Chapter 27 Johnson
Johnson
When I walk back into the house, I’m not surprised to see a bunch of texts from Carter. An unpleasant wake-up call to the stakes of everything that just happened.
CARTER: WTF bro.
CARTER: Battle’s sister? Without talking to him? Are you crazy?
CARTER: My guy, this is fucked.
I sigh. I definitely need to have a conversation with him, but it’s already ten.
JOHNSON: Can I talk to you in the morning?
CARTER: Call me now.
I immediately dial him, since the talk to come is inevitable anyway.
“Hey,” he says as he picks up. “You got to explain what’s going on to me. It wasn’t cool learning about it from Jess. And I don’t know what the hell you’re thinking if what she said is true.”
I hear her say something in the background. “I didn’t mean it that way, babe,” he says, more muffled. “Only that Johnson and I are tight, so why isn’t he telling me himself?”
“I’m sorry, man. Yes, it’s true. Grace and I are seeing each other, under the radar.”
“Shit. Do you know what Landon would do if he found out you were hooking up with his sister?”
His words kick up some of the guilt I’d tucked away the last week.
Just tell him the truth, that’s all you can do.
“It’s not like that, Carter. I really like her. We’re…we’re exploring something serious, not just fucking around.”
He pauses at that clarification, taking a deep breath that’s audible. “And you don’t think you can tell Landon?”
“We decided to see how it goes first. You know how he would be. Helicopter brother, or whatever the saying is.”
“True.”
“If things keep progressing, we’ll definitely tell him.
When the time is right, and he has a chance to process it in a way that doesn’t mess with our team dynamic.
Maybe around our bye week.” Every NFL team has one week off during the season, and ours is in mid-October, so it’s not a terribly long time to keep this from Landon.
Carter grunts in affirmation. “Yeah, because he’ll probably be furious at first. The last thing we want is our entire defense pissed at you, because you know they’d have his back.”
“Exactly.”
He takes a beat before responding. “Well, you know I’m not going to bust you. Landon’s a friend, but you’re my guy. Just don’t make me regret it.”
I hear Jessica’s muffled voice again. “Jess wants me to add that if you hurt Grace in any way, she will kick your ass.”
I chuckle lightly. “Noted.”
We hang up shortly after, and I have a message from Grace confirming she got home to Landon’s safely.
I collapse in my bed, and enjoy the smell of Grace…everywhere...until I slip off to sleep.
The next day is quiet. Too quiet. Grace is getting ready to start classes tomorrow, and all the guys I’d usually watch the Sunday games with have other obligations. So I end up chilling alone in my TV room, four different games on at the same time.
At least you can use the day to scout these other teams, I tell myself. But that doesn’t take away the loneliness of sitting here by myself.
Monday comes with a reprieve, though, because while we’re not going to begin full practices until Wednesday, I have tape review and a meeting with Marshall scheduled at the facility.
After watching some highlights of our opponent next week, Sacramento, I duck into our offensive coordinator Marshall’s office. He’s now had a couple of games to note patterns on our own team—and what’s working or not. I have my own thoughts, so our meeting is timely.
As I sit down in the chair in his office, he looks me over. “How’re you feeling? Any injuries I should know about?”
“Nah, I’m fine. Just normal crap.”
“Good, good. And how are you feeling about where we’re at?”
As the franchise quarterback, I’m in a unique position to offer my observations and actually be listened to. Most players don’t get that opportunity, so it’s not one I take lightly.
“On the whole, everyone’s playing their role, doing their job.
” He nods. “The big thing that concerns me is the wide receiver options after Bailey. I’m having trouble getting a beat on those guys.
If he’s covered, they rarely seem to be open.
I keep having to dump it to the tight end, which is working for now—but it won’t forever as defenses catch up. ”
Translation: once defenses realize the other receivers aren’t performing this season, they’ll tighten their coverage of Bailey even more and keep a stronger eye on the tight ends. Even more than Buffalo did on Thursday, which will make it harder for us to stay productive on offense.
“I see the same thing. I’m working on some schemes to better utilize Walsh”—our tight end, who’s particularly good at receiving—“but I’ve also asked the general manager’s office to start looking for wide receivers who may be available.”
I sit back in the chair, relieved that we’re in alignment. “Sounds great, Marshall. I’m happy to work with Walsh on the new plays once you’re ready.”
He smiles at me. “You’re a wonderful leader, Johnson. Exactly on track to bring this team where it needs to be. You’re a real example of how to go about things to the rest of the men.”
“Thank you, sir.” I blink at his kind words.
And fight the thought, he wouldn’t be saying this if he knew what I’m doing with Landon Battle’s sister in secret.
After a good workout and a physical therapy session, I make my way home. The night doesn’t feel solitary like yesterday, though, because Grace and I spend a solid hour on the phone.
Two of her four fall classes started today, and she’s happy about how they went.
“No repeats of that summer drama, I hope. And I even get to take a sports management elective this final semester. It begins tomorrow.”
“Oh shit, that’s sweet.”
“Yeah, it’s perfect. Though I still need to figure out what I’m doing after school.”
What I hadn’t realized until we got to know each other better is that Grace had taken summer classes so she could graduate after the fall semester. So she’d be done with business school in January, ready to start working.
“See what your professor is like tomorrow, maybe you can chew on ideas with them.”
“Definitely. It’s great timing. I know I could go to New York to intern with Aiden, but…now I really don’t want to go to New York.” The implication of her phrase is clear and reciprocated.
“Yeah, I don’t want you to go to New York either, Goldie. “
She sighs into the phone and drops the topic. “I messaged Shelley about helping with Jasmine. They’re doing a team run in the early morning, to get extra miles in together, and I’m joining.”
“Nice.” We continue chatting as I head to the kitchen to make dinner, and she peppers me with questions after I explain my conversation with Marshall. As the sister of two serious football players, she knows her stuff.
“I was wondering why Walsh was in more than Smolder as tight end, since Smolder is such a good blocker. Now that makes sense.”
And as our conversation veers from topic to topic, I’m consumed by one thought.
Even when Grace isn’t here with me in person and we’re just chatting on the phone, this house doesn’t feel so empty.