Page 27

CHAPTER 27

GRIFFIN

W e win the coin toss and choose to kick off, placing our defense on the field first. We need to set the tone immediately by keeping them from scoring on the first drive. Show them we’re here to dominate.

Our kicker sends the ball sailing through the air; their punt returner catching it deep in his territory. Our special teams runs downfield, tackling him just shy of the twenty yard line. The Silverbacks fans roar their approval, showing just how fired up they already are.

“Nice,” I say, watching our defense run out onto the field.

“It’s go time,” Thor shouts, clapping his hands.

I smile confidently. “They’re ready.”

“I don’t think any of us could’ve prepared any better than we have,” Thor says.

“I agree. Coach has been on fire with his postseason game plans. Like some genius.”

He smirks. “More like a dickhead genius.”

I laugh. “Right. But a great plan only works if we successfully carry it out.”

He nods. “Exactly. Which is why we’re going to execute every single play.”

“Absolutely,” I agree. I glance around, wishing I could see Christine. Knowing she’s here watching means so much to me. When she arrived at the hotel, I felt a huge sense of relief. I’ve missed her and her unwavering support even more than I expected. This week has been one of the most exciting and challenging of my career. Taking that nap earlier with her was the best I’ve slept since I’ve been away.

Rogan comes over, his helmet in hand, and juts his chin toward Thor. “Are you ready to do this or what?”

“Fuck yeah.”

Rogan’s gaze shifts to me. “What about you? Are you ready to go out there and show them what you’re capable of?”

I don’t need to think about it. “Do you even need to ask?”

He grins. “That’s the attitude we need for the entire sixty minutes of game time.” He pauses, glancing down the sideline. “Where’s Cooper?”

“Probably pissing his pants right about now,” Thor jokes.

“I’m right here.” He pops up from the bench behind us. “Fuck you and your pissing my pants comment.” He pokes Thor’s chest, feigning anger, and then winks.

Thor chuckles. “Hey, you’re a rookie. I wouldn’t blame you for being nervous.”

Cooper raises his hand, holding his palm face down. “Steady as a fucking rock, baby.”

“That’s what we like to see,” Rogan says. “We must take this game one play at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. We stay present, remain calm, and play for each other. That’s how we come away with a victory.” He extends his fist, and one by one we bump it, locking in our plan.

Our defense holds strong for three downs, shutting down their offense and forcing the punt.

“Three and out, baby. Can’t ask for more than that,” Thor says.

Pulling my helmet on, I fasten the chin strap. I take a few breaths, inhaling through my nose and exhaling from my mouth, as we watch our punt returner wave for the fair catch at the thirty yard line. We’re starting with a solid field position.

“Offense, get out there,” Coach Chubb shouts. As we hurry onto the field, the weight of this moment begins to settle in along with nervous flutters in my stomach. But there’s no room for nerves, so I push them aside and focus on what I’m doing.

We huddle up and Rogan fills us in on the play call. Before we part he reminds us, “We stick to the plan. One play at a time. Stay focused. Let’s go.” He claps, and we break apart.

The first series goes smoothly. Rogan hands off to our running back, who powers through the defense for a gain of five yards. Then on the next play, he connects with Cooper on a short pass for a first down, and now the momentum is starting to build.

As we huddle up again, Rogan calls for a quick slant route to get me open across the middle. As we break to line up, I feel the energy of the stadium pulsing around us, as if it’s alive and tangible.

Thor snaps the ball to Rogan, and I explode off the line with all the power I can muster, my feet driving against the grass. The defender across from me is giving his all to push me off course, but I dig deep and use my strength to break free and run. After a few steps, I cut across the middle as the play designates. Having done this an innumerable amount of times, the route is forever burned into my mind. I see the football coming toward me, and I reach up, my hands connecting with the spiraling pigskin.

“Hold on to the goddamn ball.” I imagine Coach’s voice right before I tuck it against my chest. A large body slams into me, taking me down to the field with a bone-jarring force.

“First down, baby!” Cooper yells, pulling me to my feet. I toss the ball to the referee.

As I return to the huddle, Rogan claps me on the shoulder. “Great catch. Let’s keep the momentum going.” He calls the next play—a deep post route that will send me streaking down the field. I nod, already visualizing myself executing it. When we break the huddle, I feel my heart pounding behind my ribs, and adrenaline courses through me.

The crowd’s volume turns deafening as we get in position. I can barely hear the count before the snap, but I remain patient and avoid jumping offside. I rocket forward as Rogan drops back, and my defender sticks with me like glue. I shove free and take off down the sideline. Glancing over my left shoulder, I see the ball cutting through the air toward me like a small missile. The trajectory of the throw is so precise, it practically floats into my hands. Tucking the football close to my body, I sprint, pumping my legs as fast as possible. I don’t let up until I’ve successfully crossed into the end zone. I point toward the sky, murmuring, “That’s for you, Mom.”

My teammates surrounding me, I soak in the celebration while keeping in mind that scoring a touchdown in the Championship Bowl is awesome but it’s only one play. And this game is far from over.

Our defense continues holding strong, shutting down any attempt Chicago makes to score. They even block a field goal attempt by them. By the end of the game, they’ve only scored ten points while we have thirty-four.

Thor and Cooper sneak up behind Coach Chubb, dumping the Gatorade bucket on him. Confetti rains down on us as my teammates and I celebrate. The Silverbacks fans remain in the stadium, taking it all in.

Family members of my teammates start coming onto the field. My head swiveling from one direction to the other, I search for Christine.

Rogan comes over standing next to me. “Great game, bro.”

“It was. You played exceptionally well, and one hundred percent deserve to be the MVP.”

“To be honest, I didn’t expect that.”

“If not you, then who?” I ask. In my mind, no one else was as instrumental in getting the win.

“I thought you would get it.”

“That’s nice of you, but there’s no way I deserve it over you. All the completions you had, and not a single interception. You deserve all the accolades.”

“Thank you, but I couldn’t have done it without you. I can’t throw the ball and catch it myself.” He laughs.

“Are you sure? We’ve never tried it, so we don’t know,” I say.

“Rogan!” Autumn calls his name and runs over to him.

My eyes immediately seek out Christine, and I find her walking toward me at a slower pace, with our parents by her side. I can’t hold back the smile that stretches across the bottom half of my face as I move toward her. When we meet, I pull her into my arms and slam my lips down on hers. Our kiss is the best part of my celebration so far.

“Oh my,” Shirley exclaims just before we separate.

I stare down into Christine’s shining eyes. “You didn’t give me a chance to congratulate you,” she says, smiling.

“That kiss was all the congratulations I need for now,” I tell her before I step to the side to see my dad.

He pulls me into a hug, slapping me on the back. “Son, you were amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad. I’m glad you were here with me.”

“Shirly come on over,” Dad says. She slips in to embrace me.

“Congratulations, Griffin. That was some game.”

“Thank you. It didn’t end up being the battle we anticipated but I’ll take the win, for sure.” I turn back toward Christine, and find Nelson standing next to her. He moves in to shake my hand.

“Dude, you were incredible. I can’t believe I got to see the game in person. I swear I pinched myself like ten times during the game to make sure it was real. Ask your girl. She hit me and told me to stop.”

“I slapped at your hand, you big baby,” Christine explains.

I look between them and grin. They really are like brother and sister.

“Thank you, everyone. It means a lot that you were here cheering us on. Especially you, roomie.” I wink at her, and she flushes. “I know before we met, you weren’t a fan of football, but I like to think you are now or at the least you’re a fan of a football player.”

“Oh, I’m a fan of a few football players now, but there’s one in particular I’m in love with,” she confesses. Her gaze flicks between her mom and my dad. “You’ve probably figured out by now that Griffin and I are in a relationship.”

“I may have had an inkling the other night,” Dad says.

Shirley gasps. “You knew and didn’t tell me?”

Dad shrugs. “I couldn’t be sure. I figured if they were together we’d find out when they were ready to tell us.”

“You’re not upset about it?” Christine asks.

Dad shakes his head. “My son is the best man I know.”

“And my daughter is the best woman I know,” Shirley jumps in. “Why wouldn’t we want the two of you together?”

I wrap my arm around Christine’s shoulders and look down at her. “That was easier than we expected.”

“When’s the wedding?” Shirley asks.

Christine rolls her eyes. “On second thought…”