Learning Curve

Finn

We’ve been at the Daytona Beach Bandshell and Ocean Center for several hours now. The sun is brutal. The humidity is so thick I could cut it with a knife. All three of us—Ace, Blake, and I—have taken off our shirts to combat the heat, and poor Julia is trying to fan herself with her posterboard as we wait for the results of Scottie’s team’s division.

“If these judges don’t push them through to finals, I will be so pissed,” Ace comments as the MC of the competition steps onto the stage to announce which teams will be competing in the final round.

“Relax, Ace,” Julia responds and wraps her hands around his forearm. “They’re going to be in the finals. They were the best ones out there.”

“That’s what I’m saying, Jules,” he says, looking down at her with a grin. “These judges better push them through or else.”

“Or else what?” Blake questions on a laugh. “You gonna go down there and beat their asses?”

“Nah, dude,” Ace comments and points his thumb toward me. “I’ll send in Fight Club Finney.”

Everyone laughs, including me, but that laughter is quickly cut off when the MC starts talking into the mic.

“The Advanced All-Girl Division IA finalists are,” he announces and opens up an envelope, “in no particular order… Butler! Louisville! Dickson!…”

He’s supposed to name off another seven teams, but the four of us are on our feet, screaming, shouting, and cheering so loud when we hear Dickson that there’s not a shot in hell that anyone in our immediate vicinity heard the rest.

“Hell yeah!” Ace exclaims, and he lifts Julia into the air to spin her around. “I fucking told you, Jules!”

She just giggles and laughs and the two of them exchange their normal banter, but my eyes are too busy looking toward the area where all of the teams were waiting for their results. I spot Dickson’s cheerleaders instantly, and their excitement is evident by high fives and hugs and jumping around in one another’s arms.

My eyes spot Kayla. And then McKenzie. And a few other girls I know from Scottie’s team, but I’m struggling to find my girl.

I search and search, trying to get a glimpse of the joy on her pretty face, and I don’t stop searching until I feel something tap against my back. I glance over my shoulder and then proceed to do a double take when I realize it’s not some random stranger in the crowd.

It’s Scottie.

Her smile is downright blinding, and I don’t hesitate to lift her up and into my arms. “You were incredible,” I whisper into her ear, and she leans back to meet my gaze. “I’m in awe of you, Cheerleader Girl.”

“We did it!” she squeals, and I lift her up higher in the air. Her cheeks flush pink when I garner a little too much attention our way.

“Way to go, Scottie!”

“Scottie! Scottie! Scottie!” Ace starts chanting, and Julia and Blake join him.

“Oh my God,” she groans, but she also smiles as I slide her back down my body until her feet are planted firmly on the ground. Though, I do manage to steal a kiss on the way.

“I need to go back to my team,” she tells me after giving Ace, Blake, and Julia high fives and hugs. “But I just wanted to come see you real quick. Honestly, I can’t even believe you’re here.”

“All thanks to Remy.”

She quirks a brow.

“He chartered Julia’s dad’s private jet.”

“Damn.”

“Tell me about it.” I chuckle. “Now, go celebrate with your team. And maybe call me later?”

“Wait…how long are you guys staying?”

“Until finals.”

“Yeah?” Her smile is equal parts hopeful and excited.

“Wouldn’t miss seeing you guys get the championship for the world, Scottie.”

“Well, then…” She pauses and shyly glances down at her feet. “You got any plans tonight?”

“No.” I quirk a brow. “Why?”

“Because I was thinking that maybe we could hang out.” She stands on her tiptoes to press a soft kiss to my lips. “But you have to be prepared to go full-on Mission: Impossible because our coaches have a strict no-boys-allowed policy.”

“What? You going to sneak me into your hotel room?”

“Something like that.” She kisses me once more. “Love you, Finn.”

“Love you too, Cheerleader Girl.”

She heads back toward her team, but on the way, she turns around to blow me a kiss.

“Yo, Finn,” Ace comments and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “Not sure if you know this, but you’re in love with that girl.”

“Yeah. I most certainly am.” And I don’t even know if she realizes how fucking much.