On the next play, I did basically the same thing and picked up twenty-three yards. We were on their 37. We quickly ran to the ball to spike it. I took the snap, my arm dropped, and everyone stood up like I’d spiked it. I saw the Wesleyan defense relax. Roc had snuck up the sideline at a jog and acted like he was turning back to huddle up. Then he cut upfield, and his long legs began to eat up real estate.
I’d kept the ball on my hip to hide it. The Wesleyan defense suddenly realized that I had the ball. The crowd figured it out about the same time and roared. I threw one of the prettiest passes I’d ever thrown. The ball was in a tight spiral, and you could see the laces as they spun around. Roc about gave me a heart attack when he stumbled, but he righted himself and gathered it in as he crossed the goal line.
When we scored, there were eight seconds left. We received a fifteen-yard penalty for excessive celebration. I doubted Coach Hope cared. On the two-point conversion, I took a knee so we wouldn’t rub it in. We onside-kicked one last time, and the clock ran out. At that point, our fans rushed the field.
Damion sought me out during the chaos.
“We have to play together. I need to take care of some things to get my grades for college, but I want to play with you.”
“I’d love that,” I said and then wished him the best.
Mike and Alan wanted to act like asses.
“Slow your roll, knuckleheads. I know the Michigan coaching staff, and they won’t put up with the bullshit the two of you put out. If you want to keep that scholarship, don’t piss me off or I’ll make a phone call,” I said as a camera crew rushed up.
They both saw it and scurried off like cockroaches when the lights come on. That was the only problem if I decided to go to Michigan: I would have to put up with those two.
“How do you feel?” Jeff asked.
“Seriously? That’s what you want to know? Fantastic. I might even have to go to Disney World,” I teased him with the response most NFL quarterbacks gave.
Everyone knew they were getting paid to say it. I made a mental note to call Ms. Dixon and make sure the NCAA wouldn’t have a problem with that.
◊◊◊
It was announced that we were going back to Lincoln High, and there would be a chance for fans to show their appreciation at the Lincoln Field House. We didn’t hang around after they handed us the trophy. We quickly changed and got on the bus to go home.
When we arrived at the field house, it was packed with our fans, and the music was blaring. I about fell down when I saw Mac go up on stage, in front of the trophies, and start twerking to the music. She had on a cheerleader uniform, and it was the cutest thing. I was just glad Mac wasn’t my daughter. I caught it all on video so I could show it to her when she was sixteen.
A red-faced father—Greg—rushed up and picked her up. He gave me an evil look. I would share it with him later, and we would laugh about it. He would remind me that I was the one who taught her that dance move.
I was sort of zoned out when Brook found me. She pulled my head down so she could give me a sizzling kiss.
“You did good.”
“Thanks. It’s probably good that I’m off to LA tomorrow. I won’t know what to do with myself without any more football,” I said.
“I’ll be out as soon as school’s out,” she said and gave me a shy look.
“That’s right,” I said in mock horror. “I’ll be without adult supervision and my girlfriend for a couple of weeks. Do you think Halle will take advantage of that?”
“She better not.”
“You have nothing to worry about,” I said and kissed her again. “I love you, Brook Davis.”
“I love you, too.”
◊◊◊
Senior Year: Winter
Table of Contents:
Interlude
Chapter 1 – La La Land
Chapter 2 – J-drama Drama
Chapter 3 – Dinner with Springbok
Chapter 4 – American Party
Chapter 5 – The Plot Thickens
Chapter 6 – FBI / NCAA
Chapter 7 – Hiding From Your Stalker?
Chapter 8 – My Dream School
Chapter 9 – That Directional School
Chapter 10 – Destined for the Hallmark Channel
Chapter 11 – Not in Desperate Straits
Chapter 12 – You May Demand a Boon of Me
Chapter 13 – Soap Opera
Chapter 14 – How is Canada?
Chapter 15 – The Royal Palm
Chapter 16 – Spirit of the Season
Chapter 17 – Christmas Special
Chapter 18 – Best Christmas Ever!
Chapter 19 – Pride. Fear. Guilt. Pick a Number
Chapter 20 – Hard Choice
Chapter 21 – Change is Good, Right?
