19. Cal

Chapter Song: Burn the House Down- AJR

She was here. That was all that mattered.

I saw her when we ran out onto the field instantly. She sat with Tyler and Riley laughing. The way she laughed made me smile like an idiot. Even if it wasn't me making her smile, I was glad that she was. She looked damn good in that beanie. I wish it were mine that she was wearing.

We'd been trying to play it cool since I stupidly kissed her. Not once but twice. It was worth it both times. I wanted to do it again and again. Kissing her made the world melt away, and all my problems disappear. She felt so soft in my arms and I wanted to keep holding her.

I just couldn't keep playing these games with myself or with her. She never deserved it. She was too good for me anyway. That's why I was so invested in this whole thing. It was motivation.

Throughout the game, I kept looking for her in the stands as if she would get up and leave. I should have been focused on what I was doing, but I just couldn't. Anytime I would look at her she was biting her nails on the edge of her seat. Her brows would be furrowed or she would ball her fists together and lean against them.

It was so cute to see how into it she was. I wish she would have been able to come to these more often. She used to come to them all the time, but then she became too cool for us. In reality, it was that she was too good of a swimmer to lose focus.

I thought of all the things I would tease her about as if I was sitting right next to her. Maybe that was how I ended up on the snowy grass groaning in pain.

I tried to get up immediately but I sucked in a deep breath and cried out in agony. I tried to twist my body over but got the same feeling. I bit my tongue to focus on anything else but the pain in my side. I needed to get up. I wanted to get up. I had to play. We had to win.

I could hear the outrage and clinking of gear further away from me. There was so much yelling. At me, at everyone around me, in the stands. It was madness. I didn't know who to concentrate on.

"McCormick how bad is it?" I heard one of my coaches ask. I responded with a groan.

"I'll grab the alternate and tell the refs that were subbing." Another one quickly said.

"No!" I gritted my teeth.

"McCormick you need to get up then," Sanders assured me. When I didn't move I heard him sigh and get up.

I overheard whispers from him and the ref although I couldn't make out what they said. I knew what they were talking about.

"I can play I can play." I groaned."I'm good!"

I placed my hands on the ground in front of me slowly pushing off. I cried out in pain but slowly forced myself up. Finally, when I stood I looked for her again.

She wasn't sitting next to Riley or Ty anymore. I kept looking through the crowd trying to find her angelic face. I sighed in relief when I spotted her. She was up against the gate gripping it if her life depended on it. I could tell she was worried. The fear was plastered all over her face. I couldn't help but smile.

I stood straight up and breathed in heavily. If I focused on my breathing I could ignore the pain. More than anything I wanted to punch the guys that checked me like that. This team was dirty alright, and I was tired of their shit. At least they got benched for the rest of the game. Even if there was a quarter left and half of our team was ready for another brawl.

After some careful consideration and a little bit of persuasion, I got everyone to agree to let me finish playing. It probably wasn't the best idea considering I was wincing anytime I moved. I couldn't, not play in this game. It was too damn important to give up now.

I forced myself to run and shoot the ball around anyways. We went back and forth throwing the ball trying to avoid the other team. Anytime we scored they scored, and every time it pissed me off.

I blocked out the roaring fans and our screaming coaches. I took one look at Liam and he nodded while running across the field. By a twist of fate, he was able to stick their player knocking the ball out of his net. I ran closer towards him and away from the goal that I should have stayed at.

He tossed it to me running closer towards the goal, and I tossed it back to him. We were so fast about it the other team had no idea what was going on or who had the ball. We kept passing it towards each other as we made our way down the field. The net was in clear distance. I called for Liam, to motion that I was open but I didn't think he could hear me over the crowd. Finally, I caught his eyes, and he threw the ball.

One of my teammates checked the other team and they came crashing down in front of me. I couldn't let them distract me from catching this ball. I had to catch it. I reached my arms to the side of me twisting and flinching in pain.

I felt the slightest weight add to my stick, and I knew it was there I didn't even have to look. I took one more breath and sailed it across the field. There was a moment of silence as the ball sailed through the air. I held my breath until it flew past their goalie.

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. The team came crashing into me, and I couldn't help but laugh and cheer with them, no matter how bad I was hurting. The hot and sweaty bodies closed in. Crushing my side sending pain throughout my entire body. I didn't care though.

As much as I loved these guys I didn't want to be this close to them. They kind of smelled. Plus there was someone else I wanted to celebrate with. I couldn't help but let out a small sigh knowing I shouldn't be thinking like that. I snapped out of my thoughts as soon as I saw the crowds beginning to storm the field.

Instantly I knew I had to find her. I'd celebrate with the team at Riley's. Liam told me about the victory party, and I knew it would be a good one. Especially tonight. That girl could throw a party.

I hobbled out of the group hug and sighed when I felt the cold air hit. It was colder against my sweat-soaked uniform. I needed a shower, and maybe to see the doctor. Those things could wait. I continued to push my way through the crowd until I saw her.

Her soulful brown eyes scanned the perimeter. Probably for Liam. I'd help her, I just had to do something first. Her curls were unruly and knotted in the wind. Luckily the beanie was keeping them somewhat tame. She scanned the crowd with urgency. It looked like she was lost. Her eyes landed on mine and the world made sense.

She let out a sigh of relief closing her eyes. I swore she muttered thank you before crossing the field towards me. I kept my eyes on as I took one painful step in front of the other.  Our eyes never strayed from each other as she ran towards me.

Others came behind me slapping my back with praise. I ignored all of them. If that was rude oh well, I would see them all later. Right now nothing else mattered.

As soon as the distance closed between us she wrapped her arms around me and jumped into my arms like she'd done it a thousand times. I could get used to this. I wanted her arms to stay around me like this for as long as they could.

I slipped my arms around her waist and held her tightly. We embraced in the chaos saying nothing. We never had to. She was the calm in my never-ending storm.

I felt her chin lift up from my chest and I rose my head. I had to look down to see into her eyes, but I would never grow tired of that view. I didn't care what happened next or the aftermath that followed. I just had to.

I pressed my lips against hers. She relaxed under my grip as I moved one of my hands to clutch her face. Her cheeks were freezing against my sweaty hands. I secretly hoped they would warm her up. Our lips continued to collide in perfect sync. She made me forget about all the pain in my body for a brief second. I never wanted it to end. I swore I heard the crowd still cheering even louder now.

Sadly she pulled away. I was breathless but hungry for more. With every touch, she sparked energy in me. When we kissed my whole body caught on fire. I couldn't get enough of it. Of her.

"What now?" she whispered biting her lip. I knew she wasn't talking about the game.

"Oh, Parker what do you do to me?" I sighed running my thumb across her lips. I smiled at her when she kissed my thumb. The things this girl did to me.

"Are you okay?" she asked her eyes never leaving mine.

"Yeah." I winced when she released her legs from around me to stand for herself.

She looked at me slowly lifting her hand waiting for me to give her the okay. I nodded at her removing a stray hair from her face that was attached to her eyelashes. She slowly placed her hand over my jersey. I flinched instantly and she pulled her hand away quickly muttering an apology.

"Hey hey hey it's okay. It's okay," I assured her pulling her in close. I held her there for a few minutes stroking her curls. She smelled like vanilla and a hint of chlorine.

"I didn't mean to," she said again.

"Hey," I pulled her away looking into those big eyes. "I promise I'm fine."

"No, you're not!" She shouted shoving my shoulder. "I saw what happened."

"Just a little playful shove," I winked."C'mon, I need to go get changed before we go to Riley's." I nudged for her to walk with me to the locker rooms.

She started to pout and cross her arms in protest. I couldn't help but laugh. Even that hurt. She was cute when she tried to be angry. I knew she wasn't actually mad, more scared than anything. We both were.

She didn't disagree though. She walked with me letting me put my arm around her shoulders embracing her in my sweat. I felt a little bad she probably couldn't breathe in my stench.

She waited outside as I hurriedly showered and changed in the locker room before meeting her outside. When I approached her I noticed she was shivering. Instantly I felt bad. Maybe I had taken too long.

I came over and wrapped my lettermen around her shoulders and a goofy smile grew on her face. She gave me a quizzical look as the smile disappeared.

"It means we're kind of a thing. You know going steady and all that." I winked at her.

I leaned in and kissed her one more time. It took her by surprise but she still responded. She mirrored my every move. I smiled on her lips. I couldn't help it. I also didn't care who saw us. She was all that mattered. I felt on top of the world.

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Okay so this picture I used for this chapter isn't Lacrosse, but I feel like it was the most relevant to use. It got me in the feels. This chapter was so fun for me to write! I hope you guys like seeing things from Cal's POV.

If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear :)

Thanks for reading!

Xoxo