The Playmaker (A Big Play Novel Book 1) by Jordan Ford Page A

Mack and I will be driving out of here together.
    Finn decided in July that he wants to do a building apprenticeship with his dad, which means he won’t be coming to Boise State like we talked about. Tyler is a junior, so he doesn’t have to stress for at least another year. Either way, this time next year, I won’t be standing on Mr. Riley’s field, drinking beer with my boys.
    New sets of headlights appear down the road as a steady stream of partygoers arrives. They park on the verge and clamber out of their vehicles, jumping the fence with various whoops and cheers. Everyone seems more excited than usual. It’s our first real bonfire of the season.
    I spot Tori climbing the fence with a grumpy-looking Amy. She holds her friend’s arm as they stumble through the grass together. The twilight casts a glow on Tori’s face. She has her hair tied in this long braid over her left shoulder, but it isn’t enough to tame her wild locks. A few loose curls have broken free and frame her face. She blows one off her cheek, then giggles at something Amy says.
    A sharp twang pinches my stomach and I look away. Maybe inviting her was a really bad idea. She looks too cute and innocent to be hanging out with the likes of us. It doesn’t help that she’s covered her body in clothing that once again shows off her curves. The tank hugging her torso looks soft. I can picture my hands running over it, feeling the smooth fabric…and the firm body beneath it.
    What the hell?
    Why am I even thinking that shit?
    She’s here for Mack , and I said I’d help her get him. So far, she’s playing this all perfectly. I told her to wear something that would draw the eye and she has. Now all she has to do is strike up a little football talk and she’ll be on her way.
    I look across the field again and notice that she’s slowed her approach. The duo lingers by a patch of trees that hides them in the shadows. A frown pushes my eyebrows together. What are they doing? I thought she wanted to flirt with the quarterback.
    I narrow my eyes and peer through the growing darkness, convinced she’s watching our group. Checking that the guys aren’t looking, I flick my head at her, beckoning her to move a little closer.
    She hesitates then takes a step forward. My lips fight a smile as I get a clear shot of her nervous expression. She wrings her hands then shoves them into her pockets after a whisper from Amy.
    I glance at my friends again. They’re engrossed in some post-game convo, so I stare back at Tori and give her a pointed look.
    “Get over here,” I mouth and point at the back of Mack’s shirt.
    Her face creases with a skittish smile and I jerk my arm, summoning her for the final time. With a little huff, she pulls back her shoulders and strides over to the edge of the fire, which is now roaring behind me. I turn to look down at her. The heat from the flames warms my skin.
    “Say hi,” I whisper out the side of my mouth. “Ask for a beer.”
    “But I don’t want beer,” she whispers back.
    “Doesn’t matter, ask for one anyway. You can dump it in the grass when he’s not looking.”
    “Fine.” She flashes me a toothy grin and brushes past me.
    She smells like vanilla again.
    “Hey, guys.” Her voice quivers with nerves while Amy mutters beside me, “I don’t know if I can watch this.”
    I give her a sharp glare before turning my attention back to Tori and her potential train wreck.
    “Uh, hey, Pixie Girl.” Finn gives her a confused smile, but it soon turns genuine when she waves her fingers at him.
    She clears her throat then starts fidgeting with her long necklace, running the aqua stone pendant up and down the chain. “So, those are big red cups. You must get a lot of beer in those things. You guys must drink a lot of beer after a game. Do you like beer? I mean, is it good for you to drink after a game? I’m guessing it’s okay. You guys wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t, right?” Her laughter is breathy and