Page 8 of The Penalty

“Get any good ones? I’m told the camera loves me,” he says smugly.

“You know? I don’t actually think you’re in a single one of these. What a shame.”

He laughs because we both know it’s a lie. It would be nearly impossible not to get shots of the quarterback, especially when he’s doing as well as Hayes is.

“You must be a terrible photographer if you missed me in all those plays.”

“I never claimed to be a good one.”

“Touché.”

Coach Zach walks over to us. “Are you two having fun? Might not want Danvers to see that.”

I can’t help but laugh. After I look over his shoulder to make sure Coach Danvers isn’t within earshot, I ask, “He’s a bit serious, isn’t he?”

“This is all really important to him. To all of us, really, but he’s got a lot riding on his shoulders this year.”

I nod. “He’s a good coach, and he’s built a good team.”

“But we gotta be great,” Hayes says, shrugging.

“Come on, McKenzie. I’m dying to see your skills.” Coach Zach tosses me a football.

He doesn’t have to ask me twice, and I’m up and on the field in no time. We stand relatively close to the center of the field while Hayes and a few other players watch from the sidelines.

We toss the ball back and forth before getting further away from each other. He compliments my arm and says I’m a pretty good throw.

“Better watch out, Hayes. She might take your spot!” Coach Zach yells.

“She wishes,” he calls back.

“Danvers,” Zach yells. “You wanna throw a few?” I didn’t even realize Coach Danvers was still here.

To my absolute and complete surprise, he agrees and walks onto the field to take Zach’s place. He’s even kind of smiling when he does it.

“You ready?” he calls to me, then places his fingers correctly on the ball.

“Born ready, Coach!”

The ball spirals through the air and lands in my arms with a thud.

Hayes and Coach Zach cheer from the sideline.

I throw it back to Danvers, and we do that a few more times before he yells, “You ready to run?”

“Hell, yes!” He smiles and shakes his head. He’s clearly expecting me to not catch this, which makes me even more eager to prove him wrong.

He gets into position to throw, and I start running, keeping my eyes on the ball. I follow it through the air just like my brothers taught me before I lift my arms and catch it. Unfortunately for me, I trip over my foot and fall into the dirt. But even a fall and a possible new hole in my jeans can’t keep the excitement from me. I just caught a throw from the Tyler Danvers.

I stand up and make a sad attempt at brushing off the mess on my pants before I walk back to the middle of the field where Coach Danvers, Coach Zach, and Hayes are all standing.

“Marry me,” Hayes says once I reach the group.

I toss the ball to him. “I’m gonna have to pass on that.”

“Come on. Beauty, brains, and you can play football? Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“How do you know I’m smart?” I ask.