Page 45

Jack

T he stadium in Birmingham is loud with cheering and music and voices over the loudspeaker.

We’re facing off against the Pike Road Pirates, and these guys never lose. Last year they beat the opposing team by forty points, and they were both state championship-level teams.

The boys are antsy in the locker room, bouncing up and down in the tunnel heading to the field. When we run out, the stands erupt into screaming, and when we get to the sidelines, everyone’s on their feet and stomping.

I bring Levi into a huddle with Austin. “How are you feeling tonight?”

“Great, Coach!” Austin nods, shifting from foot to foot.

I look at Levi, but his expression is stony. On par with the last few weeks, he’s not making eye contact, and he seems a million miles away.

“This team is a beast. We’re not going to get away with anything.” I put a hand on Levi’s shoulder, giving him a little shake until he looks at me. “I want to lead out with you as QB-1. Are you with me? ”

His lips tighten, and his chin drops. “I don’t know, Coach. I’ll try.”

Not what I want to hear. “If it’s not happening, I’m taking you out.”

He nods, not even fighting me, and it’s like a punch in my stomach. I feel like I’ve missed something, but we’ve been together on the field every afternoon for the past two weeks. His dad acts the same as always, and I can’t account for it.

“They’re letting us call the toss.” I give him another shake. “Go do it.”

I hope the honor will boost his enthusiasm. Austin stands beside me watching, and I lean over to him. “Be ready to go in.”

He nods, and we lose the toss. Levi runs back to grab his helmet, and I catch him before he runs onto the field. “Give me all you’ve got out there.”

Again, he doesn’t give me much, and I glance at Austin. It’s going to be a tough game, and it’s a big ask for him to play the entire time.

Still, he’s young and hungry, and half the town is here. I’m not sure I have a choice.

We’re on the sidelines, and Levi takes the snap. Jogging back, he looks all over the field. Tyreek is wide open, and even Rich is waiting to take the ball. He hesitates too long and ends up trying to run, quickly getting planted by the Pirates’ defense.

“We’re going to have to take him out, Coach.” Buddy is at my side, and my jaw tightens.

I hear George in the stands losing his voice from yelling, and I cross my arms. Buddy is usually in the box, but Logan took that spot tonight. I lift my chin, and Garrett jogs over to where we’re standing.

“I’ve seen this kind of thing in the pros.” Garrett stands beside me as they line up to go again. “It’s like he’s already retired. His heart’s not in it.”

“Did something happen?” I look over at Buddy, who simply shrugs .

It’s fourth and twenty, and Rome runs out to try for a field goal. My shoulders are tense, and Garrett leans in so only I can hear. “Edward’s gotten more reliable than Rome.”

“I know.” My jaw is tense, and my throat tightens as the ball wobbles wildly through the kick, bouncing off the upright.

“We can’t do this here.” Logan’s in my earpiece. “Put in our leaders.”

Garrett revs up the defensive line as they head onto the field. “Keep us in this!”

I pull Austin close. “You’re playing the rest of the game.”

He nods, eyes serious. “Okay.”

Then I walk over to where Edward is quietly talking to himself several paces behind the team under the shelter of an awning. I wave, and he reaches up to take out an earplug.

“You’re taking over as kicker.”

His expression doesn’t change. He simply nods, putting the plug back in his ear and returning to whatever mantra he uses to block out the chaos.

Defense holds them, but one of our players gets hit hard. He’s on his back on the field for several minutes, and Garrett is with him, hand on his shoulder, helping him stand and limp off the field.

My jaw tightens. Another of our best players is out of the game. We can’t lose anymore.

We finish out the half with no points on the board, and when we run to the locker room, I know I’ve got to get their spirits up. Allie meets my eyes as I pass the girls preparing to do the halftime show.

Her pretty eyes are worried, but I give her a wink. It was so good to hold her all night, and right now, thinking of her pretty face relaxed and content as she slept in my arms goes a long way to break the punishing tension of this night.

The boys all take a knee in the locker room, and I look over their young faces.

“You’ve all worked hard to get here tonight.

You’ve sacrificed and pushed yourself for the last five months, and we’re here, at the state championship, about to do something this team has never done. Are you with me all the way?”

All but Levi yell enthusiastically, and I reach out to high-five and clasp the hands of those around me. “Defense, you’re making me proud. Offense, let’s bring it home.”

Stepping back, I let Garrett take over working his magic, and when it’s time to head back to the field, satisfaction is a calm in my chest.

It’s going to happen, and that’s not all…

The second half is a shutout. Austin, Tyreek, and Rich are a well-oiled machine. They move the ball down the field, completing passes, catching the tosses, and stiff-arming the cornerback.

At one point, Austin is caged, and I’m afraid he’s going to take the sack, when miraculously, the Pirates’ defensive player slips. Austin hops over him like a hurdler, and when his feet hit the turf, he runs like I’ve never seen all season for a forty-yard touchdown.

Both the cheer and drill teams are screaming, and Allie is surrounded by Rachel, Liv, and Dylan, who are screaming and crying. I shake my head and laugh, looking down at the turf.

I know the headline tomorrow will be something about my rare show of emotion, and I don’t give a shit. Austin’s having the time of his life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Pirates manage one touchdown, but in the last seconds of the game, I tap Edward to run out and kick a field goal. Lucas usually holds the ball for the punt, but I let Austin take it this time. It’s their last time on the field together, and they’re like brothers.

Rachel’s hands are clasped in front of her lips, and Allie has her arms around her friend’s waist and her head on her shoulder. It’s a family affair.

The ball sails cleanly through the uprights, and a cannon fires.

Confetti rains red and white all around us, and I jog onto the field to shake the other coach’s hand.

Turning to face the stands, I count the number of scouts there, and I know Austin will be fielding offers as soon as we roll back into town.

We’re on the field when they hand out the massive plaques with the engraving of the state and the year on them. State Champions is emblazoned in blue, and I hold it up as the boys gather around yelling and holding it over their heads.

We’ll find out players of the year later, but I expect Austin will be among the names listed, if not taking the top prize.

The guys fall back, and my mind is on Allie. We’re through the locker rooms, and I’m making my way to the waiting buses when I hear shouts. My throat tightens, and I look around, not wanting to find what I think is happening.

Sure enough, George Powell has Levi against the wall, and he’s in the boy’s face.

“You think you’ll get an offer now?” The man has him by the jersey, holding him against the wall. “Huh? You think you’re going to a top school playing like that?”

“I don’t care!” Levi yells back. “I don’t want to go to a top school. I don’t want any of it.”

The man rears back, fist clenched, and he’s about to punch Levi in the face, when I hustle forward, grabbing his upper arm.

“Stop!” I shout.

The older Powell jerks, trying to get his arm from my grip, but I’m not letting go. “Get off me, Bradford. This isn’t your business.”

“It is my business.” I meet his angry eyes head-on. “This won’t fix it.”

He jerks against my hold, snarling. “You let this happen. You’ve been thinking with your dick all season.”

“That’s enough.” Garrett jogs up to where we’re struggling with Logan right behind him. “You okay, bro?”

“Let’s get to the bus, Levi.” Zane’s tone brings a much-needed calm.

He holds out a hand to the boy leaning against the cinder-block wall, heaving a breath. Levi nods, pushing forward to follow Zane to the bus, and I loosen my grip on his father.

I think the situation is diffused, but dammit, George grabs Levi by the shoulder and shoves him to the ground, pointing in his face. “Don’t come home.”

I’m about to take off after the man when the boy beats me to it. He’s on his feet, running after his dad and giving him a two-handed shove.

The man falls forward against the fence, his head bouncing back off the links as his son yells, “I’m never coming back. I’m done with you. With all of this.”

His voice is shredded, and he takes off. Logan holds up a hand. “Let me handle it.”

Garrett and I exchange a look, and I know if anyone understands the special trauma of a punishing father, it’s Logan. I’m angry and aching, and I don’t even bother to check on George Powell.

One of the team trainers is with him, and I keep walking. I’ve got a busload of boys waiting for me, and something special planned for the beautiful woman I love.