I look back down at the ball. It’s so perfect, so simple. I nod my head.

He lifts my chin so our eyes lock then runs his thumbs over my cheeks. I lose all track of time, where we are, what we’re doing. I get lost in his gorgeous, blue-green eyes. I could stand here forever with him.

TODD

I can’t get enough of her; her eyes, her smile. I’m so in love with this girl. I never thought I could care about someone as much as I care about her. I get lost in her beautiful, brown eyes; the freckles on her nose; and her incredible hair. I could stand here forever with her.

“I love you,” I say softly, not wanting to move. I don’t want this moment to end. I’m so happy she is surprised and said yes.

The smile that breaks across her lips takes my breath away, surpassing all of my hopes for this moment. I love her smile. It’s so genuine. I hope I can always make her this happy.

“I love you, too,” she says softly and then kisses me.

Success.