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“It is homecoming weekend, and tonight, we are so excited to bring you the final regular season game for the South Mountain Pioneers! After a tough start, the Pioneers now ride a seven-game winning streak, and with a win tonight, they can guarantee themselves a spot in the district playoffs. They will be playing winless Grove City, who sits at 0-9 and should be no problem for this red-hot Pioneer team. However, before kickoff, we have a special surprise ceremony on the field: The local Boosters have created a memory plaque for Coach Weston. They intend to have the plaque placed at the entrance of the stadium so we can all remember Coach Weston’s contributions, not just to this football team but also to the surrounding community.”

**********

“G.” Ty punched Gunner in the shoulder and snapped him out of his trance. “You’re up.”

Right.

Gunner exhaled and peered out to where his mom and sister stood in the middle of the field. The plaque they held glistened in the lights, and it took every ounce of strength he had to walk out to them.

Let’s just get this over with .

He locked eyes with his mom as he moved into a slow jog. Her smile, while vibrant, held a stillness that he knew meant she was forcing her cheeks to stay wide.

Just smile and wave.

He followed his internal instructions. His sister did the same with her pom poms as he finally drew up next to his family.

“Hey guys,” Gunner said softly. “Was this you, Mom?”

A tightness in his chest was making it hard for him to catch his breath.

“No, sweetheart, this was all the Boosters.”

Of course.

Gunner stood quietly as the ceremony continued and some of the local Boosters spoke about his father’s accomplishments. Near the end, he glanced up into the crowd and found Hailey, who was sitting with Juelz and the rest of the musical cast. They were surrounded by other students, but the matching musical shirts made them easy to spot.

I wish I was up there with her.

Her eye caught his as the ceremony finished, but he quickly looked away.

“Gunner.” Principal Davis leaned over to him with the microphone. “Would you like to say anything?”

No.

He froze. The face of his father stared back at him, making his mind go completely blank.

“I’ll say something.” His mother ran defense, moving the microphone away from his face.

Thank you, Mom .

The stadium lights were roasting him, and even though the air was cool and brisk, Gunner could feel sweat trickling down his forehead. His mom’s voice was nothing more than a murmur in his ears, and as he looked down at Peyton, he could see her starting to tear up by his side.

Be strong.

He grabbed her shoulder and pulled her close just as Principal Davis’ voice began to project over the speakers.

“Thank you to the entire Weston family. You are truly a pillar of this community. We know that as long as you are with us, Daniel’s legacy will live on!” Gunner’s arms were shaking, and his sister’s eyes peered up at him as he tried to play it off. “Now, let’s play some football!”

The roar from the crowd sounded muffled.

What’s happening?

“Gunner…” His sister tried to say something to him, but he cut her off with a hug.

“Got to go.” It was all he was able to say.

“Gunner---”

“Love you, Mom.” He was not about to let his mother say anything. The tightness in his chest was so intense that he thought it might strangle him.

The jog to the sidelines seemed like it took hours. Each step was like quicksand, and he fought to drag his cleats closer to the group waiting for him.

“Gunner.” Coach Bianchi was the first to greet him. “You OK, son?”

Just breathe.

Gunner nodded and threw his helmet on. While the stares of his teammates were hot on his neck, it was his coach’s pre-game speech that tightened his muscles even more.

It’s always the same speech.

“G?” Ty slapped his helmet as they finally took the field. “You good?”

No.

A tear he had been fighting back since he saw the plaque finally escaped onto his cheek.

“Well, Pioneer fans, if you thought this homecoming game was going to just be a celebration and easy victory, you were wrong. The Raiders of Grove City have played hard and are pushing the Pioneers. South Mountain holds a slim 21-17 lead. Tyquan Carter has had a fantastic game, running for three touchdowns while carrying this offense. Gunner Weston, meanwhile, has struggled tonight, looking more like the early-season quarterback we thought was in the past.

Coach Bianchi has his team huddled for what will be a pivotal fourth down and two. He can punt the ball and see if his defense can close the game out, or he can go for it and win it on this play. The Raiders have no timeouts left, and the ball is at the South Mountain forty-five-yard line. It is decision time for Coach Bianchi.”

“Let’s go for it!” Ty shouted next to Gunner. “It’s only two yards, and I know I can get it.”

We should punt.

“Gunner?” Coach Bianchi turned to him, as did all the eyes in the huddle. “What do you think?”

Why are you asking me?

He tugged on the inside of his shoulder pads. The bright lights made him squint as he shrugged and refused to make eye contact .

“Coach.” Ty jumped forward. “We got this. Just give me the ball. I’ll get it.”

Stupid.

A hush fell over the huddle, and Gunner continued to avoid his coach, who was clearly waiting for him to speak up.

“OK.” Coach Bianchi’s voice was less than convinced. “Let’s win the game. Ty, we are going to run Gun Right 22 quick trap.”

The rest of the team fell in line.

“Gunner!” His coach grabbed his facemask.

“I got it, Coach. I’ll get it to Ty.” He jerked away, leaving no time for any other conversation before he pressed onto the field.

Get it to Ty.

The Nike cleats on Gunner’s feet were a blur as he willed them toward the ball. He forced himself to look up and find Emilio, who had just set into position. He was struggling to focus. The silver and black jerseys of the other team were shifting in and out of his field of vision as they shouted out signals.

Just give the ball to Ty.

Gunner’s heart started to beat faster. A final deep inhale gave him enough breath to call out the cadence. His hands shook in front of him.

“OK, ladies and gentlemen, Coach Bianchi is going for the win. You have to love the aggressiveness, but if they do not make this, Grove City will have a chance to knock South Mountain out of the playoffs!

Weston calls out his cadence and looks over the line. He takes the sn---Oh no! Weston fumbles the snap! The ball is on the ground! Weston picks it up and runs to the right side. He has two Grove City defenders chasing him. Weston looks down the field and just throws one deep! What is he doing!? He takes a huge hit as the ball flutters down the field, and it is…CAUGHT! It is CAUGHT! Andy Green, with a fantastic catch! Andy Green just saved the game and Gunner Weston! What an incred---hold up folks. Gunner Weston is still down on the field as the Pioneers begin to celebrate. He is rolling around in pain, and it looks like it’s his shoulder. This is not good news for South Mountain, as they may have won this game but potentially could have just lost their starting quarterback.”

**********

Hailey shifted nervously. The hanging lights reflected off the linoleum tile under her feet.

Please be OK.

The rest of the boys were arguing nearby, and Tyquan was pacing back and forth, mumbling to himself, almost out of control.

“We should have just punted the ball, man. I mean, we would have stopped them! Why did I have to open my mouth? He didn’t look right tonight! I knew something was wrong!”

He banged his fists against the wall, causing Hailey to jump in her seat.

“Hey, Ty, come on, man.” JT moved in close and wrapped up the bulky running back, who was breathing heavily.

“Man! If, what if, man, what if he’s done?!”

Her heart was in her throat as the concern spread to each of the faces in the waiting room.

“We…we will make it work, Ty.” Emilio’s normally upbeat nature was somber as Andy put his arm around him.

“This is what we have worked for since we were six, man! He put everything into this!” Tyquan turned to her. “He gave everything for this chance!”

Is he crying?

She had been at the hospital since the end of the game. The entire team had shown up, but her father had sent them all home, except the four captains.

She had a feeling, like Tyquan, that something was not right. Gunner had not played like his normal self, and when he started rolling on the ground in pain, she knew something was seriously wrong.

“This can’t be how it ends!” Tyquan was up against the wall now, tears streaming down his face. “We were supposed to do this together! We were supposed to win state!”

She buried her head in her hands and took a deep breath.

Please be OK, Gunner.

Maybe to her, it was just a stupid game. To these boys, though, it was something different. They were playing for something so much more than just a trophy.

Her father once said that a football team was like a family. Now, after moving to this town and getting to know them all, she was starting to understand. These guys were Gunner’s brothers, and just like her, they had watched him writhe on the ground, screaming in pain. They had been together since they were little kids, working toward one common goal. A goal that might now be taken away from one of them.

“Gentlemen,” her father’s voice boomed into the waiting room, making them all jump.

“Coach!” Tyquan ran over to him. “How is he? Is he going to be OK? Can he play?”

Her father straightened and paused .

“Well, it’s a pretty bad sprain to his shoulder---his non-throwing shoulder.” He glanced over at Hailey briefly. “He’s in a lot of pain right now, and we may have to limit his defensive snaps, but,” the rest of the boys leaned close, “he should still be able to play quarterback for us in the playoffs.” A collective sigh of relief filled the room. “As long as,” her father continued, trying to hold back a smile, “he can play through the pain and we keep him from getting hit too much.”

Emilio quickly launched himself to the front.

“I promise, Coach, the boys and I up front, we won’t let anyone touch him!”

Her dad laughed.

It was easy to see how much her father cared about the players in front of him. His smile, the way he spoke to them, and the genuine concern he showed made that clear.

Family.

However, it was the way the boys were reacting that widened her grin. The fist bumps and laughter, the inside jokes, allowed her to relax in the plastic seat she had been hunched in all night.

“Can we see him?” Andy’s question brought Hailey to her feet.

“He’s pretty shaken up. I think this scared him a bit, and he’s still in pain. He told me to tell you guys to go home, and he’ll text you later.”

Their eyes turned to her as Tyquan made his way over.

“You take care of my boy for me, OK, fearless leader?”

Wait!?

“We’ll see you at the dance tomorrow.”

He tapped her shoulder, and the others did the same before Emilio pulled her tight .

“Thanks for being here for him.”

Me!?

She tensed slightly. A weight fell on her shoulders as the boys walked out together.

“Hails.” Her father motioned for her to follow.

Oh boy.

She made her way down the hallway, trying to collect her thoughts after the crazy night. She had not mentioned anything to her father about the time she and Gunner were spending together, but he had seemed OK with the drive-in and the late practices.

Did Gunner ask for me?

Gunner’s mother and sister greeted them when they arrived at his door.

“Hailey!” Peyton shouted before nearly tackling her.

“Hey.” She had to steady after nearly toppling over. “How is he doing?”

“I don’t know.” Peyton peered up at her with tears in her eyes. “The doctor is just finalizing some things, and Gunner wanted to get dressed.”

“Hailey.” Mrs. W. waved. “Thanks for sticking around.”

She nodded. A nearby nurse gave them the OK to step in.

“Gunner, sweetheart?” His mother’s voice was soft as she opened the curtain.

Oh my!

Hailey spun away. Gunner was lying on the bed. His shirt was off, and a big bag of ice sat on his left shoulder. She took a deep breath before turning back to an image that she had thought about many times since they had started their late practices.

Gunner.

Well, not exactly. Any other time, she would have been drawn to his toned, athletic body. However, right now, she was pulled directly into his eyes. His blank, lost stare into the overhead lights was a familiar one.

So much pain.

“Gunner, sweetie. You should put your shirt on so we can go.”

Hailey had forgotten about her father, who was now leaning against the door, clearly uncomfortable.

“Gunner!” Peyton screamed. She sprinted over to hug him.

“Jesus, Peyton!” He lurched forward as the bag of ice shifted under her.

“Sorry!” She jumped back.

He stood up slowly, moving toward the window while holding the bag of ice to his shoulder. He tried to laugh, but it sounded more like a groan.

“It’s okay. You damn near hit me harder than that guy on that field tonight.” He paused, staring blankly out the window.

“I’m sorry, Gunner. I just…” Peyton took a step closer, trying to make her way around the bed.

“Look, just, just be careful.” He shook his head, and his voice sharpened. “Doc says I need to rest up for a bit. You can’t just be running up and hugging like you always do.”

Oh no, Gunner.

Peyton’s shoulders instantly dropped .

“Gunner, now I know you are hurting, but that is no way---”

“What, Mom? She is always leaping at me like a crazy person. I just can’t have that right now with my---”

Peyton stomped her foot, startling Hailey. She pushed forward angrily, her light brown hair whipping as she shouted.

“Well, excuse me, Gunner!” Hailey nervously started playing with her fingers. “Excuse me for worrying about my brother! A few hours ago, you were lying on the football field, not moving! I’m sorry if I was scared and just happy to see that you were OK!”

She twirled and stormed to the other side of the room, huffing loudly as she crossed her arms.

I should not be here for this.

Hailey’s father quietly exited, but for some reason, she remained.

“Gunner, you need to apologize to your sister. Now. She was just worried about you. I mean, we all were.”

His mother came close and put her hand on his bare back, causing him to flinch.

“Yeah, well.” He turned toward them and finally made eye contact with Hailey. “I’m fine, so everyone can just, you know, stop worrying.”

He is not fine.

He threw his shirt on the bed, leaning down while trying to remove the ice.

“Sweetheart, let me help.” His mother grabbed the bag, the pressure making him grimace in pain.

“Damn, Mom!”

Hailey jumped back at his loud, echoing shriek .

“I’m sorry, Gunner! I just---”

“Stop talking to Mom like that.” Peyton had taken a step in their direction, and the two locked eyes.

“Whatever, P. Let’s just go home.” He appeared to have understood the warning from his sister. “I’m tired, and I don’t want to be in this damn place anymore.”

He leaned against the side of the bed, working hard to get his shirt over his head.

“You know, Gunner,” Peyton’s voice went cold as she stomped to the door, “no matter what happened in the game, whether he won or lost…” Gunner’s eyes shifted to the floor, as if he knew what was coming. “Dad never acted like you. He never acted like a selfish jerk, like you.”

Oh no, Peyton.

Hailey gritted her teeth. Her father was motioning from outside for her to join him.

“Peyton!” Gunner’s mother took off after his sister, sprinting through the door and leaving them behind.

Say something.

“You should go,” he finally said. “No need to stick around anymore.”

Her heart dropped.

“Hails.” Her dad motioned again for her to join him.

Right.

She did not speak. Instead, she merely took one more look at Gunner, at the pain still washed across his face. She wanted to stay. In fact, it took every ounce of energy that she had to walk out of that room and not say anything to him in response. However, staying would mean that they were something more than just friends.

And we are not.

Hailey knew now that she wanted more. She wanted to help, to show him how strong he really was, but he was clearly not ready for it.

An overwhelming sensation of helplessness hit her as she made her way down the hallway with her father. The rotating hole in her stomach returned in full force, and she had to inhale sharply to prevent a tear from running down her cheek.

And he may never be ready for it.