Chapter 38
Vee
A few seconds earlier
I heard Pratt’s call and didn’t understand why he’d take the risk. Houston was out of time-outs. With a minute twenty on the clock, we just needed to eat more time.
The Coopers lined up in I formation.
Our center snapped the ball to Fin. He stepped back. I scanned the players downfield. DJ was open and it appeared that Kylon Lewis was too.
“Throw the ball, Fin,” I said, barely audible. “Throw it,” I said louder.
He was looking to his right. His arm reared back.
He was throwing to JD.
From Fin’s blind side, a Houston defensive tackle made it around the offensive line. At the precise moment the ball left his hand, I gasped. Fin was plowed to the ground. My heart squeezed in my chest.
Sacked.
Whistles blew and flags flew.
I looked up at the screen for a replay and clenched my teeth at the hit.
It might be clean or it could be targeting.
That call would be up to the officials. My first thought was that Fin didn’t see the tackle coming; he wasn’t prepared for the hit.
My attention went back to the field, expecting to see Fin standing and adjusting his shoulder pads.
He wasn’t.
My heart thundered against my breastbone, the thumping loud in my ears.
Fin was still on the ground.
No.
No.
Tears filled my eyes as Tilson and Pratt ran onto the field with the medical team.
Tremors convulsed my body as tears coated my cheeks. “Fin, please get up. Please. I made my decision. It’s yes. Please get up.”
Thank you for reading SACKED, book three of the Coopers. If you’re eagerly awaiting the conclusion to Fin and Vee’s story, be sure to pre-order SCORED