Page 100 of Playing It Forward

“I enjoy solving problems. Every defense is a puzzle.”

“Huh. I thought all you did was throw the ball and accept glory for every touchdown.”

“The hardest part isn't throwing the ball. It's trusting someone will be where they're supposed to be.”

“Explain.”

He glances around the table before grabbing an empty container and placing it at the end of the table. “Pretend this is Tanner.”

“The empty container is Tanner?”

He snorts. “It’s about as obedient.”

I frown. Tanner’s pretending to date my friend, Alaia. Except Alaia isn’t pretending any longer. I hope he doesn’t break her heart.

“I call the play,” Nolan says, and I return my attention to him. “Tanner runs a route. Maybe he runs ten yards and cuts toward the sideline. My job is to throw the ball before he's even there.”

“You throw the ball to where he’s not? You’re making no sense.”

“It’s all about timing.”

My brow wrinkles. “I’m confused.”

“I can show you.”

“How?”

He stands and offers me his hand. “Come with me.”

I grasp his hand and he pulls me to his feet. He leads me outside to his SUV.

“Are we going somewhere?”

“Just getting a ball.”

I blink. “You carry footballs around with you?”

“Part of the job,” he mutters as he digs a football out of the back. He points to a tree. “Run to the tree.”

“Why?”

“Trust me.”

“If you hit me in the face with a football again, I’m siccing my dad on you.”

Pain flashes in his blue eyes. “I’m sorry, sprite. It was an accident. I promise to be careful with you and our little mermaid.”

“I was actually joking.”

He caresses my cheek. “I’m not. I was an idiot showing off for some old men. I didn’t want to admit how bad my shoulder hurt.”

I frown. “Does your shoulder hurt now?”

“It’s fine.”

“Why do you continue to play if you’re in pain?”

He doesn’t deny being in pain. He can’t. He knows I caught his lie. “For a few seconds after the snap, everything else disappears.”