End Zone

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the practice field, the air thick with the scent of freshly cut grass and the distant echoes of whistles. Jade Rivera stood at the edge of the turf, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, eyes narrowed at the scene unfolding before her. The boys’ varsity football team was wrapping up their drills, their laughter and shouts grating against her nerves.

“You’re really going through with this?” Cam asked, his voice low and tinged with concern. He adjusted his glasses, glancing nervously between Jade and the players.

Jade’s jaw tightened. “Damn right, I am.”

Her gaze locked onto Maddox Carter, the star quarterback whose name was synonymous with arrogance. He was all effortless charm and infuriating talent, the kind of guy who coasted on his abilities and expected the world to applaud. And he did it all with that smug grin plastered on his face.

She’d had enough of it.

Maddox caught sight of her, his smirk widening as he sauntered over, helmet tucked under his arm. “Well, well, if it isn’t Rivera. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Jade took a step forward, ignoring the flutter of nerves in her stomach. “I heard you’ve been running your mouth about my team.”

He feigned innocence, a hand pressed to his chest. “Me? Talk about the flag football team? Why would I waste my breath?”

“Cut the crap, Maddox,” she snapped. “You think we’re a joke. I’m here to set you straight.”

The other players had started to gather, sensing the brewing confrontation. Whispers floated through the air, anticipation crackling like electricity.

Maddox tilted his head, eyes gleaming with amusement. “And how do you plan to do that?”

“One-on-one,” Jade challenged, her voice steady. “First to three touchdowns. Unless you’re scared you’ll get shown up by a girl.”

A collective “ooh” rose from the onlookers. Cam muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like a prayer.

Maddox’s smirk faltered for a split second before he chuckled. “Alright, Rivera. But when I win, you and your team show up to our next game wearing our jerseys.”

Jade’s eyes narrowed. “And when I win, you publicly acknowledge that my team is just as skilled as yours. No more trash talk.”

He extended his hand, the challenge sparking between them. “Deal.”

She grasped his hand firmly, the contact sending an unexpected jolt through her. Pulling away, she turned to Cam. “You’re my witness.”

Cam sighed, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “This is either the bravest or the dumbest thing you’ve ever done.”

“Maybe both,” Jade muttered, her eyes never leaving Maddox’s. “But it’s time someone put him in his place.”

The air was thick with tension. Word had spread fast—by the time Jade and Maddox stepped onto the field, a small crowd had gathered. Players from both teams, random students who had stuck around after school, even a few cheerleaders whispering behind their pom-poms. All of them here to witness the game that should’ve never happened.

Maddox rolled his shoulders, stretching out his arms like he had all the time in the world. “You sure you wanna do this, Rivera?” His voice was smooth, lazy, like this was all a joke to him. “Wouldn’t want you crying when you lose.”

Jade scoffed, adjusting the flag belt around her waist. “Funny. I was about to say the same thing to you.”

A few oohs echoed from the sidelines. Maddox only grinned. “Alright, sweetheart. Let’s see what you got.”

First to three touchdowns. No excuses. No mercy.

Cam stood at the center of the field, reluctantly taking on the role of ref. “Alright, Jade starts on offense,” he announced, glancing between them like he was already regretting his life choices. “Let’s keep it clean. No tackling, no bullshit.”

Jade smirked. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Maddox just winked. “No promises.”

Cam sighed. “Three… two… one—go!”

Jade took off.

Maddox was fast, but Jade was faster. She juked left, then right, sending him stumbling for just a second—just enough time to cut up the field. The ball was tucked against her chest as she sprinted, adrenaline surging through her veins.

Ten yards.

Five yards.

Almost there—

A blur of movement.

Maddox lunged.

Jade twisted, narrowly avoiding his reach as she dove into the end zone, flags still intact.

Touchdown.

The crowd erupted.

Jade pushed herself up, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she shot Maddox a smug grin. “What was that about me crying?”

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head with a smirk. “Alright, Rivera. I see you.”

1-0.

The second play was different.

Maddox had possession now, and he played dirty—not in a rule-breaking way, but in the way that made Jade grind her teeth. Smooth footwork, sudden stops, the kind of movement that made it impossible to predict where he’d go next.

She lunged for his flag. He spun.

Jade cursed under her breath, pivoting fast, but he was already sprinting.

Touchdown.

Maddox turned, jogging backward with a grin as he tossed the ball in the air and caught it effortlessly. “You were saying?”

Jade narrowed her eyes. 1-1.

By the time they each had another touchdown, the air between them was charged. Jade could feel the heat rising—not just from the game, but from the way Maddox looked at her now. The way his expression shifted from cocky to something else. Something almost… intrigued.

But she refused to let herself get distracted. Not now.

Final play.

Maddox had the ball. Jade had one shot to stop him.

He moved fast, but this time, Jade was ready. She mirrored his footwork, stayed low, kept her eyes locked on his waist—not his shoulders, not his feet. She could read him now.

He feinted left. She didn’t take the bait.

He cut right. She was already there.

His eyes flickered with something—realization, maybe.

Too late.

Jade lunged, hand snapping forward—

Her fingers brushed the fabric of his flag, yanking it free just before he crossed the line.

Whistles blew. The crowd roared.

Game over.

Jade stood there, heart hammering, Maddox’s flag clenched in her fist.

Maddox looked down, hands on his hips, chest rising and falling. Then, he laughed—a deep, low sound that sent an unexpected shiver down Jade’s spine.

“Damn,” he muttered, shaking his head. When he looked up, his green eyes locked onto hers, something unreadable flickering beneath the surface. “Didn’t see that coming.”

Jade smirked, tossing the flag at his chest. “Guess you should start paying attention, Carter.”

The crowd was still buzzing as Cam walked up, shaking his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you actually won.”

“Was there ever any doubt?” Jade shot back, stretching her arms over her head.

Maddox exhaled, running a hand through his hair. Then, to Jade’s utter shock, he smirked. “Alright, Rivera. A deal’s a deal.”

He turned, facing the crowd, and raised his hands. “Jade Rivera is legit. The girls’ team is the real deal. Y’all better put some respect on their name.”

Cheers erupted. Jade expected to feel satisfaction. Instead, all she could focus on was the way Maddox was still looking at her.

Like he really saw her now.

And that? That was way more dangerous than any game.