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I’m in a shit mood when we head back out onto the field, the only thing making me happy are the boos everyone shouts when they mention that Ace is playing quarterback and not me. At least I’m loved by the fans.
Then I immediately feel like shit for not supporting Ace. When he approaches where I’m sitting on the bench, all suited up with his helmet on, looking nervous, I almost apologize to him.
“I’m fucking scared, boss, but I’ve got you,” he tells me, his tone earnest. As if he means every word he says. “I won’t let you down.”
I say nothing, just stare at him in shock and wonder, until a whistle blows. Ace starts to leave and before he gets too far, I call his name, causing him to look back.
I give him the thumbs-up signal with both hands and he grins, putting his hands around his mouth and hollering, “Got you, number one QB!”
Out on that field, Ace plays with his heart, putting his all into it, his decision-making fast, his reflexes quick. He throws a forty-yard pass that Knox catches with ease, running into the end zone and making a touchdown like they were born to play with each other.
I leap to my feet along with the rest of my teammates, who are sitting with me on the bench. And I don’t sit down for the rest of the quarter, watching as Ace goes back out there and scores another fucking touchdown, while our defense keeps the opposing team from scoring shit. All they get is another three points on the scoreboard, thanks to a field goal, and that’s it.
End of the third quarter, with our offense out on the field, Coach approaches me, his voice gruff when he asks, “You want another shot during the fourth quarter?”
“Yeah,” I tell him with a curt nod.
“Get ready.”
Knox approaches me at the top of the fourth, while our defense is out there, holding back the other team. “You all right?”
I shrug. “Shitty day.”
“We all have them.”
“I don’t.” When he sends me a look, I shrug. “Not really.”
“Can’t keep up the perfect façade forever, bro. You’re human like the rest of us.”
That is really fucking hard to admit.
“Coach said you’re playing,” Ace says, appearing right by my side. I turn to look at him. “You’ll get it.”
“Get what?” I ask him.
“The win.”
“I think that’s all thanks to you.”
“Whatever. We’re just taking care of each other. Doing it for the team. Right?”
His words linger when I’m out on the field, reminding me that sometimes I get a little too caught up in my bullshit when I should be focusing on the big picture.
The team. All of us as a cohesive unit versus just me and my position. My future.
That’s all coming, but none of it will work if we don’t work on it together.
I refocus my energy on the field and let it all happen naturally. Pushing everything out of my brain, even Blair—especially Blair—and I’m back. In charge and living large, as Derek shouts at me after I throw the ball, and Knox, yet again, runs it into the end zone.
Once the game is over and we’ve won, I jog over to Knox and give him a hug, slapping the side of his helmet while grinning at him.
“It’s your game today, motherfucker. You’re a superstar,” I tell him.
He grins back. “You weren’t so bad yourself once you came out of your fog.”
My smile slips. My fog can only be blamed on his sister.
Which really fucking sucks.
