Page 35 of Off Sides

“I will wait until the season is over. I don’t want anything to jeopardize his game.”

Tyler stands, “thank you. Sorry for getting upset.”

I shake his hand, “you’re a good friend.” He needs more of them, the right ones. Jester and Tyler are sound for him.

I walk them out and then head home. I place my keys on the side table when I get home and walk to the kitchen to pour a glass of water. I don’t want to bombard Dasher with texts. I also don’t want to call. Like I said to the guys, I will wait until after the season.

I gulp down the water and strip down to swim in the outdoor pool. My high fences keep onlookers from looking in, another feature I liked about the property.

After lap one hundred, I go up to my room and collapse, tired for once.

50

Chapter 50

Dasher

Our first playoff game is against Greenville. The stories about them are rough. Just watching these videos has me putting an ambulance on speed dial, even though there are medical teams at the field.

The last video ends and Coach catches all our attention, “go home, carb load it up, get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be hell.” He’s not wrong.

Tyler rides home with me as we drove together. A few others are coming over and we’re going to watch a few more games and food. Eggs, pasta, and fish are on the menu. I think we’re just doing a bunch of stuff and making it buffet.

After watching those videos, I’m not sure if we have a chance in hell. I won’t admit that out loud. Even some of the veterans said the Greenville team this year is pretty stacked this season.

We watch a few more as we shuffle back and forth to the kitchen for food as it’s done. Daniela and a few of the other girlfriends and wives came to cook so we could get into the zone.

By the time I’m full of everything and my mind is reeling from the videos, I shuffle everyone out the door so we can all get some rest. Tyler and Jester stay, taking the guest rooms. I can’t sleep, I just lie in bed, staring at the ceiling. I need to sleep if I want to have any chance of winning anything tomorrow and I’m not talking about winning the closest parking spot.

Eventually sleep washes over me and I relax, hoping that tomorrow will go better than I expect it will.

51

Chapter 51

Raine

The crowd is hyped for this game. I’ve already seen three fights between Vegas fans and Greenville fans. I’ve never experienced that sitting up high in my box. Isobel’s smiling, taking everything in. We stopped for beers and stadium hot dogs. It’s a must do if you slum it in the stands. Okay, slumming it was kind of harsh. I’m not a people person.

People are talking about a blowout, Fortune losing. Even Vegas fans are expecting it. It the team loses; Dasher will be crushed.

The teams are warming up, and I seek him out. His parents are a few rows in front of me. When he sees them, he sees me. I wave but he turns. I don’t know if he saw me or if I’m a distraction he’s trying to avoid. I’m not here to cause problems, I’m here to support.

The teams take their places; the captains go for the coin toss. We lost. Greenville is receiving. Fortune’s defensive line takes the field and from play one it’s obvious that this is going to be a hard game. I feel for everyone of those players. Greenville scores and as the announcer booms it over the loudspeaker, the camera pans to Dasher. He waves at the camera, but I notice the fear in his eyes.

We all watch as he rushes on the field with the offensive line.

Jester snaps, Dasher steps back, looking for someone open. When he doesn’t see anyone, he takes off running. Everyone in the stadium is on their feet as he takes off. He gets to about the ten-yard line when he is brutally hit by one of the Greenville players. The whole place goes silent and then cheers when he gets up. He looks a little unsteady. The team lines up again, but they kick a field goal instead of running it. The line changes and Hart speaks to Dasher a few minutes before going back to watch the field. Dasher sits on a bench, and some medical staff do some eye tests.

They must determine he’s good to go because Greenville scores again, dominating the game. Dasher runs onto the field again and before he makes his play call he looks at me. I’m not sure what to do, so I just stare back. He should know I’m here to support him. He turns back to his line and calls out his play.

He passes to Dane, one of his running backs, who tries to find a pocket. There isn’t one, so he tries to just plow through, and he is taken down.

From where I am, I can see the frustration on the faces of the Fortune. Hopefully they will come back out after halftime with renewed hope or prayer.

52

Chapter 52