AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 32
Brady
We made it! We’re going to the fucking Super Bowl!
While showering, I come to the conclusion that the deciding play-off game wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
I feel good. Nothing too sore.
Most of the guys have left the locker room and filed out to visit their family and friends. Hoots and hollers continue to echo, muffled through the walls.
The past few weeks have been uneventful as I focused all my energy into being in the best condition of my life.
And I did it. No one can ever take this away from me.
Football has given me so much through the years. The camaraderie and competition have molded me into my best self.
I’m proud of what I’ve become.
As I leave the locker room and head toward the exit, I walk into the team-gathering area, where friends and family have been waiting. Congratulations are happening all around me with hugs and kisses to my teammates.
I see wives and girlfriends rushing to their significant others to give them congratulatory kisses while their kids hang off their legs, waiting for their turn.
I don’t have anyone waiting for me, so I make a beeline for the exit, feeling somewhat awkward.
Only getting about twenty feet, the chanting begins, “Brady...Brady...Brady...”
Others pick up the words and join in.
Laughing, I shake my head.
Our coach walks up with the same serious, dour look he always has on his face.
Clapping me on the back, he smiles for once as he swivels to face the other team members and their families.
“Well, we did it.” Everyone quiets down as he starts to speak. “I think the one thing that we really got good at this year was unity. Yeah, we got Brady. And there’s no doubt he has a lot to do with this year’s success. But I feel like we’ve all gotten to know each other—our strengths and weaknesses—and moved forward to make the best of what we have working together.”
There are more hoots and hollers.
The last couple of players are joining their families in the room.
Catcalls ring out periodically, and the talking drops off again.
“The work isn’t over! Let’s make the most of this opportunity that we’ve been given and crush it!”
The room roars as everyone starts clapping, whistling, and howling.
Joining in, I can’t help feeling inspired.
As the coach wanders off after shaking my hand, other players flit by for a high five or a fist bump.
Even though I’m happy—ecstatic, actually—I don’t feel like staying and celebrating.
A lot of the single guys are talking about meeting up later at a night club downtown to party it up.
I feel so far removed from that part of my life. And the great thing is...I don’t even miss it. At all.
If you had told me a year ago that I would be fine just going home after a game, I would have never believed you. But truth be told, the only thing I miss right now is Izzie and Liam.
