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The crowd roared.
I jogged to the twenty hearing the play called into my ear. I motioned for no huddle. The guys knew to line up. I shouted to my right then to my left. “Seventeen burning house.” We were running the same play. I bent, called hike, then quickly grasped the ball and handed it off to the same running back who took off, weaving around defenders until he took it into the end zone. I pumped my fist in the air as the crowd exploded. The running back celebrated in the end zone and the rest of the offense joined him. I jogged over, meeting him as he broke free from their embraces and pounded his fist. “Nice, man.”
He smiled under his helmet, and I knew if I kept getting him the ball, he’d keep scoring me touchdowns. I looked to the rest of the offense as they jogged off the field, bumping their fists as well. “Nice job.”
Once I was back on the sideline, I dropped down onto the bench, knowing my girl and my brothers were watching. I just wished it wasn’t my father’s murderer who was on my mind. Sawyer and Saint were undoubtedly getting ready to move to their spots in the manor. Saint had staked out the cameras and had a pretty good plan for avoiding them before cutting the power. They were just waiting for my game to end so I could be on the phone and know exactly what was going down.
A few more hours and we’d have what we needed.
* * *
I hurried out of the locker room after having to sit in on interviews with Coach. Our first win of the season was big news given the team was led by a freshman quarterback—me. Reporters had lots of questions, but I just wanted to get the hell out of there so I could get to my room and be there for Saint and Sawyer.
My phone buzzed as I exited the locker room. My mother’s name lit up the screen. I hadn’t spoken to her since I’d learned the truth and now I didn’t know how to act. My coldness toward her seemed unwarranted now, but anything else would’ve been odd coming from me. “Yeah?” I answered, hoping to God she was at the fundraiser.
“Your father would’ve been so proud of you today, Seren,” she said.
A tinge of remorse twisted in my gut. “You watched?”
“Of course I watched. Martine and I are on the way to a fundraiser, so we had to stream the last quarter in the car.”
Relief whooshed through my lips knowing they were away from the manor.
“Great job, Seren,” Martine said on speaker. “You played a hell of a game.”
“Thanks,” I said, wanting to add, ‘My dad would’ve loved to see me play, but his life was cut short because of you.’ Instead I said, “I appreciate you guys watching.”
“After that showing, it looks like you’ll be starting next week,” Martine said.
It took everything in me to keep my voice steady. “I hope so.”
“Oh, Seren, we’re pulling up at the fundraiser right now,” my mother said. “We’ve got to go.”
“No problem. Thanks again for watching.” I hung up the phone and trekked across campus, trying to avoid all the people who suddenly wanted to call out to me.
“Nice game, Grayson,” a guy called.
“You looked great out there,” a girl called.
“Thanks,” I muttered, keeping my head down and walking faster. I had important shit to do.
“Hey, Seren,” a girl called, hurrying to keep pace with me.
“Hey,” I said, trying not to be rude but desperate to get to my dorm.
“My friends are having a party tonight if you’d like to come with me,” she offered.
“Thanks, but I’ve got plans,” I said.
“With a girl?” she asked.
“Nope.”
“So, you’re single?” she pried.
“Nope.”
“I don’t mind,” she said.
