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“OUR HOUSE!”
* * *
The first play of the game, and this fucking team is gonna test me.
The quarterback lines up in a shotgun formation.
Receivers are spread, and the running back is to his right.
They know I’m the new middle linebacker. They think I’m the weak spot, and this is my game to lose. Well, fuck them. This has been my position my whole life. Bring it on. Let’s see what you got. I get into position, ready.
The quarterback takes the snap, fakes a pass, and hands off to the running back, who then bolts right up the middle.
Big mistake, motherfucker.
I attack.
I don’t see the running back from Kansas U. I see the guy who killed my teammate, and I make him pay. I wrap my arms around him, lifting him up off his feet and driving my shoulder into his chest as I slam him to the ground.
The ball comes loose, and Bash recovers it.
He scoops it up and starts running toward the end zone. One of the Kansas receivers jumps on Bash’s back, trying to tackle him, but he can’t.
Sebastian keeps running. He looks like a giant carrying this guy on his back as he scores, setting the tone for the whole game.
By the time the clock runs out on the fourth quarter, the score is twenty-eight to zero.
Kroydon won.
We played angry football today.
Our defense completely shut out their offense.
Three Kansas players had to be helped off the field before halftime. None came back.
I think Jamie would have been proud.
Fuck that. I KNOW he would have.
* * *
The locker room is a somber place as everyone showers and dresses to go home. There's no talk of a party at the football house tonight. We won. But it feels like we buried our friend today. I think I understand now why I didn't feel closure Wednesday after the memorial service. Today was my closure.
Brady, Bash, and I rode together to the stadium, and we exit together like the unit we've been for years, shoulder-to-shoulder. The first thing I see as we walk out into the hall is exactly the comfort I need. Sabrina, Nattie, and Chloe are standing there, huddled together.
My girl's long, dark hair is hanging in curls over her shoulders. Shoulders covered with my jersey. She's wearing my name. I fucking love it.
Dropping my bag, I walk over to her, wrapping my arms around her and lifting her feet off the ground. I drop my face into her neck and inhale. Her scent washes over me, calming my soul. I just want to go home and lay wrapped up in this girl until the pain and overwhelming emotion of this day is a forgotten memory.
She pulls back, placing her hands on my face. “You okay?”
I kiss her gently. “I am now.”
“You were freaking amazing out there, Aiden.” Her hands run through the strands of my hair.
God, that feels good. I run my nose along the line of her neck.
Somebody whistles.
