Free The Road to L.A. by Gina Buchanan Page A

the dispenser and wiped her face before the door flew wide open.  Susan entered with several members of the cheerleading squad in tow.  She stopped abruptly when she saw Carly.   
                  “There you are.  I was starting to get worried, " Susan said in her usual sweet, diplomatic tone.  Then, without warning, her demeanor changed drastically as she assumed a defensive stance.  "So, I heard you were over at Jake's the other day...alone.”  She said the last word with added emphasis. 
                  “We’re just friends, Susan.  You have nothing to worry about,” Carly sighed with all too evident exasperation. 
                  “I don’t know if I can believe that.  You guys spend an awful lot of time together.  Time he should be spending with me." 
    Carly simply rolled her eyes.
                  “Just remember, Cabrerra, he belongs to me,” Susan retorted, hands on hips.  
                  “I think the game’s about to start,” Isabel cut in, poking her head outside the restroom door. 
    Susan acknowledged Isabel’s observation and herded the squad out of the restroom and onto the field. 
    All the while Carly couldn't help wondering why Jake had involved himself with this superficial tyrant.  Thankfully she didn't have too much time to brood over this because her official cheerleading duties had just begun.  She faced the ebullient crowds seated above in the bleachers, told herself to put on a smile, and worked to rile them up. 
    By the fourth quarter the panthers were losing to the Cleveland Harris High School Highlanders.  The score was 14 to 0, and it was already nearing the end of the fourth quarter.  The Panthers had the ball.  Jake was already on edge, and it didn’t help to ease the tension when his father started yelling from the sidelines for them to keep their heads in the game. 
                  “Goddamn it, Jake!” Coach Harmon screamed, all the while casting peripheral glances at the clock, which showed that time was running out for the Panthers to score. 
    “Williams!” the coach screamed at Roy, “Gain us some yards out there, boy!” 
    Roy nodded and stepped up to Jake.
                  “Bro, give me the ball. I’ll score us a touchdown,” he advised Jake.
    Coach Harmon continued his rant.  “What the hell is wrong with you boys?  Goddamn it!  Your pansy playing is gonna cost us state!”
    Harmon tossed his clipboard to the ground, prompting one of his assistant coaches to step aside lest the clipboard strike his foot.
    Jake looked at one of the assistant varsity coaches, who was signaling him from the sidelines, then turned to the rest of the Panthers on the field. 
                  “Guys, we’re gonna run it in.  Roy’s getting a hand-off.” 
    Pierce, a Panther fullback, looked at the scoreboard and shook his head.  He said gloomily, “Jake, even if Roy scores, we’re not gonna win.  We’re behind by two touchdowns.” 
                  “Look, we are not going down without a fight.  We never give up!" Jake pressed.  Yet he himself knew it would be impossible to win this game.  There just wasn’t enough time.
                  “What we need is a miracle,” Chad remarked grimly, shaking his head.
    The teams lined up and Jake hiked the ball.  He turned and Roy took the ball from Jake’s hands.  Harmon could be heard yelling from the sidelines, urging Roy to step up his speed.  Roy ran as fast as he could, keeping the ball securely tucked in his arms.  The crowd grew wild as it appeared with definite certainty that he would make it to the end-zone.  His speed and agility seemed to make it impossible for any of the Highlanders’ defenders to halt his fierce charge.  Coach Harmon continued his frantic rant, his assistant coaches joining in.  Just before the clock ran out, Roy made it to the end-zone and