“Perfect.” She’s also coming to our game today to see me play, even though Johnson and Landon won’t get time.
Once we get to the stadium, I throw on our standard-issue Waves T-shirt and shorts for warmups, and make my way out to the field.
It hits me all at once when I walk out onto the grass, and I pause to appreciate the moment.
My first NFL game.Preseason game, but still.
The field is busy with activity from other players, infusing the environment with energy. With no one paying me any attention yet, I do a full turn to take in the view of all 65,000 seats. The fans aren’t allowed in yet, but I can visualize the passionate sounds of all their screams.
I’m used to this size of stadium from playing major college games, so it’s not that I’m nervous.
Instead, I’mproud.
So many things could have broken me, destroyed this dream. But I fought hard until it happened. Never let it slip away.
And I’m here, now, with Landon and Grace about to witness this milestone.
Satisfaction settles around me, and I give myself one more moment to enjoy the sensation before walking to the guys to get warmed up.
Forty minutes later, I go back to the locker room to put on my full gear for the game. Feeling a pat on my shoulder, I turn around and find Tony.
“Glad we’re going to be out there together for your first NFL battle, Rawley.”
“I appreciate that.” We’ve been playing a lot better together, now that we’ve had a shit ton more reps in training camp the last couple weeks. It’s still not the same as playing with Johnson, but getting closer.
He dips his chin and heads back to his locker. My own is looking a mess, so I start packing away the things I don’t need now that I’m dressed.
BUZZ.The sound comes from the top shelf of my locker.
Oh, I thought I’d turned my phone off already? I reach for it, hand going straight to the power button.
Until I notice it’s a message from Avery.
Avery?
I quickly punch in my security code.
AVERY: Hi. If you score a touchdown today, I’ll have a surprise for you.
It takes me a moment to recover from the shock that she’s texted me at all.Why is she messaging me about the game?
And then I process her actual words.
A surprise?
Why is she talking about scoring a touchdown?
AVERY: In person. At the game.
Which means she would be here. Might be here already.
I’ll be able to see her, talk to her.
My chest tightens with anticipation.
I look left and right, my teammates oblivious to the emotions I’m cycling through.
Do I even want to see her?
