The Playmaker (A Big Play Novel Book 1) (8 page)

#13:

Blue and Orange All The Way

Tori

Dad needs me at Briggs. Can’t make the game. Have fun!

I frown at Amy’s text and drop my phone on the bed.

Poop.

Flopping down on the end of my mattress, I stare at my open closet door, eyeing the scrambled pairs of shoes on the floor. I’d been in the throes of choosing between my black and pink Skechers or my tan flats. The shoe choice kind of dictates what I throw on the top half of my outfit. Now I’m not sure I even want to go.

A Raiders game without Amy right beside me. That’s like stupidly scary. This will only be my third one, and who will I sit with if I go alone?

I nibble my lip, fighting disappointment and a sharp twang of anger. How could my bestie ditch me like this? She knows how important these games are to me.

“Don’t be a dork, Tori.” I sigh, picking up my phone and texting back a breezy message. It’s not fair for me to dump my fear on Amy. If her dad’s short-staffed, she’s always the first one he calls. The poor girl works like a Trojan for her father.

Still, I’m feeling like a bird about to be thrown from the nest as I contemplate the thought of attending the game, and bonfire, alone. Colt’s expecting me to be at both. I really have to show, but he probably won’t even notice if I’m not there.

My second sigh is heavier than my first.

Operation Fall for Tori
is going well, but it’s not a flawless plan. Colt is expecting me to go tonight so I can cheer on Mack.

I should just bail. I’m seeing Colt tomorrow for another
coaching
session, and that one-on-one time is way more important than vying for his attention tonight.

I nod. My decision to chicken out is the safest one to make, but it leaves me feeling like crap. I was kind of looking forward to watching Colt play. Football is way more exciting than I expected it to be. I love the tingle in my stomach as they set for the play, then the crunch of pads and helmets, the thrill of watching the running backs run and dodge the other team’s defensive line. The swell of the crowd as the Raiders make progress down the field, and the explosion of excitement when they score. It’s so amazingly cool.

I should go.

No, I can’t go on my own. It’s too lame. It’s too frightening.

My phone dings. I grab it, expecting to see something from Amy, and nearly fall off my bed when I see Colt’s name on my screen. A smile lights my face.

Don’t wear anything black or red. No Bears colors alowed. Blue and orange all the way!

“Go Raiders!” I giggle.

Have fun waching the game. I’ll see you at the bonfire, pixy girl.

I grin at his spelling mistakes, my heart inflating as my eyes snap back to my open closet. Looks like I’ll be wearing the tan flats. Jumping up, I snatch the shoes off the closet floor, hopping around as I pull them on my feet. I then grab the bright orange scarf hanging on the back of my bedroom door and loop it around my neck.

“Perfect.” I smooth down the light knit fabric, my insides skittering.

Pressing my hand to my stomach, I pull in a slow breath then yank my door open.

“Okay, let’s do this, Tori Jane.”

Voices catch my attention as I scamper down the stairs. I peek my head into the living room and my smile grows even bigger. “Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Burgess.”

“Hello, lovely Tori.” Colt’s mom tips her head at me, spreading her arms so I can give her a hug.

I kiss her cheek before stepping out of the embrace.

“Oh, Natty, she grows more gorgeous everyday.” She smiles at my mom, who replies with an affectionate, “I know.”

I’ve never understood why adults do that—talk about you like you’re not even in the room.

“So, you guys heading to the game, too?” I tuck a curl behind my ear and look at Colt’s dad.

“What game?” He raises his eyebrows at me.

“Uh…the…game. Tonight. At school.” My forehead wrinkles. “You know your son plays football for the Nelson High Raiders, right?” I wink at him.

He gives me a red-faced grin. “Right, of course. Yes, Colt did say.”

“You’re not going?” My voice pitches high with surprise.

Mrs. Burgess snickers. “Oh, Tori, if we went to every game, we’d have football coming out our ears. Colt’s obsessed with the sport.”

“But don’t you…” I look between them, still flabbergasted by their blasé attitude. If Colt were my kid, I’d be going to every one of his games. “I’m just surprised you don’t want to go and cheer him on.”

“Well…” Mr. Burgess looks at his wife and they share some kind of silent message. I can tell by their expressions that they’ve had this conversation many times before. “We don’t want to encourage him too much. There’s more to life than football, but he obviously needs to figure that out on his own.” He pulls a face that tells me he’s tried and failed to get Colt to see his side of things.

My loyal heart sparks for Colt, annoyed that his parents aren’t encouraging him to go all the way and play professional ball. They obviously don’t know how talented he is.

Mrs. Burgess studies my expression with keen eyes, a soft smile rising on her lips. “Is that where you’re heading tonight? I didn’t realize you enjoyed football?”

“Oh, well, you know…um, I’ve learned a little about how the game works and it’s kind of interesting and fun…and fun and interesting things are always good for us, right? I mean…” I clear my throat, suddenly hearing my nervous rambling. I let out a breathy laugh and grin. “I’ll cheer him on for you.”

“You do that.” Mom winks at me, her smile making my cheeks catch fire.

I dip my head and scratch my ear. “So, can I borrow your car?”

“Sure, Lenore and Tom are taking me to Briggs for dinner. If we’re lucky, your father might stop working for a few seconds to pop out and say hello.” She laughs and hands over her keys.

“Thanks.” I pull another smile and wave goodbye to my mother and Colt’s disloyal parents. I’m still kind of steamed as I walk out the door. They should be following me to the Nelson High field!

The ancient VW Beetle creaks as I open the driver’s door. Slamming it shut behind me, I drop my phone on the passenger seat and decide that I am going to be the loudest supporter there tonight. I’ve got three people’s worth of cheering to do. If there’s one thing I want the Raiders’ star playmaker to know, it’s that Tori Lomax is right behind him, and if she can have things her way, she’ll be watching him run onto a professional field one day.

#14:

Crunch Time

Colt

The tension on the field is thick and relentless.

It started the second we ran out and spotted the huddle of black and red players. Derek looked up and eyeballed Mack, smirking like an asshole before sending us all a silent warning.

My muscles have been taut ever since play began. We’re in the last minute of the first quarter and both teams have yet to score. The Bears have gotten close twice…too close, but I’m determined to show them they have nothing on us.

We’re third and seven—our last chance to make our mark before second quarter.

“Blue 32,” Mack calls.

I’m standing behind him, my feet poised and ready for the running play we discussed in the huddle. Finn is calling out directions to the line while I study the defense. Quaid has been mouthing bullshit all night, trying to throw us off. He’s hungry for a takedown, which is making his play sloppy. My lips twitch with a smile.

Adrenaline pulses through me as Mack shouts out the final call, “Hut, hut. Hike!”

Finn snaps the ball into Mack’s hands while the offensive line charges forward. I lurch into position and snatch the ball against my body, heading for the gap Finn’s creating for me. Last second, Quaid jumps into the space, killing my chance for a breakthrough. I make a quick cut right and dodge him, shooting down the field and straight for the end zone.

From the way Quaid was charging, he’s no doubt fallen on his ass. I want to laugh as I hug the ball to my chest and run. Guys are tailing me, but I can’t look back. Keep moving, that’s all I can do. The roar of the crowd spurs me on, along with Tyler shouting at me.

“Go, go, go!” He’s on my heels.

A flash of red and black charges me from the left.

“I got you, Trig! Keep moving!” Tyler shouts, surging toward the linebacker and taking him down. I pump my legs and race across the line.

The crowd erupts as I slam the ball into the ground, triumph making me heady.

I gaze up into the stands and catch a glimpse of bright orange material bouncing up and down. It’s Tori’s scarf. She’s on her feet, screaming like a groupie, her face flushed and vibrant as she cheers for me…I mean
us
.

The Raiders.

Mack.

An unpleasant burn rises in my chest, but I don’t have time to think about it. Tyler collides with me, jumping onto my back and slapping my helmet. “Yeah! Woohoo!”

He drops down and punches his fist into the air as we jog to the sideline. I’m passing a red and black player when my shoulder is clipped and I’m thrown off balance. I catch myself from falling and glare at my opponent, clenching my fists when I notice it’s Quaid Miller. He’s obviously playing both offense and defense tonight. Good; hopefully it’ll tire him out and make his play that much worse.

“I let you have that one, Burgess, but you’re not getting another.”

“We’ll see,” I growl.

“No, you’re going down.” He sniggers. “You’ll have to be carried off this field tonight, horse boy. I’m gonna make sure of it.”

Anger fires through me, and if it wasn’t for Tyler’s hand on my shoulder, I would have gone after Quaid and pummeled him to the ground.

“Not worth it, man.” Finn appears behind me, propelling me away from my antagonist and forcing me to take a seat on the sidelines.

“Good running, Burgess,” Coach yells at me.

I nod, whipping off my helmet and dropping it on the ground. My knee bobs as I wait out the defensive play.

The second quarter begins and our defense struggles to stop the Bears advancing. They gain fifty yards before we stop ‘em dead on fourth down. The ball’s ours again, but we’re deep in our zone. It’ll be a tricky play, but I can tell we’re all willing to do whatever it takes to make sure they finish this game on a big, fat zero.

I huddle up with the guys and face Mack.

“Okay, guys, we’re running a ten-strong zombie. We get that ball as far from our red zone as possible and we don’t let it back in there again. Colt, I need you to run like the frickin’ wind, man.”

“You got it.” I grin at Mack, who nods at Finn.

His smile is slow and easy. “We’ve got his back, don’t you worry. Those Bears ain’t gonna touch him.”

“All right, break!” We all clap our hands and move out of the huddle, taking our positions on the field. Electricity flows through my veins. I love this feeling—the rush, the adrenaline. It’s like a drug, and I want to stay high on it for as long as I can.

Images of playing for the Boise State Broncos distract me for a moment, but I’m called back into focus when Mack shouts, “Hike!”

He spins and thunders toward me, slapping the ball into my stomach as I rush past him. I hug it tight against my torso and head for the edge, ready to cut around the Bears defense and make as many yards as I can.

Finn’s behind me, leading his team of blockers who are set on keeping me safe. I spot Will over my shoulder. He’s covering my left side, but not for long. It’s like I see it in slow motion, a crazy string of events that I can’t stop from happening. Will’s body lurches to the ground as a Bear’s linebacker stops him with a cut block to the knees. He hits the ground with a crunch and I look up in time to see nothing but helmet coming straight for me.

It’s an illegal play. Those idiots!

That’s the only thought going through my brain as my eyes bulge and Quaid dives over the linebacker to take me out. His helmet hits me in the side, the force knocking the wind from my lungs. All I can hear is a crunching thud and for a second, I can’t feel anything.

“I warned you, horse boy.” Quaid snickers, slapping my chest before being hauled out of view.

“You asshole!” Mack is yelling. I want to turn and see what the hell is going on but the pain is kicking in, followed swiftly by the debilitating fear of what my injuries might be.

Thor just smashed out my ribcage with his freaking hammer. How many bones are broken?

I squirm on the ground, fighting for air.

“Okay, break it up!” the referee starts yelling at the players. I can vaguely make out Mack going after Derek and Quaid like some feral beast. Quaid may have been the one to take me down, but we all know it was Derek’s idea.

The crowd is jeering and booing. The crunch and scuffle tell me Mack’s not the only one fighting. Fear and anger vie for top place inside me. I want to get up and start brawling with my boys, but I don’t want to move and make anything worse.

“You okay, son?” Doc Tremlet takes a knee beside me.

“My ribs,” I murmur, running a shaky hand over them.

He runs his fingers over the area, concern flitting across his face. I want to shout at him to not look at me like that.

Don’t shatter my dreams, Doc. Just tell me I’m going to be okay.

“I think you’re going to be fine.” He looks me in the eye. “You’re out for the rest of the game, and you’ll need to visit the hospital in the morning for X-rays. I’ll strap you for the night though, okay?”

I can’t say anything. X-rays? Am I out for the season? How will that affect my chances with Boise State?

I might be worried about my grades, but I’ll have a snowball’s chance in hell if I’m not physically capable of playing.

“Come on, let’s go.” He slides his hand beneath my shoulders and helps me sit. Another hand grabs me from the other side and I look up to see Finn. He pulls me up and wraps his arm around my waist, helping me off the field.

The crowd applauds me as I shuffle toward the locker room. I can’t look up and acknowledge them.

Finn lets me go and I walk beside Doc as he guides me away from the game. I glance over my shoulder to see that the fight has been broken up. Referees are handing out penalties for the two illegal Bears plays, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. They don’t care. Quaid and Derek got exactly what they wanted tonight.

*****

Doc helped me out of my pads and strapped up my torso, protecting my ribs in case they’re broken. He tells me I’ve got to go home after the game and soak in a tub to relax my muscles. He’s also called my parents, which is like a kick in the balls to add to my injuries.

“You’ll be purple and blue in the morning, but don’t worry. The X-rays are just a precaution. If I thought it was that bad, I’d be driving you to the hospital right now, but a good night’s sleep and some painkillers will see you through.”

I nod, still struggling to speak. Doc’s words are a comfort, but they’re only making way for a black rage against Quaid. It’s bubbling in my chest, making my vision hazy. I want to find that shithead and take him out.

The clatter of cleats on concrete has me looking up in time to see my team piling through the door for the halftime break. Finn, Mack, and Tyler rush to my side, asking me the same question in three different ways.

I raise my hand to shut them up.

“I’m going to be fine, just major bruising and possible fractured ribs, but Doc says I can wait to get X-rays in the morning, so he’s obviously not that worried.” I look at the guys and their expressions are basically all the same—fear veiled under a mask of indignant rage. I get it, because I’m feeling the same things. “I’ll be back on that field before you know it, but in the meantime, kick their asses for me.”

“It’s a guarantee, man.” Mack holds up his fist and I pound it.

“All right!” Coach pulls us apart with his booming voice. “Now let me make something clear. Following up an illegal play with flying fists is not an option for the Raiders. I don’t care how dirty they play, you do
not
lower yourself to their level!” He points a fat finger at Mack. “I expect more from you. You’re lucky you weren’t kicked out of the game.”

Our captain’s cheeks flare red and I can see he wants to bite back, but Coach doesn’t give him the chance.

“I wanted to take out those little punks as much as you did, but I am telling you now that my players will not scrap on the field like five-year-olds. You show self control out there, or don’t play for me.” The warning sends a hush through the team. Coach Watson never makes idle threats. “And don’t even think about getting your revenge off the field, either. Do
not
find an excuse to go after them.” His steely gaze lands on me, his finger looking like a crossbow aimed straight between my eyeballs. “You stay away from Quaid Miller. If I find out that any of you are fighting with the Bears, you’re off the team. You got that?”

I nod along with the rest of my teammates.

Coach gives us all one more iron glare before getting down to business. “Finn, you and your boys need to be hyper-alert out there. Do not let them get past you. And defense, they are not to gain one more yard. You want payback? You beat them the only way that counts.”

His rousing words work like they always do, lighting a charge that whistles through the ranks. I scan the locker room, watching jaws clench and nostrils flare. Playing the Raiders any day of the week is hard work, but playing them when they’re pissed? That’s a whole new level.