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Before I can finish the sentence, two hands slam into Eric's chest, throwing him backward. Like a heavy wave, Eric stumbles a few steps before dropping back against the concrete floor as a tall, dark-haired man lingers over the top of him, clutching his shirt in two white-knuckled fists.
“You don't listen, do you?”
That voice echoes through my chest, turning that tsunami in my stomach into a full-on storm surge. I stand there, still as a statue with my mouth set in an 'O', watching as he picks Eric up off the floor like a rag-doll, dragging his flailing body towards the doors to our left.
Lake.
28
Lake
Lipsonthewhistleand I blow, pointing at Gabriel.
“Down at the 50!”
“C'mon, Lake! I was on a break! That was about to be a touchdown!” he whines, his skinny arms raised in the air.
Chuckling, I drop the whistle against my chest. “I'm sorry, man! I know you were on a roll, but Teddy got you at the 50.” I point to Teddy, who's just standing there, holding Gabriel's flag with the proudest grin on his chubby little face.
“Great grab, Teddy!” I give him a nod and his face lights up even more.
Gabriel looks down at his belt, his narrow shoulders sagging. He's disappointed.
Running up to him, I throw an arm around his shoulders, and we walk back towards Teddy to retrieve the flag. “You got the speed, man. Next time he comes at you, give him a quick side-step, then turn and take off on your toes,” I say before showing him the move. “Trust me.”
He looks unsure, but I grin and nod, encouraging him the best I can. His frown turns into a determined scowl and he nods back.
“Go get that TD, Gabe.” I pat him on the back, heading towards the sideline again.
Setting up the next play, Gabriel gets the handoff again and takes off. Another defender runs towards him when he jukes him, making a quick turn before sprinting for the end zone on his toes as fast as his body can take him. The team is jumping and screaming about as loud as me as he belly flops onto the turf, rolling onto his back and kicking his legs in the air as he celebrates.
Blowing the whistle, I throw up the touchdown signal just as the clock runs out.
The proudest smile plasters on my face as he runs over to me.
“Did you see that?!” he exclaims, still clutching onto the football.
“Of course I did! You killed it, man! Knew you would.” I put my fist out and he fist-bumps me.
“Thanks Lake.” He grins, tossing me the ball.
I catch it with one hand against my chest, then quickly toss it back to him. “It's yours, bud.” I wink, and his smile grows.
The teammates all circle him, pulling him away from me, and I lock eyes with April nearby. She smiles with such appreciation before approaching me.
“I can't thank you enough for coming out here to help ref these kids. They truly adore you.”
“Nah, it's nothing. I love these events,” I reply, looking around at all the smiling faces as the teams shake hands. There's nothing better than these kids enjoying the world of sports that I'm so passionate about. “I'm happy to be here.” I sigh, then shoot her an appreciative grin.
I was glad April got a hold of my agent to have me help ref the flag football this year. These are the moments that fill me when I'm empty. Seeing everyone forget about the problems of everyday life and enjoy this camaraderie that I've also found through sports is everything. This game has my heart.
After finishing up, I decide to grab some food at the stand before getting set up in the booth for autographs. Walking through the crowds, I stop every so often to sign a football here, take a picture there. I grin while handing an old college football picture back to a young kid and his dad with my signature on it. As I'm about to hand the marker back, it slips through my fingers and I drop it mid-air when I seeher.
It's as if the world stalls its motions when she's in my vicinity. It stops its spin and I'm left falling from the sudden stillness. I feel my heart rate shoot up as if I'm practicing sprints again. My lungs can't take the pressure.
“S-sorry,” I say, bending down to pick it up, attempting to breathe through this strange reaction.
Why my body is feeling this nervousness is beyond me. I don't get nervous.What is she even doing here?
