Page 29 of Catching Kyle

Chapter 12

Kyle Weaver

WatchfortheQB.Break the gap. Grab the ball. Run like hell.

These are the same instructions Dad gave me back in High School, and they’ve helped me since. I am the best linebacker of the century, after all.

Offense snaps the ball, and my senses heighten, and it’s like everything’s slow motion. The QB tosses to the wide receiver on the left. I spot a gap in the line and burst through, too fast for the lineman to stop me. Just before the wide receiver catches the ball, I jump and seize it.

And then I start running.

And the whistle blows.

“Damnit,” I say through my mouthguard. “Come on.”

I take off my helmet, which widens my vision. The bleachers are mostly empty except for a few of our team’s officials. They’re likely putting together a strategy for this next season. And determining what role their linebacker is going to play.

I jog over to the huddle, still pissed that we didn’t do the whole play. Some coaches, along with my agent, are in those bleachers. I want them to see that I’m losing weight. That I’m getting faster. That I can outrun just about anyone on the field. Maybe then they’ll forget about this whole girlfriend deal and re-sign me based on my enhanced skills.

That’s what I’m hoping for.

“That’s enough for today,” Ezequiel says. Since he’s the most senior player, he tends to call the shots. I’m old on the team, too, but I don’t have too much to say of a say without an official contract. I’m just grateful that Ezequiel’s even inviting me.

I kick my cleats into the turf and curse to myself. I damn well hope that someone saw me out there. I gotta prove that I’m worth the trouble.

“You did good,” Ezekiel says jogging up to me.

“You think so?” I ask.

“Yeah, man,” he says. Then he marvels at my slimming torso. “And you’re slimming up.”

I pat my belly. “I’m already missing it.”

Ezekiel laughs. “I just can’t wait until I can eat what I want.”

I groan. “Tell me about it.” Retirement is only a year or two away for us. But I’m winning that Championship Game first.

We make our way to the locker rooms.

“You wanna join us for lunch?” He asks.

I shake my head. “Y’all go ahead. Got an appointment with my financial advisor.”

“Everything good?” Ezekiel asks.

I shrug. “He thinks we should discuss my charity donations now that retirement is coming up.”

Ezekiel puts his arm on my shoulder. “They’re gonna re-sign you. They’d be crazy not to.”

I wipe the sweat off my forehead as we reach the locker room. We go to our lockers, which are thankfully far away from other team members.

“I don’t know, man,” I say, lowering my voice. Reporters are already here, asking the other players questions. “I just think it’s wild that my job hinges on me having a woman.”

He sighs. “I get it.” I know he’s just being nice, but I doubt he does. Even if Ezekiel left his wife of five years, he’d be able to find one in a heartbeat. But not me. I’ve been trying find a woman my whole life, and now I got a three month deadline? It’s all bullshit.

“How’s that going by the way?” He asks.

My heart burns. “If you’re asking if I have a girlfriend, the answer is no.”