Lisa Schroeder - The Bridge from You to Me

Before I look for mine, though, I make my way to Benny and give him a big hug. We don’t say a word. We don’t need to. It’s a night to be happy, but there is a hint of sadness here too. Benny should have been out there with us, and we both feel that loss. I’m guessing we probably always will.

“It’s so good to see you,” I tell him. “Man, I’ve missed you.”

“No mushy stuff, Pynes.”

“See you tomorrow?”

He smiles. And sounding just like my old pal Benny, he says, “You can count on that.”

My dad and grandparents find me, going on and on about how well I played and what a fantastic game it was. I give them each a quick hug and tell them there’s something I have to do before it gets too late.

“I understand,” Dad says. “This is your night. Go revel in it.”

I don’t know what he’s thinking I’m going to do, but whatever it is, he’s way off.

I scan the bleachers for her, hoping they didn’t jet off yet. I look and look, but I don’t see them.

“Crap,” I whisper under my breath.

“Pynes?” Temple says. “You okay? Come on, man, it’s just about trophy time.”

“Yeah, all right,” I say. “Be there in a minute.”

I scan one more time for the blue-and-gold hats, but they’re gone.

She’s gone. I’ve missed her.

I turn back around, toward the center of the field, my chest aching like I took a hit there. But of course, that’s not why it hurts.

And then I hear “Colby!” from far away.

I look left and right, but I don’t see her. Where is she?

“Behind you,” she calls out.

I turn around and there she is, on the field, walking toward me.

I start running to her, and as soon as I do, she’s running too.

When we meet, I throw my helmet on the ground, pick her up, and lift her high. She laughs and laughs. As I lower her down, I stop when we’re eye level and hold her there. Then I kiss her like I’ve wanted to kiss her since the first day we met.

With everything I have. With everything I am.

There is no question about this girl. I am all in, one hundred percent.

She tastes salty, like popcorn. Or Bugles.

And suddenly, I’m laughing, remembering how we met and how far we’ve come.

“What?” she asks, smiling. “What is it?”

“I’m just so glad you’re here,” I whisper as her feet touch the ground.

“It’s a two-for-one, you know.”

I give her a funny look. “What is?”

“My being here.”

“How so?”

“Well, I came to watch you play and I came to tell you I’m not leaving. My aunt and uncle asked me to stay and so, I am. They’re going to help me get into college and everything.”

My jaw drops to the turf, and then I’m picking her up again and spinning her around and around, until I finally stop, both of us dizzy.

I kiss her one more time.

“Come on,” I say. “There’s someone I want you to meet. I was thinking maybe the three of us could go out tomorrow night, to Angie’s Restaurant. That way I can spend time with both of you.”

She smiles. “You are the king of two-for-ones, aren’t you?”

I laugh. “I probably am. You okay with that?”

She squeezes my hand. “Totally okay.” She stops walking, and points across the field. “Wait, Colby, the trophy. Shouldn’t you be over there?”

I shake my head. Benny’s just up ahead. I walk faster.

I don’t need a trophy to tell me I’ve won.

I Heart You, You Haunt Me

Chasing Brooklyn

The Day Before

Far From You

Falling for You

FOR YOUNGER READERS

Charmed Life:

Caitlin’s Lucky Charm

Mia’s Golden Bird

Libby’s Sweet Surprise

Hannah’s Bright Star

It’s Raining Cupcakes

Sprinkles and Secrets

Frosting and Friendship