Chapter 14
Dasher
Sweat is dripping in my face, Texas is hot. San Antonio has been a hard team to beat, and we have one more chance to make a play to put us ahead and win.
Locking eyes with each guy in the huddle, “let’s do this.
” They cheer and we line up. Jester takes his position, and I can hear him actually growling at the guy lined up across from him.
I mean he is a scary guy at times, hopefully his craziness helps.
With a shake of the head at Dade, I make the call.
Jester snaps the ball, clean, right to my hands.
My offensive line starts plowing through the defense, giving Dade a chance to get down field.
I take a few steps back and launch a hail Mary to Dade.
Time seems to stop as the ball sails through the air, spiraling in perfect rhythm.
I think my soul left my body as I watched it slip through an opponent’s hands.
Dade catches it and runs it in right as the buzzer sounds.
Everyone starts slapping me on the pads and I just take a breath. Fuck, that was close.
Dade runs up to me and bear hugs me, “you did good.”
I’m glad I did because I love this game.
I shake the other quarterback’s hand and run off the field, stopping for a few interviews. I really just want to get back to the hotel and sleep. The guys did mention using the pool for a bit and that actually sounds good. I haven’t called Poppy, nor did she call me.
This whole time I’ve been away; I have found I actually like the peace. Would I be sad if we break up? Yes, but at this point we want different things in life.
Showering quickly, I throw on some clothes and meet Tyler to get on the bus, “pool?” He asks, though he knows I’ll say yes.
“Yeah, and a beer and big, ass cheeseburger.”
With a laugh, “noted. Great job today.”
I’m glad that I’ve proven my worth to the team. I pull out my phone and type a message to my parents when a notification dings in. Poppy posted. Maybe she’s congratulating me.
I click to my social media app and go to her page. And what I see makes me see red, Poppy sitting on some dude’s lap at a bar. Yeah, we’re done.