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Hendrix

G ame day is the best day ever, and the first game of the season is even better.

We’re all back, we’ve been training hard, and today we find out if we’ll come together as a team. We’ll see where our strengths are and where we need more work.

Raven has her Rover now, and I kind of miss carpooling. But it’s fun to have Haddy alone in the car with me. We rock out to The White Stripes and Dwight Yoakum.

She kicks her little feet when I play “Fireball” by Pitbull, and I imagine all of us hanging out on a Thursday night at Cooters & Shooters.

My chest warms when I think of having her and my family all together. We’ll be back in Newhope in December for Zane and Rachel’s wedding. Dylan straight up told me I was in the wedding party, walking down the aisle with Raven like before.

I wonder if she told Raven that.

Raven instructed me on how to navigate game-day traffic, as if I didn’t already know how bad it is. I live close enough that I don’t have to stay in a hotel overnight like some of the guys do. Then she plotted out a route to the stadium that avoids it all. Gotta say, that KCLA gig is paying off.

She has all the directions and everything she needs for parking and getting to the box, and I talked to Rusty. Heather’s going to take care of them. The next time I’ll see them will be from the field.

I spend the rest of the afternoon hydrating, eating carbs, watching videos and reviewing plays with Tyler. We’ve been together long enough that we can read each other’s minds. I’ll keep my eyes on him and get clear, and we move the ball down the field like clockwork.

We meet with Coach, suit up, and it’s on. Following the Tigers chant, we jog from the locker room to the stadium entrance. All our PR folks line the path, and I give them a thumbs up to post on social media.

Music plays in the stadium, and some of the guys dance and shout to get hyped. Fans love that shit, and Tyler and I usually do a little hand jive routine.

“Ready to do this?” He grins, bumping my fist with his.

“Born ready,” I shout back, doing a point and a hip move.

We’re on the sidelines surrounded by the roar of the crowd, the voices on the Jumbotron, and “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones. They always play that one or “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses.

“Hey, bro!” Rusty walks over to slap me on the back. “You weren’t back there crying over Taylor Swift again, were you?”

Shaking my head, I look at my cleats. “I’ll never live that down, will I?”

“Nope.”

Rusty’s about three inches taller and one hundred pounds heavier than me, with fiery red hair. He invited me to join him and a few other players in buying a VIP box for our families. I can afford my own, but I didn’t want Raven to be by herself during the game .

“Check it out.” He points across the field to the glassed-in case above the forty-yard line.

Looking up, I expect to see Raven and Haddy with a bunch of the other WAGs. What I don’t expect is to see them both decked out in royal blue jerseys with the number 85 in bright yellow on both their chests.

“What?” I shout, breaking into a laugh.

I point up at them, not sure if they can see me, but Raven lifts Haddy’s little arm and makes her wave. The announcers say something about Hendrix Bradford pointing to a new face in the player’s box.

The screen flashes, and I see a full shot of them on the jumbotron. They look really good in blue. Raven’s pretty hair is down around her shoulders, and Haddy has two tiny blue puff balls on the top of her head.

I can’t help another laugh at how cute she is. I really like seeing them up there watching me— a lot . Looking down, it’s getting harder to keep in mind this is all a business arrangement, a means to an end, temporary. My jaw clenches.

“We’re up.” Tyler jogs to me from the field. “Ready to show them how it’s done?”

“Let’s do it.”

O-line gathers around, Tyler takes a second to call the play, and we head onto the field. The Commanders line up in a split-T defense, and my eyes are downfield.

At the snap, I shoot up the center to where it’s clear, looking back as Tyler falls to the right. I dig in, getting away from a big lineman, and as soon as I’m open he sends a tight spiral into my waiting arms.

Digging in with my toes, I break to the left and head in the opposite direction, barely missing a cornerback, who goes down at my side. Another guy heads at me, but at the last second, he inexplicably goes down. My legs go up, and I sail over his back like a hurdler.

Two more steps, and it’s a first down .

The crowd goes wild, my teammates are around me, and we quickly slap hands before heading back to the line. It’s pretty much the same every time. Tyler calls it, and I execute. Play by play, we work the ball down the field until it’s fourth and goal.

“You’re going down, Bradford.” A big lineman snarls across from me. “I’ve eaten burritos bigger than you.”

Pressing my lips together, I snort a laugh. Garrett loves to chatter on the line, so I’m used to talking trash.

“Hope you like greens,” I holler back at him. “You’re about to eat turf.”

The ball snaps, and dammit, that guy shoots right across the line. I take a spin and fake to the right, looking back at Tyler. His eyes are on me, and he fires the ball hard.

It’s a good pass, but 53 is hot on my heels. Vince, our wide receiver is across from me, and I flick the ball to him just before I’m down with a loud Oof! Looking up from the ground, I see the crowd go wild.

The big guy is off me, reaching down to pull me to my feet, and I see Vince run it in for the touchdown.

“Nice try, bro,” I shout before jogging to the sidelines.

Everybody’s happy when I get there, slapping shoulder pads and laughing. Vince jogs off the field and we do a fist bump. “Way to be there.”

Our kicker heads out, but I look up at the box. Last night I went over the basic plays with Raven. I told her about first downs and field goals, touchdowns and extra points. I explained to her what a tight end does, and how Tyler and I work together.

When I look up, she’s looking down at me, and I give her a wave. She’s bouncing Haddy, waving her little arm at me, and I smile. They’re really cute up there.

“Man, I taste blood.” Tyler steps in front of me. “Did I bust my lip?”

“I don’t see anything—you’re good.” I pass him a plastic squeeze bottle. “Rinse and repeat.”

Harlow is on the field, kicking all the way to his nose for the extra point. Looking around, this is my tribe. These are my guys. For years we’ve worked together every week. We’re a team.

Glancing up at the box again, I rub a hand over my mouth as I watch Raven and Haddy bouncing and smiling in those bright blue jerseys with my number on them, one little arm waving at me. A team or a family …

“Let’s go.” Tyler slaps my shoulder, and we’re back on the field.

With my head down, I put the conflict out of my mind. I focus on the burning in my thighs as I run, on locking eyes with Tyler as he waits for me to be open, on rolling out of the way of 53, who seems determined to break my ribs, and stiff-arming the cornerback.

More plays, more movement. We’re in the lead by a wide margin, and I can tell everyone was right. This is the year we’ll go all the way.

Tyler snaps the ball on the last play of the game, and I shoot down the field, looking around to discover I’m wide open. Dang, the Commanders’ coach is going to hand them all their asses after this one.

I lift my hands, and Tyler grins, quickly sending a pass to me. It’s an easy score. I trot right into the end zone, toss the ball to the side, and beat my fist to my chest as the guys surround me, jumping on my back and shoulders.

Our other tight end Rogers butts his helmet against mine. “That’s how it’s done!”

Blue and yellow confetti falls on us, and everybody rushes onto the field. In the past I’d be jumping up and down with the guys, pulling them in for hugs and dancing to the music.

I’m still smiling, patting my teammates’ backs, but like a homing beacon, my eyes rise to the box. It’s empty now, and I expect Heather is bringing them down to meet us.

The reporters charge out to get their post-game sound bites. The woman from ABC goes straight to Tyler, and Steven from KCLA holds a mic in my face .

“You gotta tell us what happened out there.” He’s excited. “How did you get so far ahead of the pack?”

“I just put my head down and ran.” My helmet’s off, and I wipe the sweat from my brow. “Tyler’s got the arm, and he’ll find me.”

“I’ve got to ask you the question on everybody’s mind…”

I know it’s going to be about Raven and Haddy, and a pair of arms encircles my waist, surprising me. I didn’t expect Raven to do such an open display of affection out here on the field in front of everybody, but we’re all pretty amped.

“Great game, babe!” My insides wither at the sound of her voice. “The boy is back, and you’re all in trouble!”

“Mikayla.” I clasp her forearm, taking it off my waist and moving to the side, out of her embrace. “What are you doing out here?”

“What?” She laughs, whipping her shiny dark hair behind her shoulder. “I’m always out here for my boo!”

She’s dressed in a form-fitting red dress that hugs her hourglass figure. Her lips are velvet red, and she puts her arm around my waist again, hugging her body close under my arm.

“What are you asking, Steven?” She turns to the reporter. “Predictions for the year ahead, as if we need them? Championship ring right here!”

Her voice is loud and laced with laughter, and I feel like I’ve been caught by an octopus. I can’t get out of her tentacles.

“Actually, the question is who was the mystery woman in your box? The one with the baby?”

“Some family member from Newhope?” Mikayla blinks up at me, and my jaw clenches.

“No.” My voice is flat, and again, I try to get her off me.

“Let’s get out of here.” She leans forward, speaking seductively into my ear. “I know what you need after a win like that. I’m wet just thinking about it.”

“Bradford!” The ABC reporter is finished with Tyler and comes to me. “Great game, man. ”

Straining my eyes, I find Heather on the sidelines with Rusty. She’s holding his little girl, and he’s holding his baby son.

Heather’s eyes are on me, and she’s frowning like she’s annoyed. Raven and Haddy are nowhere to be seen.

The house is quiet when I finally get home. The lights are off, and it looks like they’ve all gone to bed. My chest falls. They were so cute in the box, and I’d been so anxious to see them since that first moment on the field.

I don’t know when Raven left, although I suspect it was as soon as Mikayla showed up climbing all over me. I’ve been grinding my jaw since it happened, and now it aches.

I’m still hyped up from the game, and I expect it’ll take a minute for me to come down. In the past, I’d leave the stadium with the guys and hit the clubs. Maybe I’d bring somebody home, a ball bunny or someone I didn’t have to worry about sticking around.

Now the thought turns my stomach.

Going to the kitchen, I figure I’ll grab something to eat and then crash out in the movie room watching football all night. I pull up short when I see Raven standing at the counter with a glass of water.

Her back is to me, so I speak softly. “Hey, I thought you’d gone to bed.”

She emits a little yelp, turning to face me with a hand on her chest. “I didn’t expect you back so soon.”

I walk closer to where she’s standing, my chest rising. “I wanted to see you guys.”

She’s dressed in soft white pants and a thin cotton T-shirt. Her hair is down, but her face is freshly washed. She looks ready for bed. She looks really good .

“Haddy was fussy, so I gave her a bottle. I thought we could get back ahead of traffic.”

“Did you?”

“No.” She’s acting cool, not like she’s upset or anything. “She fell asleep in her carseat, so I put her to bed when we got here.”

“I got here as quick as I could.” We’re standing, facing each other, and a charge is in the air. “What did you think?”

“You were really good!” Her eyes rise to mine. “I wasn’t sure what was happening most of the time, but you’re fun to watch. I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

“I liked having you there. Haddy was cute in my jersey.” I quietly add, “So were you.”

Her chin drops, and her ears light up. “Star said it’s what everyone does.”

“I really liked it.” I’d really like to reach out and pull her to me, but I wait.

“You must be excited. I know I am.” Her brow furrows, and she peeks up at me. “Didn’t you want to go out with your friends?”

“No.” My throat tightens, but I put it out there. “I wanted to find you.”

“But—”

“I’m sorry about Mikayla.” Reaching out, I take her hand. “I don’t know how she got onto the field.”

Raven’s shoulder rises, and she slides her hand out of mine. “She’s very pretty—a curvy, brunette, celebrity. She’s way more your type than I am.”

“She’s not my type at all.” I think of her proprietary behavior, running onto the field and grabbing me when we’ve been over for so long. “She’s the one I told you about.”

“Your one long-term relationship?” Her nose wrinkles.

“It wasn’t a relationship.” Frustration burns in my throat. “ She only used me to blow up her socials. She’s an influencer. We never talked about anything like movies and shit.”

Like we do .

“She seems very comfortable with you.”

“I’m not comfortable with her. I told the guys not to let her near me again.”

Raven’s brow furrows. “Why?”

“Because…” My voice rises. “I would never do you like that, Pink. It’s disrespectful.”

Her full lips pull downward. “You don’t owe me anything, Hendrix. You can see whoever you want.”

“She’s not who I want to see.” Doesn’t she understand?

Holding out her hand, she’s so logical. “Maybe we could use her as our excuse… when it’s time.”

“No!” Her eyes blink wide, and I exhale slowly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I don’t want to use her for anything. I don’t want her.”

I want you …

With a little nod, she turns away. “Still… I think it was a good thing. I was starting to forget why I’m here.” She looks over her shoulder at me, attempting to smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I think maybe you were, too.”

Shaking my head, I exhale. “I remember.”

“We were getting, shew , way too close.” She waves a hand, pretend-talking to herself. “Like, what are you doing, Raven? This is strictly a means to an end. Get it together.”

“Right.” My voice is quiet, and I rub my hand over the ache in my stomach. “It’s also so I can spend time with Haddy.”

“Yes.” She straightens, doing a little snap-point like I found the right answer. “We’re doing this for Haddy.”

Our eyes meet, and the air around us feels heavy. I want to argue. I want to say everything has changed. What’s happening here is different, and maybe it’s worth the risk.

But whose risk is it? Who’s ready to give up their dream to make it happen ?

So instead, I say goodnight.

It’s only been a few weeks, and yes, I remember why she’s here. I remember who I am.

I’m a player. I love football. We made a deal, and in the end, we’ll shake hands and walk away, just like she said.

Like nothing ever happened.