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That week,I worked with Damon a few more times, doing the somatic routine he laid out for me during preseason, tweaking the program. Truth was, my arm felt like it had a few years ago, in my prime. And Ty convinced a few of the guys to come and run the two-point with us, along with a few plays the new defensive coordinator and I worked out the week before.
“I think you're leading your team, Lockwood,” Damon said as he passed the huddle on the practice field. “Not bad, QB.”
CHAPTER 14
MADDIE
“Hell, yes,” Jessa looped her arm through mine as we followed Owen and Reid through the back hallways until we came to a door. He opened it, and ushered us inside.
The room was packed, but as Owen steered us towards the front window, Miranda walked up and handed a few shirts that looked like jerseys to me, smiling. “For you and the other girls. Enjoy the game.”
Jessa took the pile from me before I could even take a look, and grabbed Reid and my hand, shoving the jerseys under her arm. “Costume change, BBFF’s.”
The door shut loudly behind us, and the room was eerily silent. Jessa whipped off her shirt, and put on the jersey, which was cropped.
And had the number seven on it.
Sebastian’s number.
Reid shrugged. “He’s family. Let's do it.”
“Not afraid of another spanking?”
Jessa teased as she helped me pull off my cardigan, careful to not snag or tug at my necklaces or getmy bangles caught.
“You act like I don’t like it,” Reid snorted with a twinkle in her eyes. She reached out and straightened my shirt, and grinned. “I like. I mean, if you have to football, add accessories.”
“He wasn’t management’sfirst choice,” Miranda said as she slid up next to me. On my other side, Reid was clapping her hands as the team ran onto the field. “Our first guy,” she sighed, “decided to do a little surfing. Down rapids, after his buddies dared him because he refused to go bungee jumping. Season-ending injury. Then, Kellan Horne, who reps Ty, met with Res and myself along with Coach and Tony, the GM,” she pointed to a guy sitting in front of a computer, looking incredibly nervous with a chuckle. “Tony could use a few days at Res’ place on the islands.”
“The islands?”
A dreamy look came over her face. “Hawaii. It’s no St. Thomas, but…anyway, and then last night, Wright pulled his groin.” She wrinkled her nose. “Typical, so back-up kicker. Should be an interesting game. Murphy is second string, but he’s decent. Used to play college soccer and football.”
One coin toss later, Carolina was kicking, and Seattle received.
The ref blew the whistle, and even before his foot connected with the ball, something looked off. The ball whiffed through the air, barely reaching the 50 yard line. Special teams looked stunned for a minute as Murphy went down, but a few of the guys had the presence of mind to stop Seattle at the Carolina 40.
Trainers ran onto the field, and Murphy stood, but didn’t put any weight on his kicking leg, a grimace on his face.
“And that’s not good,” Miranda said, hand on her neck.Damon ran out and was talking to him. Her eyes followed him. “But he’s in good hands. There's no one better to calm your nerves. Ugh, just when I was getting excited.”
Seattle ended up scoring a field goal after failing to get a first down on third and ten.
We were down 3-0.
And then Sebastian got sacked.
But then, the team seemed to slowly turn things around. A pick six score on the next possession, and the crowd went wild. When Sebastian and the offensive line took the field, the air was electric.
Seattle failed to score and punted.
And within two drives, they were first and goal.
Ty and Sebastian looked like they had been playing together forever, and the offensive line protected and made a pocket. The ball sailed through the air, and Ty ran it in for a touchdown.
Two-point conversion. Because our back-up kicker was out for the game.
At the half, Carolina was up, 16 to 3.
