Love, Offline — The Quarterback's Ritual

40 minutes before kickoff I stood on the sideline double-checking our game plan Adrian had just finished warming up he rushed to his bag and grabbed his phone Adrian the wind move I froze what the hell was he thinking kickoff was minutes away are you insane the game is about to start and you're still on your phone

relax nerd it's a ritual I'm waiting for my girlfriend's good luck kiss Wow she must be gorgeous if you're this distracted before a game what got a a problem with that. We haven't met yet, but I'd want her no matter what she looks like. She's the only one I want. He had an online girlfriend. My mind flashed back to the

wall in Vesper's photo. My heart skipped. That ridiculous thought came rushing back. My brain said no. My gut wouldn't let it go. Adrian and Vesper. No, impossible. There was no way this arrogant star quarterback was the clingy little puppy begging me for kisses and getting jealous over everything. Maybe you've already met her in real life. You just didn't

recognize each other impossible if she stood in front of me i'd know true love knows he said with absolute confidence two minutes before halftime an interception killed us adrian you blew the route we're calling scared he stood up and stormed off the field without a second thought i ran after him adrian or vesper it didn't matter right now i wasn't letting him ruin the second