Chapter Twenty-Two
Dev
Conference Championship Sunday
Clapping my hands, I walked into the locker room. “Hey, guys. Knock them on their asses.”
“Dev.”
“Yo, Devil.”
“How the hell are you doing?”
My teammates crowded around me, and Brody hung back, wide-eyed and confused. I hadn’t mentioned to him in our nightly phone call that I’d be coming, but with the game on our turf, I couldn’t stay away. Thanks to our amazing security guards, I’d managed to duck the press.
“I’m good. Feeling stronger than I did last week. No more headaches or dizziness.” Luke didn’t approach me, but I wanted him to know I wasn’t there to take the shine off his star. “Dude, you’re the bomb. I know you’re gonna kill it today.”
His smile was tentative. “Thanks, Dev. Are you gonna stay for the game?”
“Heck, yeah. I gotta cheer you on. Keep you all in line.” I put a hand on his shoulder and spoke directly to him. “Just keep your concentration. Don’t think about anything other than getting that ball to whomever you want. Focus on picking your receiver for passing, and if you’re handing off, make sure you don’t release the ball unless they’ve got their hands on it. Lemme tell you what I remember from regular season.”
He listened carefully as I went through what I perceived as the other team’s weaknesses. “I’ll remember. I appreciate it. I’d better go finish suiting up.”
From the corner of my eye, I spotted Coach Jackson walking over. “Dev.” He hugged me. “You feeling okay?”
God, I hated feeling like an invalid, and it was annoying as fuck to constantly reassure people that I wasn’t injured, but this was Coach.
“Yeah. I’m good. Just came by to make sure these bums don’t slack off.”
“You’re gonna sit with us. The fans will love it, and it’ll be great for morale.” It wasn’t a request, but I was glad he’d asked. Being away from the team for the first time since I’d started playing with them had left a gaping hole in my life, especially with Brody gone. Even if I wasn’t playing, being in the thick of the playoff race juiced me up, and I finally felt whole again.
“I’m ready.” I turned and waved my hands to everyone. “Go get ’em.” Before I left, I walked over to Brody and patted his shoulder. “Win it for us,” I murmured for only him to hear.
“Gonna do my best.”
“Dev, let’s go,” Coach called out. “You’re gonna walk out with us.”
With one final meeting of our eyes, I left Brody and joined Coach and the staff. When we jogged out from the tunnel to the field, the moment fans realized I was there, their roar was deafening. Cameras pointed in my direction, and I kept my grin on, knowing they were zooming in. Maybe I wasn’t able to be on the field, but this was the next best thing.
We won the coin toss and elected to receive. I swatted each player on their ass as they passed me, and then the game began. Yeah, I cheered and hollered, but man, it fucking sucked to be where I was. I itched to be the one behind the line. To call out the plays and throw the passes. This week wasn’t like the last. The Stars were on our asses, and Luke was showing his inexperience and nerves, getting sacked a few times and throwing incomplete passes.
Down 14-3 at halftime, I stood in the locker room and rallied the troops.
“Fuck that first half. Let’s do this. You got this.”
Coach went over the strategy, and I completely agreed with his plays. The halftime show was completed, and the teams readied to return to the field. I spoke to every one of them, saving Brody for last.
“We can still do this. I wanna make that trip with you to Orlando for the Super Bowl.”
Brody frowned. “You’re not supposed to fly.”
I winked. “You leave it to me. Fallon and Ezra will come too, and I’ll make them drive.”
His grin matched mine. “Got it all figured out, don’tcha?”
“I always do. Now go kick ass.” I lowered my voice. “And don’t let anyone put a mark on yours.”
He snorted and rolled his eyes, but I didn’t miss that cute blush. Suddenly the world looked brighter. If we won, it was only two more weeks until we could be together again. And if we lost—which we wouldn’t—I’d be with him tonight, in our bed.
I followed them out to the field.
**
As hard as it had been to observe the game from the sidelines, watching all the guys celebrate their come-from-behind win was even harder. I was part of the team, and yet I wasn’t. And though Brody and some of the others tried to include me, it wasn’t the same, and I ended up watching them spray their champagne and listen to the press fawn over the new fan favorite, Luke Fontaine, along with my secret husband. They’d teamed up for the winning touchdown in the last minute of the game. The forty-yard pass that would be talked about for years to come. The fingertip catch by my husband that was already being hailed as one of the greatest in playoff history.
I sat there and clapped, cheering my heart out, but it was a hollow emotion. It had been years since I’d felt this excluded. I watched Brody search the room, and when our eyes met, he joined me.
“Why aren’t you here with the rest of the team?” He dropped to my side, and it was hard as hell not to lay my head on his shoulder. Funny how my misgivings melted away with Brody next to me.
“I don’t belong there. I didn’t play.” The words stuck in my throat.
“That’s some bullshit, and you know it. Dev, you’re the one who got us here. Do you actually think we’d be in the playoffs without your leadership?”
My ego wasn’t big, but damn, it was nice to be stroked. “Luke is doing an incredible job. Kid’s only been playing for two years, and he’s more than risen to the challenge.” I darted a glance at the media crush around him and how he was smiling and answering questions. Much more confident than last week. Like a leader. A chill ran through me, and I shivered.
Was this a foreshadowing of the future?
Brody, always attuned to my moods, nudged me. “He’s good, but he’s no Devil. He’s had two years of sitting on the bench, watching the best and learning. He’s got a great career ahead of him, but there’s only one you.”
“I agree that he’s gonna be a star. He’s got the hands and the instinct. This playoff series has proved it. It wouldn’t surprise me if teams made offers for him during the off-season.”
“I doubt the Kings would let him go unless they got some huge picks out of it. Anyway, I don’t care about him. We’re goin’ to the Super Bowl, and I can’t fucking wait.”
I had no chance to answer as microphones were shoved in my face.
“Dev, can you tell us how you feel?”
“How do you think Luke has handled stepping into your shoes?”
“Do you think you’ll still be with the team next season?”
That question rocked me, and I pretended to laugh. “Unless you know something I don’t, that’s the plan. I’m feeling healthy, and I have no lasting effects from the concussion. I’m here to support my team, and I know they’re gonna take it all the way.” I fist-pumped my arm in the air. “Super Bowl, here we come!”
My teammates’ cheering rose around me, and the reporters continued to make the rounds. Brody was pulled away for more interviews, and I decided to leave and go home, but first, I returned to the field. It was empty now, with only the crew picking up the trash from the stands and the groundskeepers tidying up the grass. My gaze swept over the stadium where I’d accomplished all the dreams I’d had as a kid. Clouds had rolled in, and the sky darkened to a somber charcoal. I shivered and zipped my coat up, then turned and walked away.
**
Super Bowl Sunday
I’d had the choice of sitting in the owner’s box or on the field. Brody’s mom, Ezra, Roe, Fallon, and Troy, Amber, and Jimmy were our guests, along with Vette and Dora Lee. Dante and Lover joined them as well. Maybe I did belong there more, but I needed to be on the field with my team. And as long as the league allowed it, I was staying.
It had been a roller coaster of a game, the lead changing hands at least four times. Luke had made some good plays and some bad ones, but who was I to judge? My first Super Bowl, I was so nervous, I thought I’d wet my pants. Right now it was fourth quarter, we were on defense, and the Wildcats were on our thirty-seven-yard line. It was third and seven, and I knew they were gonna pass.
Their quarterback faded to the left and threw a perfect spiral. Jarvis Malone jumped up and tipped it so it fell short of the receiver.
“Yeah, baby. Way to go.” I clapped furiously.
Fourth down, and they were going for the field goal. It was a long-ass try, but they had one of the best special teams in the league, and they proved it by making it, giving them the lead, 24-21.
They kicked off, and our speed demon, Levar Wilkes, got to midfield. I gave Luke an encouraging clap on the back. “You got this. Doing great.”
“Thanks. I’m trying.”
I shouted out words of encouragement to everyone, trying to get them pumped up. It seemed to work as Luke hit pass after pass and we scored a touchdown. That revved our defense, and we intercepted a pass from the Wildcats and returned it for another score.
With the stadium shaking, I yelled myself hoarse as the clock ticked away and we’d done it. We were Super Bowl champs. I hugged everyone, and we all ran on the field. This was the only time it was appropriate for me to hug and hold on to Brody in public, and I wasn’t about to let that opportunity pass. The press was everywhere, interviewing Luke, who was definitely going to be MVP, and Kendell Watson, who’d intercepted that last pass for the final score.
The field teemed with players, celebrities and others, but I made a beeline for the only person who mattered. I spotted him from behind and jumped him.
“You did it.” Laughing, I slid off him, and we hugged. I knew the cameras were taking pictures, but I didn’t care. “Super Bowl champion, baby.”
Super Bowl hats were slapped on our heads, and damn, it felt good, even if I hadn’t played. For the first time since I was injured, I was happy.
“It was awesome. I’m so glad you’re here.” Brody’s big blue eyes met mine, expressing everything we couldn’t put into words.
I spied Brody’s mom, escorted by security onto the field, and waved to her. With a huge smile, she came running up to us and threw her arms around him. “You did it, honey. I love you.”
“Thanks, Momma.”
I knew how special this was and took a few steps away for them to have this moment. Marlon and Jonas ran over and grabbed me.
“We did it.”
“You sure as hell did.”
Marlon’s eyes darkened with anger. “Screw that, Dev. You got us here. You’re always telling us it’s a team effort.”
“Yeah, man,” Jonas argued. “Fuck that. You think ’cause you missed two playoff games you’re not part of the win? No way.”
The grandstand had been set up, and it was time for the presentation of the trophy. We all got up on the stand, but again, I hung back, part of me still unconvinced I deserved to be there. I watched as they presented the trophy to Armand Winters and then, as expected, named Luke as the MVP. I waited for him to pass the trophy to Brody or Kendell, but instead, he turned and motioned to me.
“I want to thank Devlin Summers, who gave me the courage to take on the challenge of standing in his place. Without him, we never would’ve reached the playoffs.”
Tears burned my eyes at the sound of applause. Words stuck in my throat, and the best I could do was raise the trophy in one hand and my fist to the sky in the other. I handed the trophy off to Brody, who slung his arm around my neck and held up the trophy, screaming, “Yeah, we did it! All hail the Kingdom!”
When we got down, we were surrounded and gave our interviews to the press. The return to the locker room was jubilant and celebratory, and I made my way to Luke and offered him my hand.
“Thanks, man. That was classy.”
“I meant it. I’ll never forget how you treated me, and I’m gonna make sure if I’m ever lucky enough to be the starting quarterback, I’ll treat my backup the same as you did.”
We hugged, and the press yelled at us for a picture. We posed, and a reporter for ESPN asked me, “Dev, how did it feel to sit on the sidelines during the biggest game of the year?”
“Gee, Marv. It felt great. I loved watching everyone play while I twiddled my thumbs.” Frustrated, I huffed out a sigh. “C’mon, man. You know I hated it. But I was glad Luke got a chance to play, and now I can concentrate on getting in the best shape to defend our title. The team did great, and I was happy to play a part in the regular season to get us here.” I waved at them. “Thanks, guys.” And I walked away.
“Devlin, hi.” The owner of the team, Armand Winters, stopped me. “Congratulations.”
I shook his hand and that of his boyfriend, Hayden. “Thanks. I wish I could’ve done more, but I’m still thrilled.”
Armand looked me straight in the eye. “Take care of yourself, Dev. We want you healthy and happy. You are our franchise quarterback, but football should never take priority over your physical and mental well-being.”
Having met Armand many times, I knew he was sincere, but it was still a business and all about money.
“Thanks. I’m doing everything right, and I really feel one hundred percent. The off-season will give me a chance to rest up and get in peak condition for next year.”
“I’ve heard from the coaches you’ve been a real help to Luke Fontaine, and I’m glad to hear that. I’m sure part of his success was your encouragement.”
“It’s a team effort. I’m just happy to be part of the team.”
“As are we.” Armand grinned. “Now go have fun on the roller coasters.”
After everyone showered and got dressed, I met Brody, who was hanging with Jonas, Marlon, and Kendell. Vette and Dora Lee were there, as were Dante and Lovell with his fiancée, Vanessa.
“Y’all did it. Fuckin’ A.” The guys hugged us, and Dora Lee gave Brody and me a kiss.
“That was so exciting,” she gushed. “I was on the edge of my seat, screaming.”
“Me too,” one of Vanessa’s friends said, melting brown eyes eating up Brody. “That catch you made was amazing, Blink.” Thick lashes batted at him, and he smiled.
“Thank you. All part of the game.”
“It must’ve been so hard on you to sit on the sidelines, Devil.” Vanessa’s other friend, tanned and toned, dressed in a tight Kings’ tank top and a jean miniskirt, cozied up to me. “I’m glad to see you’ve recovered.”
I gazed at her and knew I should play the part, but I didn’t want to. Not anymore. I was tired of faking it, and I had no problem using my health to get out of being forced to spend an evening with someone I didn’t want.
“I still have to take it easy. Just gonna hang out with my buddies for a little while. No partying for me tonight. Fact is, I’m planning on turning in early.”
She laughed. “Seriously? You’re the Super Bowl champ. You can’t.” She slipped her arm through mine. “I’m Aurora, by the way.”
“Well, Aurora, I’m afraid I can.”
“Y’all ready to head out?” Dante asked. “Cars are waiting to go to the club.”
“I’m ready.” Aurora left my side, and Brody gave me a face full of surprise.
“I’m not into it tonight,” I explained, and Brody nodded.
“Understood.”
I knew he would. He always did.