My seat for the game was incredible. I was so close to the field that Jett could actually see me. I felt so special every time he waved at me and smiled. He looked so hot in his uniform.

I never realized how violent football was. I’ve seen football games on TV, but with my seat so close to the field, I could actually hear the crunch of bodies colliding into each other. It was terrifying to watch Jett out there. I had never been so afraid of someone else getting hurt in my life.

He walked onto the field with such confidence. It was sexy. I realized for the first time ever the amount of strategy football required. A football game, sports in general, had statistics that could be computed and analyzed. Decisions, or plays, could be calculated. I was fascinated.

Cal was leading most of the game, so it was enjoyable to watch without stressing over the score. After a while, I got used to Jett being on the field. The offensive line was awesome and protected him well.

With six minutes left in the game, when I was so sure Jett was safe from getting hurt, my heart plummeted. UCLA’s defensive tackle, number 97, Atkins, broke through Cal’s offensive line, charging right for Jett. Jett tumbled backward onto the ground. I could hear the loud impact of his body thudding into the turf. I clasped my hands over my mouth to prevent the scream that escaped me from being heard too loudly. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t breathe. All I could do was wait.

After a few moments, Jett sprung back up to his feet. I cheered along with the rest of the Berkeley crowd. The Cal band exploded into brassy booming music. It was a vicious tackle, but Jett pulled off his helmet and gave me a thumbs up. I knew my cheeks were red from blushing as people in the stands looked over at me.

On the next play, Jett broke past the line of scrimmage. I cringed as I watched him run into the scramble. A Cal fullback nicknamed Ox blocked a UCLA cornerback 16 yards down the field. I watched Jett sprint 49 yards to the end zone.

The stands roared. It was deafening. Oski, the Cal mascot, danced a jig on the field as the band played uproariously. Jett took his helmet off again and blew me a kiss. I melted on my feet. My legs were jelly from the kiss. I had to sit down. My cheeks were actually sore from smiling so much.

The Cal Bears beat UCLA Bruins, 27 – 16. It was thrilling to be part of the cheering stands. My chest actually vibrated and shook from the music and the roaring fans. I walked back from Memorial Stadium to Clark Kerr even more excited about the after-game party than I was before. I couldn’t wait to see Jett. He’d kept his promise. He’d scored a touchdown and even blew me a kiss from the field.

I thought about the real kiss after our date. I couldn’t wait to kiss him again. To feel his lips on mine. His strong arms holding me. I kept feeling his arms and shoulders with my hands that night. I couldn’t help it. He was so big and muscular. And sexy.

My thoughts about Jett and his hard body were abruptly interrupted. “Laney!” It was Troy running up to me, out of breath.

He was the last person I wanted to talk to right then, but I was my mother’s daughter. I couldn’t be outright rude to him. I picked up my walking speed a notch and said, “Hey, Troy!” forcing a smile.

He kept walking with me. “How are you doing?” he asked picking up his pace.

“I’m doing okay,” I said. It was awkward. I wasn’t sure what to say to him.

“So I know you are going to a party later, but I was hoping you’d want to grab some pizza with me,” he said this with that desperation in his eyes that I’d seen before. I couldn’t bear it. I felt bad for him. Plus, I was hungry. Starving.

“Okay. I could eat a slice,” I heard myself saying. I hoped I wouldn’t regret it.

We walked to Fat Slice on Telegraph. They served gigantic pizza slices. I adored their veggie slices: tomatoes, olives, zucchini, spinach, red and green peppers, peas and corn. When we walked up to order, a sadness welled inside my empty stomach. Troy was going to order my slice without asking me.

I opened my mouth to protest whatever it was he thought I wanted, but he interrupted me, “What kind of pizza do you want?” I was shocked. He was actually allowing me to make my own food choices. What a wonderful surprise.

I blurted out quickly, “Veggie slice,” before he changed his mind. Then added, “Coke. Regular Coke.”

Troy’s eyes lit up, and he laughed at my urgency. “You’re so funny, Laney.”

I inhaled my pizza slice and slurped my Coke happily, instantly putting me in a soaring good mood. When Troy asked me to play Mortal Kombat on Fat Slice’s vintage arcade machine, I agreed.

I was Sonya Blade while Troy was Johnny Cage. I had no idea what I was doing, at first, but I soon got the hang of the joystick and buttons. It was fun. I never thought I’d enjoy playing video games. On our last bout, I actually won.

“I won! I won!” I jumped up and down laughing.

“You deserved the win!” Troy said, clapping his hands. “My Johnny Cage went down! You annihilated him!” He pointed to a claw machine. “Because you beat me, I’m going to win you a prize.”

I shook my head. “I hate those things. You have no idea how much money I wasted as a little girl trying to get a stuffed animal with that claw when I could have just bought one from the store for so much cheaper.” I put my hand over the quarter slot. “I can’t let you do this. This machine is the devil.”

Troy nudged my hand away, smiling. “Nah. I got this. Trust me. You have to use a certain finesse with it.”

I put my hands up, giving up the fight. “Okay, but I will only allow you to waste one quarter on this thing.”

“Deal.” He held up his fist.

I bumped my fist with his. “Deal.”

In disbelief, I watched as Troy skillfully maneuvered the claw and pulled out a little Oski bear. He handed me the cute little guy and said, “See? You should have known me when you were a little girl. I would have saved you a ton of money.”

I hugged the bear to my chest. “Thank you. He’s adorable.”

Troy walked me back to Clark Kerr. “I had a great time,” he said, looking down at the sidewalk, he kicked a rock to the side.

“I did too,” I said. Troy lifted his head to look at me. His face brightened.

His eyes darted around nervously. “Are you free Sunday afternoon? I thought maybe… Would you like to get brunch with me?”

I grimaced and said cautiously, “I don’t know. I’m not sure how tired I’ll be. I’m going to my first college party tonight.” I took a deep breath and looked around as I waited for Troy’s anger to rise. I was glad we were close to my dorm.

“Okay. No problem. If you’re feeling up to it Sunday, just shoot me a text. I’ll put my number in your phone.” He put his hand out as I took out my phone from my jacket pocket and gave it to him.

He put his number in and handed it back to me still, smiling. “Sure. I’ll text you if I’m up to it,” I said taking my phone back. I searched his face for any anger or a fury behind his eyes, but he was perfectly serene.

“I’ll catch you later, Laney. Have fun tonight.” He left without any altercation, disagreement, or even discussion about the party tonight or Jett. I walked into my dorm room looking through my phone. Troy saved his name in my contact list with a heart next to it. I laughed. Troy seemed so different today than I’d ever seen him.

My phone rang. It was Jett. I answered it right away, “Hi, Jett.”

“Laney, I held up my promise didn’t I?” his voice was cool, crisp, and full of pride.

I could feel my face heating with a blush again, thinking about how he blew me that kiss to me on the field for everyone to see. “You did.”

“Did you have fun? Did you like the game?” he sounded happy.

“I loved it. It was exciting, but I was terrified of you getting clobbered by the other team,” I admitted.

“Laney, you’re so sweet to worry about me like that. I was so happy to see you in the stands, cheering for me. It felt good to see you there.”

“I was glad to be there,” I said, and I meant it.

“I can’t wait to see you, Laney. Can I pick you up early? Are you ready yet?”

I looked at the time. “No, but I can be in half an hour,” I said already scrambling around.

“Okay. See you then.”

I hung up and grabbed my towel, bathrobe, and shower caddy. I walked into the bathroom, feeling like I was on a cloud. Both Jett and Troy had been perfect gentlemen.

The hot water hit my face as I thought about the decision I needed to soon make. I’d have to choose one of them or drop them both. It would be a difficult decision to make. At that moment, I had no idea who to choose, but I knew I liked them both.