Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
EMMETT
“Bubble screen left on two,” our backup quarterback, Rhys Bennett, says into the huddle.
“Bubble screen left on two. Got it?” We all nod, clapping in unison as we walk to the line and get ready for the play.
These last two weeks have been a shit show, but we’ve somehow managed to hold our own against a couple of the best pass-rushing defenses in the league, even with an inexperienced rookie under center.
We’re up by a field goal with about a minute and a half left in the game, and to be honest, I just want this thing to be over with.
The Renegades acquired Bennett from Dallas after Maddox was suspended for fighting.
He’s normally very cool and collected on the field, but apparently, Cincinnati’s defensive end, Deacon Underwood, hit some kind of a nerve.
One minute, everything was fine. The next, Jett and I were pulling Maddox back while he attempted to rip out of our grasp like a wild animal.
He refuses to tell us all the details, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it has something to do with our owner’s daughter, Livvy, who just happens to be Underwood’s ex.
Rhys shouts his cadence, and I scan the defense quickly.
It’s a run option, which means that the ball could be coming my way if he feels like it’s a better choice than handing it off to our running back.
Wesley Rhodes is very fast and can cut through even the smallest gaps in the offensive line, but Coach Hendricks has been overusing him while Maddox is out.
I certainly don’t blame him, since Rhys is new to our team and hasn’t had a lot of practice time.
Making big passes that could get picked off isn’t the best idea, so that’s made us more reliant on our run game.
Hopefully, we’ll add some new faces during the offseason, because Wesley can’t continue doing it all on his own.
The ball is snapped, and since it looks like a textbook run play, I’m able to blow past my defender, entering a wide-open lane.
I slant toward the middle of the field, turning my head just in time to watch the handoff go awry, a clear miscommunication between the two men resulting in a fumble.
Everyone in the vicinity piles on top of it, and I throw my head back, frustration coursing through me as our chances of securing another win circle the fucking drain.
We need this one to stay in the running for a Wild Card playoff spot, which is unheard of for a brand-new team.
But over the last seventeen weeks, the Renegades have really come together, proving that we’re more than just a bunch of throwaway players.
We’re making the city of Cleveland proud, even if we make mistakes along the way.
Speaking of mistakes.
The refs pull men off the pile one by one, until finally, they get to the bottom.
As soon as the opposing team’s players start celebrating, pointing toward their direction, I know we lost the ball.
Now, all they have to do is get within field goal range, and they’ll have an opportunity to tie it up.
I’m sure Rhys is in his own head about the fumble, so going into overtime is probably not the best scenario for us.
We run off the field, Theo passing me on the way with a giant grin plastered across his face. It’s not uncommon, since the guy is pretty much always happy, but with the game—and our shot at a playoff run—on the line, you think he’d be locked in.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Grumpy Pants,” he says cheerfully.
“I’ve got it.” I roll my eyes, internally scoffing at the cocky motherfucker as I set my helmet onto the bench and run a hand through my soaked hair.
It’s a chilly December day, the cold air nipping at my exposed skin, yet I’m still sweating like crazy.
I guess that just goes to show how hard we’ve all been working, and how badly we want to win.
“Sorry, man,” Rhys says, sidling up next to me.
“Back to the bottom of the depth chart I go.” His face is forlorn, which I hate to see, because I’ve been there.
He’s new to the team, hasn’t found his groove yet, and is trying to fill Maddox’s shoes after he literally dug us out of a hole the size of the Grand Canyon.
He’s been giving it one hundred and fifty percent every day, but he still lacks the confidence and experience of a player who’s been in the league for years.
He’ll get there. Not today, but eventually.
“We all make mistakes,” I reply with a shrug.
“I’ve been given countless second chances throughout my career, and I’m grateful for every one of them.
I know we all forgive you.” I gesture to the rest of the guys on the sideline.
“Just forgive yourself, and we’ll be good to go. We need you out there, all right?”
The corner of his mouth tugs into a half-smile.
“Thanks, Hayes.” I lift my chin as if to say you’re welcome, watching as he walks over to our offensive coordinator and takes the replay tablet from his hands.
He studies it, nodding as he’s given some insight on what went wrong, standing a little taller now that he has the tools he needs to improve.
I consider the words I just spoke. I told him all about my second chances, and reassured him that he would get one of his own, yet in my personal life, I’m struggling.
I’d like to believe Stella isn’t the same girl she was when she was eighteen, and that maybe I could let go of some of the anger I’m still holding onto from all those years ago.
Did she fucking wreck me—leaving me to wonder if I was ever meant to find happiness?
Of course, she did. She blindsided me with a divorce over something we could’ve worked out, and never even looked back.
I deserved time to grieve, be pissed, and hate her…
although I don’t think I ever really did.
But now that she’s back in my life, would it be possible for me to forgive her?
I honestly don’t know, but I can confidently say that I don’t like the way things are between us at the moment.
I snap back to the present just in time for the opposing quarterback to throw a long pass, holding my breath as it sails right toward what looks to be an open receiver.
But out of nowhere, Theo zips in front of him, snagging the interception with ease.
The home crowd goes wild, the stadium filling with raucous cheers and screams as he tucks the football into the crook of his elbow, blowing past every single defender until he crosses the plane into the end zone for a touchdown.
He spikes the ball, pointing finger guns right at me like the smart-ass he is.
I huff a laugh, slow-clapping as though I’m unimpressed, although I’m anything but.
The guy is easily becoming one of the best cornerbacks in the league, and it’s been pretty fun to watch.
“I told you I had it,” Theo says as he jogs in my direction, turning to watch our field goal unit run out for the extra point.
“Not bad,” I drawl, popping my shoulder in a half-shrug. “A little slow off the jump, but you’ll get there.” His jaw drops and exasperation, and I can’t hold back my snicker as he rolls his eyes in annoyance.
“I was thinking of going over to Baker’s to watch the afternoon games if you want to come,” I tell him.
The last time I was there, I left abruptly, cutting our visit short.
And ever since Maddox got suspended, I’ve been putting in extra hours at practice, so my free time has been limited for the past couple of weeks.
I thought I’d see if any of the guys wanted to tag along, figuring that it would be a good opportunity for some team bonding.
“Didn’t he tell you?” he asks. My brows pull tight, confusion evident in my expression, so he continues.
“He’s gone for the night. Apparently, one of the surgeons who worked on his shoulder is a speaker at some convention in Columbus this weekend.
He asked Austin to come with him. The poor guy’s been cooped up in his house for so long, I think he saw it as some kind of exotic getaway.
But I guess a free hotel stay is a free hotel stay, right? ”
Immediately, my mind travels to Stella, wondering if they’re sharing a room. Or worse, a bed. It’s fucking irrational, but that doesn’t stop the words from coming out of my mouth before I even get a chance to swallow them down.
“What about his nurse? Did she go with him?” I feel pathetic, digging for information, even though Theo has no idea that I have a past with her.
My imagination runs rampant with visions of them rolling around under the covers, his hands all over her luscious curves as she giggles against him.
My blood boils, rage flowing through me like hot lava at the thought.
“Actually, she didn’t,” he replies. “He told me that he practically had to beg her to do it on his own, saying that he wanted to feel a little bit of normalcy again. I guess she was okay with it, probably because it’s just overnight and he’s traveling with a doctor, anyway.
” He chuckles. “I need to meet this girl in person. She seems like a real bulldog.”
I smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes, my concern shifting from Stella sharing a room with Austin to being alone on his multimillion-dollar property.
I’m sure the security system at his house is great, but if he gave me a code, who’s to say he hasn’t given one to all the other guys on the team?
I doubt it, since most of them haven’t even been there yet, but what if someone drops by while she’s home by herself?
I watch as the ball sails through the uprights, securing a Renegades win.
Anxiety pokes at me more with each passing second, until finally, I decide that when I’m done here, I’ll swing by and check on her.
I won’t even get out of the truck. I’ll just pull in, make sure everything is in order, and be on my way.
Nice work, Hayes. Not delusional at all.