Chapter 8
CHAPTER
EIGHT
SILAS
The clock is winding down, and we need to get the ball back. It’s third and six, and the crowd noise is deafening. Their offense needs this conversion in order to win, but we’re gonna be ready for them.
I look over to the sideline at my defensive coordinator, Ty, and he calls a cover two trap boundary corner. Which means this is all me. My adrenaline is pumping, and I’m hungry for this win. I’m not here just to cover; I’m here to hunt.
I’m aligned press-bail on the receiver, which gives me inside leverage. I stay focused in on him. My heart is pounding but controlled. My eyes are focused and unwavering.
Our safety over the top shows deep half, making their offense see a soft spot in our line. Then our nickel creeps in toward the direction of the box, hinting we might go for the blitz. We want to make their quarterback think he’s got an easy-out route to his receiver.
When the ball is snapped, I give a half-step bail, just enough to make the quarterback think I haven’t read their play to make him believe he has time.
But then the receiver releases to the outside, just as I thought.
I’m watching the quarterback though and see that he’s watching the receiver, but my eyes are locked in on his shoulder and not the receiver.
At three steps, I see the receiver snap into the five-yard out in my peripheral vision. Then the quarterback fires off a missile confidently. As he releases it, I plant hard off the inside of my foot and take off, directly into the line of fire.
I get to the receiver before the ball reaches him and stretch my arms through the catch point, but my helmet knocks the ball out of his way. I shoulder the numbers on his jersey, knocking him on his ass. I jump up and hold my hand out to the receiver.
“Not your day, Evans,” I heckle.
“Fuck you, Arbuckle.” He swats my hand away and stomps off toward his bench, head hanging.
I run back over to my sideline as our special team unit takes the field for the punt return. Bo is ready to get back on the field, anxiously shifting back and forth on his feet, but smacks my helmet as I walk by him.
“Good job, man. You got this for us.”
“Just here for a little huntin’.” I laugh as I take off my helmet, and it makes him laugh and shake his head.
I stay right on the front line instead of going to the bench as our offense heads onto the field.
The clock is down to a minute thirty-five, and if we don’t make a move here, we could lose the game.
The ball snaps to Bo, and he hustles out of the pocket and launches the ball to Casey.
King reaches above his head and jumps up to grab the ball.
As soon as his feet hit the ground, he takes off running right into the end zone.
The offense rushes down the field, and I see Casey flexing in front of one of the cameras, which makes me laugh my ass off.
I yell out, “Fuck yeah!”
We go for the two-point conversion, and one of our running backs takes it home, securing our win.
The clock is almost down to zero, and there’s no time for them to receive the ball, so I drop my helmet from my hand and run out to the field with my team as red and white confetti falls from the ceiling all around us.
Our media person tugs me and Casey away and tells us we have interviews, leading us over to the reporters.
As we answer their questions, someone hands me a shirt and hat that say National Champions, Walker University.
I tug the shirt on and get it over my pads, the best I can, and put the hat on my sweaty head.
As soon as we wrap up the quick interviews, I move toward the stage where the field crew is setting up for the trophy ceremony. Teammates grab me along the way for a handshake or, in some cases, a hug. Some guys are, in fact, crying, but not me. I’m fucking ecstatic! We did it.
My parents find me just as I’m about to walk up to the stage, and my mom has tears in her eyes.
“Silas! Oh my word, son. That was just amazin’. I’m so proud of you. I wish your brothers and sisters were here to see this, but you know they’re all watchin’ it on the television.” My mom leans in and hugs me, even though it’s a little awkward with all my pads on.
“Thank you, Mama. I couldn’t have done any of this without you and Dad. This belongs to y’all too. Bring it in, Dad.” I laugh, pulling my dad into our hug too.
“Silas, I have no words. I’m just so proud of you and your team. You’ve worked so hard for this. This is going to change your life, son. I just know it.” My dad pats my back as he pulls away.
“Thanks, Dad. I love you guys.” I reach up and straighten my hat that got crooked in our hug.
“Holy shit. Is Callaway proposing to his girl?” someone behind me shouts.
I look up and around for Bo, but I don’t see him until he pops up and lifts Chelsea in his arms. The guys that are around him rush them.
“Mom, Dad, stay right here. I’ll be back,” I say over my shoulder as I walk toward Bo and Chelsea.
“We’ll be right here!” I hear my mom shout.
When I reach them, I push through and smack Bo on the back and then hug Chelsea. “Congrats, you two! I’m so happy for you.”
Bo starts to say something, but his parents come up and interrupt him. I don’t stand around waiting, but Chelsea mouths a thank you to me before I turn back to my parents.
I noticed Chelsea in the stands with the Kings, Linsons, and Noelle’s family, which means Brooke has to be around here somewhere. Just as I start to look for her, Coach calls us up to the stage.
Coach gives the first speech, then hands the microphone off to Bo. After Bo says a few words, he gives it to Casey, who keeps it really simple with a thank you to God, his family, and Noelle. He starts to hand it to me, but is interrupted by the presenter.
“This year, the Defensive MVP goes to Silas Arbuckle. He had three tackles and a forced fumble, contributing to Walker’s strong defensive showing with three sacks and six tackles for loss. Well done, Silas.” He presents me with a small glass trophy that’s heavier than it looks.
I step up closer to the microphone. “Thank you. I’d like to thank God and my family first and foremost. And our defensive coordinator, Coach Ty Haines, for his excellent planning that put our defense in a position to succeed.” I lift up the trophy.
“Yes, Walker has one of the best defenses in NCAA football. Congrats to you all for a fine performance this season.” He leans into me, making me step away from the microphone.
I don’t really hear anything else after that because the cheering is overpowering the speakers at this point.
When I step off the stage, I finally spot her.
She’s standing with her brother and dad behind the Kings.
Beck has his arms wrapped around Charlie from behind while Brooke’s arm is looped with her dad’s.
She’s got a huge smile on her face, and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen her look happier.
She must feel me looking at her because she glances over at me, and our eyes lock. I lift my hand in a wave. Instead of returning it, she lifts onto her toes and whispers something to her dad, then releases his arm and starts to walk toward me.
“Congratulations, Silas!” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck as I wrap mine around her waist. “I’m so excited for you. You had an incredible game! Your last play had me jumping up and down.” She laughs, then releases me, but my hands stay on her hips.
“Thanks, Cupcake.” I lean in and speak near her ear so she can hear me over the noise of the crowd. “I’m glad you came. You coming out later to help me celebrate?” I say, brushing my lips across her cheek.
I feel her shiver in my hold.
“Yep!” she squeaks. “We’ll meet everyone after the team stuff. I think they already have a plan in place for where to meet, right?”
“I’ll go wherever they tell me to. I’m ready to celebrate though, and I would love it if you were there.” I drop my hands, but I don’t move away, and neither does she.
“Okay, then I guess I’ll see you later.” She points to someone behind me. “Looks like you have people waiting on you, Trouble.”
“Ha! See you later, Brooke.” I wink at her and place my hand on her shoulder. I slide my hand down her arm, then squeeze her fingers before I release them.
I don’t miss the smile and the pink in her cheeks as she walks away.
Today, I got the trophy.
Tonight, I’m gonna get the girl.
Before the elevator doors open, I can feel the music vibrating.
XS Nightclub is known for its exclusive parties with celebrities and athletes.
It’s a rooftop deck overlooking the Vegas skyline, with a covered section I need to walk through to find my friends.
I’ve never been to or seen anything like it.
I’m way out of my comfort zone here, but I want to celebrate with my boys, and I really hope Brooke is here.
I fist-bump a few of my teammates as I make my way through the crowd. Girls slide up to me and wrap their arms around my waist, congratulating me, but there’s only one I’m looking for.
I spot my friends hovering near the dance floor, but not dancing. Casey is usually one to get out there and dance, but he’s tipping back a beer and then speaking animatedly to Bo. I think we’re all still on an adrenaline high and ready to celebrate.
And then I see her.
She’s dancing with Chelsea—who’s wearing a white sash with Bride-to-Be on it—along with Charlie, Noelle, and a few of my teammates’ girlfriends.
Now, I’ve played in stadiums that hold over ninety thousand screaming fans. I’ve been plowed down by three-hundred-pound linemen. But nothing comes close to seeing Brooke on the dance floor. She just about knocks me on my ass.
Short silver dress.
Backless.
Catching the lights in the room like it was made just to ruin me.
She throws her head back, laughing at something Noelle said. Her long brown hair swings as she dances, and her hips move like they know exactly what she’s doing.
Driving me wild.
Hypnotizing me.