His Leading Lady Read Free Page B

pride in her smile.
    The Wildcats took the ball a few yards before
the runner was taken down. It didn’t take long for them to lose
possession. One interception by a defenseman, and it was the
Gambler’s turn to drive to the goal line again.
    “Do you think Mark’ll get to play?” Penny
asked.
    “Yep. Looks like they’re sending him in.” Sue
said, pointing to number fifteen pushing to his feet. “Coach
usually sends in the second string for some practice when they’re
way ahead.”
    A little thrill shot through Penny when Mark
glanced at her for a second before covering his sunny, blond hair
with his helmet and trotting onto the field. Her heart thumped, and
her palms went damp. Suddenly, Mark’s performance mattered. She
hardly knew him, but she wanted him to succeed. Not just to best
the obnoxious, full-of-himself Darvin Sweetwater, but to win out
because he was good, the best. He seemed so nice, so real.
    Her gaze was riveted to the field, and she
held her breath. If he’s good, he’ll become more famous than I
am. She smiled at the image of being interrupted at dinner by
people asking for his autograph. The huddle broke, and Penny
focused her thoughts and attention on Mark.
     
    ****
     
    Mark nodded once to Penny, then put his
helmet on and ran out on the field. His pulse quickened. Playing
was enough of a thrill, but doing it in front of the girl who’d
captured his dreams night after night was the chance of a lifetime.
He uttered a silent prayer his offensive line would protect him
long enough for him to get off a great pass.
    He made eye contact with his friend, Harley
Brennan, a wide receiver. Harley grinned a knowing smile and
glanced at the stands. Mark raised his eyebrows for a second before
calling the play. When the ball was snapped, Mark’s total
concentration was on the game. He dropped back. The line held long
enough for him to fire a shot at Gam Leadbetter, who was about
fifteen yards out and not covered. Gam plucked the ball out of the
air and ran for a few more yards before he was brought down.
    Adrenaline surged through Mark’s veins. He
was so focused, he didn’t even hear the crowd cheering. When the
huddle broke, he handed the ball off to Harley, who ran for twelve
more yards for another first down. Mark was pumped.
    Again, they huddled. This time, one of their
tackles slipped up, and Wyoming’s middle linebacker broke through
the line. He was enormous and charging straight for Mark.
    Before he even blinked, his football instinct
kicked in. Mark faked right, then cut left, sidestepped the
defender diving for him, and took off. Finding a hole in the
defense, he ran for eleven yards then slid in just before being
tackled.
    The crowd went wild. Mark could do no wrong.
Smart enough not to let his luck go to his head, he calmly broke
the huddle and took the ball back for another throw. Again, he
landed a bullet, this time in Harley’s arms. Touchdown!
    A warm feeling of satisfaction traveled
through him. A peek at the stands confirmed that Penny, on her feet
cheering, had seen it all. Mike Stockton loped on the field to kick
for the extra point. Mark headed for the bench. He removed his
helmet and sank down on the seat.
    “Don’t let a few lucky plays go to your head,
Davis, you douche bag,” Darvin said.
    “Luck had nothing to do with it.”
    “Call me when you get to my level, in about
ten years.”
    “Go fuck yourself.”
    A stern look from the coach silenced Mark.
Darvin made a face behind the coach’s back. I’m not going to let
this asshole take away my victory. Turning his head, Mark
directed his gaze toward the stands again. Penny was watching him.
He lifted his hand in a brief wave, and she smiled. Darvin turned
to see who Mark was looking at.
    “You fucking piece of shit! She’s mine.”
    “In your dreams,” Mark said.
    “She was my date.”
    “Shut the hell up, and watch the game!” the
coach growled at the two quarterbacks.
    Mark faced forward, returning his