CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX tally's tumble

"You got it, princess."

"UGH, JOSH, I'M NERVOUS," I whine, taking my last layer of hair down. "Why?" He asks, scooping a spoonful of peanut butter straight from the jar. "Because? We're playing the Cowboys?"

He shrugs, licking the spoon clean before attacking the jar again. "Okay, ew."

Josh rolls his eyes before bringing the spoon to his mouth. "The way I see it, they lost their secret weapon. It's not your fault. They literally didn't hire you."

I run the straightener through my hair quickly, anxiety settling over my skin like a thick layer of honey. "I know, but, I'm gonna see all my old cheer mates and they're gonna see that I'm not even cheering, I'm a freaking reporter," I groan, flinching when the hot iron brushes my ear.

He shrugs again, unbothered as he takes another glop of the nut butter. "You're the reporter, though. They'll see you on the sidelines, doin' your thing. Screw 'em." I unplug the iron, place it on the counter and turn to Josh. I run a hand through my hair, sighing. "Go change. You look like a frat guy going out to brunch."

We drive to the stadium, nerves sizzling under my skin. "I wonder how long I can keep using this pass to get in," Josh whispers as we pass up security. "Shush or they'll actually check it and see that it's expired." Josh frowns, looking down at the tag hanging from the striped lanyard around his neck. "Well, I'll just get Marren to get me one next."

"Or get a job here," I suggest, pulling my clipboard from my bag as we reach the field. "Pft," Josh blows, "Talullah, I went to college for psychological sciences. Not anything to do with journalism, stats, sports..."

"And you think I did?" I ask incredulously, scribbling some questions based on last week's game. "Touche."

We watch the game without speaking much more. Microphone in hand, I'm laser-focused- on Joe, on the energy of the crowd, and unfortunately, on the occasional glance from my old teammates as they cheer with practiced precision.

The Bengals pulled off a narrow 27-21 win. I can't help but grin as the stadium erupts into cheers- Josh yells loudly, clapping his hands together. "WHO DEY THINK GONNA BEAT THEM BENGALS?" He screams through cupped hands, before pointing toward the groaning Cowboys fans with a spiteful grin.

Joe steps to the sideline, subtly shaking his crossed fingers toward me with a small smirk. My stomach flips and I look away, grinning bashfully. "JJ, I'm gonna go get some interviews done. Just... hang out, until I'm done."

"Yes ma'am."

The interviews are standard with a buzzing excitement. Ja'Marr grins pridefully when I ask about his game-winning catch and Logan speaks with his excitement about his blitz on the quarterback. I'm finishing up with Andrei when I catch my former teammates gathering near the tunnel, waving their hands dramatically and shouting for Talullah. I thank Andrei for his time and pass my mic off to Marren before meeting them halfway across the field.

"Oh, my gosh, Talullah Bennett!" Sierra yells, wrapping her arms around my middle and squeezing. "Hi, Si," I laugh, throwing my head back. "Oh," my goodness, how are you? I have to say, the Bengal's orange is suiting you, you're literally glowing."

"I'm alright, how've you guys been?" I ask, pulling away from Sierra to hug Danielle. "Ugh, Kelli's been busting our asses," Dani mumbles, reaching up to zip up her windbreaker. "Between you and me, I think she's regretting picking up some of the new girls instead of you."

I frown, the reminder stinging softly. Sierra takes notice, quickly changing the topic. We fall into an easy rhythm of conversation, catching up on everything. Routines, new girls, Bandit's death, and even Dani's recent engagement.

I'm fawning over her ring when a younger girl hovers nearby, her eyes wide. "Talullah Bennett?"

I turn my head at the reverent question, "Yes?"

The young blonde's face lights up. Her voice is so full of admiration that it makes my face flush, "Oh, my gosh. I can't believe I'm talking to you right now!"

Sierra puts her arm around the girl's shoulders. "Lua, this is Charlie."

"Hi," I wave with an awkward smile. "It's nice to meet you, Charlie."

"You were... are my idol! I studied all your routines before trying out, you're literally the reason I auditioned. You're literally a legend; your kick double basket toss is insane!"

I blush, pushing some hair that fell from my braid back. "A legend? I don't know about all that..."

"No way," she insists, pulling out her phone. "You're amazing! Do you think it would be okay if I get a photo with you?"

Dani takes our photo before Charlie and I share a hug. She runs into the tunnel, practically hovering. I glance back over to the Bengals sideline, where Josh is chatting with Marren and Joe, who's changed out of his uniform already. He lifts his wrist, pointing as if telling me to hurry.

"Okay, I'm being signaled over. It was so nice seeing you guys, I miss you," I frown, leaning over to hug them both once more. "Ugh, I know. We'll catch up with you later, love you!"

We blow kisses to one another before turning our separate ways. It's bittersweet. As much as I love seeing them and catching up, it reminds me of everything I lost. The camaraderie, the feeling of performing, the feeling of being a part of something bigger. By the time I reach Joe and Josh at the sidelines, my heart is heavy and my lips are tugged down into a frown.

"What's wrong, Lua?" Marren asks, frowning at my expression. "Nothing," I mumble, sitting on the bench to pack up my things. "Don't be like that," Josh whines, wrapping his arms around my shoulders and leaning his head on mine. "I know it sucks you're not a part of that life anymore-"

I shrug him off me, "Shut up, Josh." He looks taken aback, his grin fading into confusion. "Sorry," he mutters, looking between Joe and I. "I didn't mean anything by it." I try to calm myself as I shove my things into my bag, but the frustration simmers under the surface. The weight of my old life and all the things attached do it pulls down on me, heavily, and it's hard to just move past it.

Tee and Ja'Marr come from the tunnel, laughing and joking with one another. When they see us, they come over, asking, "What's wrong, Bennett?"

"Purdy," Tee corrects, shooting me a wink. "Oh, I just ran into my old teammates who made sure to tell me how they miss me and how I just glow in orange," I begin, shoving my clipboard into my bag a little too harshly. "Then some new girl was calling me a legend and told me she watched my tapes for her audition and complimented my kick double basket pass and asked for a fucking picture together."

"Kick double basket pass?" Ja'Marr repeats, his brows knitted together in confusion. Tee slaps his chest, throwing his head back. "It's so sick, bro. So, Lua's in the air, and she's gotta do the splits and spin two times before coming back down. It's cool as shit."

Joe turns to me, his eyes sparkling. "Can I see?"

"I'm not 19 anymore, guys," I remind them, zipping up my bag. "Oh, c'mon, Talullah, I think you could do it," Marren says suggestively, an innocent smirk on her face.

"Come on, Tuls, it'll be like old times!" Josh begs, tugging on my arm.

I chew on my mouth, a little nervous as they all watch me. It hasn't been that long since I did it...

"Fine."

They all cheer, but I cut them off. "But, you have to learn first. Watch JJ and I throw and catch Mare."

"HUH?"

Before she can object, Josh and I have her in the middle of the field with the three players watching us. "I don't know about this, guys," Marren says hesitantly, tucking her short, black hair behind her eyes.

"It's not hard," I say, squatting into position. I hold her waist while Josh wraps his arms around her thighs. "Okay, just jump on three. One, two, three."

She goes into the air- effortless, just the way Josh and I practiced hundreds of times before.

When she comes down, Josh and I catch her with a jerk. "See? Easy." Her eyes are wide, and her face is pale. "That was fucking terrifying," she breathes shakily with a laugh. "I'm gonna sit down before I pass out."

She plops onto the grass, waiting for me to perform. My stomach flips as I stand in front of Josh, my audience's eyes all glued to me. "Just like we used to, right?" Josh asks, his hands on my waist. I take a deep, shaky breath. "Right."

He lifts me into the air and I instantly regret it. My muscles aren't where they need to be- I'm stiff and off balance. When I come down, I miss the landing and stumble forward. Josh catches me by the arm, pulling me up before I can faceplant into the turf.

"Fuck!" I pant, my face burning with disappointment. "Hey, you don't gotta do it, Lua," Tee offers, sensing the frustration in my profanity.

"No, just... give me a second."

I sink to the ground, stretching out. The ache in my legs is like a drug- I'm instantly eager to perform. It's like my body is coming out of hibernation; it knows it's time to shine.

I slide into a series of stretches- a deep lunge, and then throw my arms overhead and bend into a backbend.

"Please tell me you're seeing this right now," Tee asks, his eyes wide.

I throw my legs over into a handspring, landing smoothly.

Ja'Marr whistles, a wide grin overtaking his face. "Okay, I think she might be able to do it."

I roll my shoulders out, an anxious excitement in my stomach. I shoot them a grin as I step in front of Josh again. Adrenaline is flowing in my veins and I feel back in my element. Exactly where I belong.

"I'm going for it," I tell Josh, popping my fingers. "Okay, on three, Tally."

This time, my legs extend into the splits and I make the spin. The rush of the full rotation makes me squeal as I come down. My feet hit Josh's hands, and I gasp, bracing myself for the impact of the solid ground.

I feel myself wobble- he fumbles to adjust his grip, but it's too late. My body jerks in an awkward motion and my ankle twists as my feet slam against the ground harder than I expected. A sharp pain shoots up my leg making me moan in pain.

"Shit!"

Josh rushes forward- Joe and Marren are already at my side, their eyes wide with worry. "Tally, are you okay?"

"I'm so sorry, Tuls, shit!" Josh's voice is frantic as he leans over me. "Oh, you bastard," I manage through grit teeth, squeezing my throbbing ankle between both hands.

"I- I messed up the timing, I wasn't ready for you to come down so fast." I pull my hand away, reaching out and hitting Josh between the legs. "Oh!" Both guys groan in synch at Josh's pain. I seethe, "Don't miss the catch, Joshua."

I take Ja'Marr's extended hand, pulling myself up. "Why are your pupils huge right now?" He asks, speaking quickly. I hop on one leg, trying to shake the shock of the fall off. "Adrenaline. But get up, we're running it again," I tell Josh, limping away from the group.

He slowly climbs to his feet, limping over as well. "I don't think that's a good idea, Tally," Joe starts, holding his hand out to stop me. "I got it," I shoot him down. My ankle is still feeling weird and Joe's gaze is making my heart race a little faster, but Josh's mess up isn't going to stop me from nailing this.

"Let's go, JJ."

My heart thuds in my chest as Josh counts down, lifting me back into the air. Between the spin and the fall, I feel absolutely weightless, and I wish the feeling would never end.

This time, Josh's hands are steady and sure as he catches me. It's perfect- he lowers me down, catching me by the waist and spinning me around with an excited 'woop'.

"WOOO!!" Marren claps, her phone in her hand, recording, and Ja'Marr and Tee are cheering and hooting. But Joe stands back, rubbing his chin with worry, even though his expression is soft- like he's seeing something in me that he's never seen before.

Josh sets me down softly and I take the landing on my left foot. "New girl was right, you are a damn legend," Tee says, still grinning, impressed. My entire body is buzzing, and I want to do it again.

"So?" I ask as I turn to Joe, trying to dial down my excitement. He offers a small smile, grabbing my shoulder. I wince as he steadies me, his fingers pressing into my skin, sending warmth through me. For a brief second, the world narrows to just him. His gaze is filled with concern as he speaks lowly, "That was impressive, but are you sure you're okay? That landing was rough."

I wave him off, trying to hide my disappointment at his response. "I'm fine, see?" I take a step onto my ankle, ignoring the throbs that shoot through my foot as I do so.

He doesn't buy it. I can see it in his eyes, the way they stick to my ankle. "How about we get some food? We can cook at my place," I offer, turning away from Joe's scrutinizing gaze. I have to- I hate the way he's making me feel. Between his small smirk and the concern in his eyes... maybe I'm just imagining things, but I can't stop thinking about how much I love the way he's looking at me.

"I'm in!" Marren immediately answers, jumping to her feet. I start for the sideline, but Joe grabs me by the wrist. "Nope."

"What?" I ask, throwing my hands out as I turn to him. His arms are crossed over his chest, unimpressed.

"Get on." He turns around, squatting slightly. I laugh, slapping my hands against my thighs. "Are you serious?" He looks over his shoulder, almost insulted. "Very."

I roll my eyes, before hopping on his back. He adjusts me, tightening his grip under my knees. "Giddy up, horsey, we got places to be."

Joe glances over his shoulder, fighting the smile that tugs at his lips. I try to ignore the heat that spreads through the rest of my body from where his hands grip my legs. "Giddy up," I tease again, but the words feltl hollow compared to the burning in my cheeks.

His smile finally breaks as he chuckles. "You got it, princess."

holy crap guys, thank u thank u thank u for 10k reads! the support and interaction means the world to me! what a great way to start off the new year! and, duh, happy new years! may 2025 bring each and every one of u nothing but great things ! <3333