Page 105 of Made Better Together

I tilt, twist, and dip my head like I might need to in the game. “I think it’s good.”

“Awesome. If anything feels off, tell me right away.”

I nod, and he walks off to his next duty. The fact is, this whole experience feels the opposite of off. The uniform fits like it was made for me, and I’m locked into what needs to be done today.

“Nervous?” the guy next to me says.

“Not really, surprisingly.”

“Well, that’s good. I’m Mike. I’m an O-lineman.” I assume for the practice squad, since he’s sitting here with me.

We shake hands. “You’ll be on the line during my kicks?” I’m actually not sure how this all works since NFL rosters are only half the size of college.

“When they sub me in. I got your back.” He winks at me.

“Swee—”

“Ah, you’re next to Mike,” Landon says behind me. He strides in from the adjacent main locker room. “He’s a good locker neighbor. Been around the block a few times.”

“Ha, a time or two.” He looks at me. “I’ve been on the Waves practice squad for three years now.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I like staying close to the game. I’m hoping for a break into the full squad, here or on another team. Worst case, I get to be around the pros.”

“That’s cool.”

“You feeling ready?” Landon asks me.

“Definitely.”

He looks me up and down. “Well, you look good in that Waves uniform.” I can tell he wants to say more, but he bites his lip instead.

“Landon, don’t put more pressure on him,” comes Rawley’s voice as he steps into view from around the corner.

“I’m not, I’m not. Just making sure he’s alright.”

I make eye contact with Rawley. “I got this.”

“You do.” He grins at me.

The sound of footsteps on the opposite side of the room is followed by the appearance of Del, as well as several other coaches.

“Are we having a party in here?” he jokes as he sees my brothers.

Landon chuckles. “Just doing our brotherly duties. We’ll head back.”

After they leave, Del goes over the day’s plan quickly before checking on Jeremy and Ernie in the main locker room.

One of the practice squad coaches I met on Monday steps in to introduce me to more of the guys and then escorts me to the field where the kicking team is convening.

As soon as I see the green of the grass and the tall frames of the uprights, an extra boost of adrenaline shoots through me.

This is a shot to do something you love. Let’s fucking go.

Two minutes later, Jeremy’s walking me through his normal warm-up routine for a game week practice. Fifteen minutes later, I’m rotating kicks in with him.

It’s been ten months since I kicked a football while wearing pads—since the Ivy League championship game. But it feels organic.