Chapter Ten
Thomas
The summer break flies by, and before I know it, it’s over. While most of the guys headed home or went away on vacation, I spent my time working my ass off, pushing myself to my limits, ensuring I have what it takes to step up should the quarterback position become available.
And when our summer training camp begins, I’m feeling good.
“Thomas Kelly, I want you to run the next play with Mathers and Peters,” our offensive coordinator says.
The newbies. Again. Goddammit. I know I was only a freshman last year, but I was hoping I’d get to run more plays with the seniors instead of winding up back here. Still, I don’t complain. I show them again and again that I’m here to do whatever it takes, proving I’m their guy.
By the end of the first day, I’m wrecked, but God, I’m happy. This is where I belong.
If I’m being completely honest with myself, the summer break was hard. I don’t do well with time on my hands. I much prefer to be busy, and I’ve been missing having my friends around to keep me going.
I miss Lainey. Especially now that I know she’s home and I haven’t seen her.
It’s strange to think that she went from being Luke’s little sister, to a girl I spoke to a couple of times, to my closest friend. And yet, I never got her number. I just relied on her always being there, because she was, every time.
Now, it’s been close to two months since I last saw her, and it has me twisted in knots. I need to talk to her. To see her smile. I’m not sure when or how it happened, but she’s become my rock, my confidant.
She’s the only one that calms me… and I’m desperate for some calm.
With Summer on a break from school, she and Dad have been fighting more often, and because of that, she’s spending more time away, which only makes them argue more. And I have no idea why. I assumed she was staying at Cory’s, but why would that cause any fighting?
Sometimes I wonder if maybe my dad doesn’t know how to deal with girls. Maybe he’s not equipped to handle her sass. God knows she’s got plenty of it. But then other days, I wonder if it’s her. If she’s purposely pushing his buttons.
Either way, it’s tiring, and I both love and hate being kept out of the loop.
After we’re finally dismissed for the day, I’m walking out to the parking lot when I hear my name being called. I stop and turn to see my new teammate, Dylan Mathers, jogging toward me, a smile on his face.
“Hey man, sorry to delay your trip home, but I had to say that you were incredible. I’ve been to plenty of open training sessions, and I’ve never seen a sophomore go as hard as you did today. It was a pleasure to practice with you. I think we’re going to have a great season.”
“Thank you. You did really well yourself,” I say with a grin, watching his smile grow. “I actually remember you from the juniors; we practiced together occasionally.” It was rare but it happened, and everyone knew him because of his dad, the great Dean Mathers. “For some reason, I always thought you were a quarterback.” I remember him being my competition. “But maybe that’s just because I knew your dad was.”
Dylan pales slightly as he runs a hand through his hair, visibly uncomfortable. Did I say the wrong thing?
“No…uh. I was a quarterback.” He pauses. “I just found I was better suited to being a wide receiver.”
Fuck. I’ve hit a nerve. “Sorry, I—”
“No, it’s fine. I should be used to people asking me that question. It comes up a lot.”
I’m just another one of those dicks.“Well, I’ve got to say, you weren’t wrong. You’re one hell of a wide receiver.”
“Thanks, man.” He smiles again, putting my mind at ease. “Anyway, I’ll let you go. This was just supposed to be me saying thanks. I’m looking forward to playing with you.”
With a nod, he walks away, and I realize my thoughts of being alone mean nothing compared to what Dylan’s been through. I remember hearing about his dad’s death around the club, as well as the news, and Dylan was only eleven or twelve when it happened.
The story goes that Dylan’s dad, quarterback legend Dean Mathers, took off in his car, chasing after some guy that was hurting a little girl during one of Dylan’s football practices. And he never came back. It was said that he lost control of his car, but they never found the guy to corroborate the story and I can’t imagine not knowing.
Every year after that we had a fundraiser in his name…in fact, I think they still do it. I remember seeing a flyer.
Dylan lost his dad, while I’ve got my whole family around me. I shouldn’t be feeling alone. I need some perspective in my life.
It could be worse.
The first week of training camp is exhausting but also exhilarating, and I’m happy to say the time I spent working on my performance during the break has paid off, because I’m playing the best football of my life. Everything feels like it’s lining up. I feel stronger than I have before, my plays are on point, my mind is clearer. I’m working like a well-oiled machine and I love it.
I probably should be nervous. Football life doesn’t usually run this smoothly, but maybe it can. I’m in control of myself. I make the decisions. I train. I work hard. I can be the ruler of my own destiny.
A feeling of accomplishment takes over me, and I want nothing more than to run to Lainey and tell her all about it. But it’s not that easy anymore. With Luke being here every day, after being accepted into Heartwood U on a full athletic scholarship, I have no reason to visit him at his home. I could still go, but I wouldn’t have the excuse of being there for Luke if I got caught.
It seems stupid to be sneaking around since we’re not doing anything wrong and we’re both entitled to have friends. But no matter how I look at it, it feels forbidden, and I hate that it’s so complicated.
Halfway through the next week, our quarterback’s girlfriend comes frantically running into a closed practice session, her eyes bouncing around the space as she bursts into tears.
We all still as Cooper drops the ball and rushes to meet her, but when she pulls him into a hug, we awkwardly look away.
As always the whispers start, but it’s not until the next day that we learn about Cooper’s mother’s illness, with our head coach informing us that Cooper left to be with her, and he’s unlikely to return this season.
The mood is somber for the next few days while we all adjust, yet there’s one person whose spirits seem to have been lifted by the news—our backup quarterback, Kingston, the guy likely to take Cooper’s place.
While Kingston and I alternate between taking the lead, we both know it’s a formality more than anything else—the coaches trying to show me they’re playing fair. Kingston knows he’s got the position, and he doesn’t bother hiding his excitement. Still, I play my heart out, and when I’m called into the head coach’s office on Friday after practice, I’m ready for the news.
“I really appreciate you giving me the chance to prove myself this week,” I say as I walk into the room. “It’s been nice to step up.”
Coach smiles, and while it’s not rare, this one’s a little off-putting, like he’s laughing at me on the inside. “I’m happy you feel that way, Kelly, because we’ve decided you’re our man.”
“What?” I stare at him gobsmacked before recovering when he grins. “Sorry, I meant thank you. Wow. Thank you.”
“You shouldn’t be that shocked. We’ve all noticed how hard you’ve been working and how much you’ve improved over the offseason. You’ve been putting in the effort and it shows. We know you have what it takes to lead the team, and we want you to start while Cooper’s away.”
“Yes! I mean, thank you. Again. This is a dream.”
“Your reaction makes me even more certain we made the right call. I have high hopes for this season.”
Jesus. No pressure. I smile while my chest fills with nerves and elation. I’m a starting quarterback. No, I’m the starting quarterback.
Fuck. This is huge, and the first person I want to tell is Lainey.
Coach grins again before standing up and walking over to pat my back. “You’ve got this, Thomas. Do us proud.”
I did it. This is my chance. If only it wasn”t under sad circumstances.