Page 138 of Forever Relentless

The snap happened, and I was off my line like I’d practiced. I cut through the offensive linemen who were blocking me, and I had my arms around Spence’s legs, pulling him down just before the ball left his hands.

“Shit, Noah,” he grunted as we landed on the ground. “I’m on your side, remember?”

I was on my feet, helping him stand, seeing that he’d thrown an incomplete.

“Not today,” I clapped him on the back. “You can take it.” I went back to my line.

The second quarter went quickly. I’d have played all four, but we were supposed to be trying out new players.

The four of us played the full second. None of the third, and the last seven minutes of the fourth.

Coach Sutherland was giving the fans a finale they wanted.

Dante got sacked once more, and I intercepted a pass and scored a touchdown.

I was on a high. Defense beat offense.

I got a slap on the back from Slater and Spence. The three of us laughed as we celebrated at the end. Who cares that it was only the spring game? It had been football, and it was what kept us alive.

“What a great game,” I said loudly.

“You did well,” Coach Sutherland said as he walked past me.

“Benched on Monday, Coach?” I asked, feeling reckless, pushing my helmet up to rest on my forehead.

He turned and looked at me. He looked to the stands and the cheering crowd. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to,” he grumbled, walking away.

I grinned and, tipping my head back, laughed out loud.

I looked over at the stands and saw Briar lowering her camera. She gave me a dazzling smile, and I returned it.

Best Saturday in a long while.

* * *

I watched Dustin grumbling over his suit jacket. It was black velvet, which should have looked . . . old, but suited him.

“I can’t believe I have to go to this bullshit,” he muttered for the tenth time.

I was in the same suit as before, and so was Dante, although he’d changed his tie.

“This is what happens when you get a girl,” I joked. “You’ve no excuse to not attend.”

Dustin glowered at me. “You remember you told me you’d tackle her if she tries to interview him?”

I tried not to laugh. “Hadley is not going to try to interview Sutherland,” I looked at Hadley, who was wearing a black mid-length dress and looked classy. “Are you, Hadley?”

Her hand wavered. “Undecided.”

“Babe!” Dustin protested, and I sniggered as she winked at me.

I’d shared Mason’s list with her earlier, and the posts had picked up right after the game stopped.

Sutherland was near apoplectic with rage. The ‘scandal’ had taken over the great turnout and success of the spring game.

We were to pick Savvy up on our way there, and we walked across the quad, all suited and booted as requested by our coach.

“Do we remember the script?” Dante asked as we walked. Several of our teammates were behind us, and he was talking to all of us. “We know nothing. We’ve seen nothing. We do not comment,” he reminded us all. There were several ‘yes, Spences,’ and he turned to look at Hadley. “Hadley?” he asked more quietly.