Page 117 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

I point toward her for half a second, then turn back around because my teammates are already coming for me. I'm laughing when I get buried underneath a pile of Saints.

By the time I get out of it, I'm breathing hard and grinning like an idiot.

Then the fourth quarter starts. We're tied again. Of course we are.

Back in the huddle, Links looks around at us. “Feels like they have twice the number of guys on us now. Brooks, you ready?”

“Been waiting on you.”

Ryan takes the next play and gets absolutely nailed. He holds onto the ball though, not even sure I could have taken a hit like that.

I grab his shoulder as he gets up. “You good?”

“I'm good.”

He's lying. Doesn't matter. He's going back out there.

Next play, Links shows the handoff to me. The defense bites. He pulls it back and fires to Ryan. Ryan catches it and takes off. Touchdown.

I throw both hands up and start yelling before I even realize I'm doing it. “Let's fucking go!”

Ryan turns toward the stands, and I see a man at the fence give him some kind of gesture. Ryan returns it. Then we're all on him.

The game gets even uglier after that. Every possession feels like somebody is trying to rip the game away from us. The Tigers score. Then they get the two-point conversion. We're behind. First time all game.

I get into the huddle, breathing hard, and Links looks straight at me. “No more fucking around. You ready?”

“Hell yes, I am.”

The ball snaps. Links fakes the handoff. I hit the first defender. Then another. I keep driving because I know exactly what he's doing.

Links keeps the ball and follows the hole I've just opened. Nobody touches him. He crosses the goal line. Touchdown.

I turn around and find him already celebrating.

I grab him by the shoulder pads. “That's what I'm talking about!”

We jog back toward the sideline, and I catch sight of Tessa.

She's smiling. Alex sees it too.

Ryan smacks him on the ass. “Gonna let that happen?”

I laugh and throw my arm around Alex's shoulders. “We’re partying after this game, right?”

“Not a party,” he says. “A girls’ get-together at the pond.”

“You gonna be there, Brooks?”

Ryan shakes his head. “Got other plans.”

I look at Alex. “You can't leave me with the girls.”

“Links and I are free,” I add. Alex gives me that look, and I grin. “Come on. You know you love me.”

The whistle blows. I drop my arm and head back toward the line. Time to finish this.

The next touchdown comes fast.