“You just want him to be able to walk onto the field and stand there?” Doc clarified.
When Ray nodded, I knew I’d won. He was just as keen to have me on there for the final minutes of the game as I was to be out there. This was going to happen. It wasn’t going to be the fairy-tale ending I’d dreamt about, but it was better than the alternative.
“What if we lose because of me?” I asked timidly. As much as I wanted to be out there, I wasn’t about to cost my team a win because of it.
“We’re up four to zero. We’ve got this. And we’ve got your back,” Ray confirmed, clapping his hand on my shoulder before heading back out of the room and leaving me sitting there, my eyes darting between my knee and Doc.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Luca? It’s your knee,” he reminded me.
“Let’s do it. Even if I only get out there for two minutes, I’ll be happy with that,” I confirmed as he reached for the wide roll of tape.
After a quick pain-killing injection into my knee, he strapped it so tight there was nothing going to move in there. I could barely bend the damn thing. Doc’s offsider appeared and offered me crutches. Obviously, he wasn’t in on the plan. The last thing I needed to do was to be caught wobbling around on crutches before making my way back out onto the field.
Slowly, I inched my way off the table, my good leg taking all the weight. That was fine. That was easy. But as I took my first step, I ground my teeth so hard I would be shocked if I had any left.
“Take it easy,” Doc reminded me as he fell in step beside me.
The three of us walked slowly back down the race, the noise getting louder as we approached the field. When I’d hobbled off, I’d refused to look up. It didn’t take a genius to know everyone was staring down at me, no matter which team they were barracking for. I didn’t want to see the pity and the defeat on their faces. And I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing it on my family’s. So, I’d kept my head down and hurried by. Well, as much as you can hurry by when you’re on one leg.
We made it to the bench, and I heard my name being called. I would’ve put money on the fact they thought the next time they saw me I’d be wrapped in ice, wearing my jacket and done for the day. And on any other day they would’ve been right. It’s not something I’d usually risk. But today was different. Today I had to leave everything I had out on the field, because for me, there was no tomorrow.
When my butt hit the pine, Doc looked down at me and, using his best fatherly voice, he said, “You have five minutes left in that leg. Eight at best. You go out there. You don’t run. You don’t kick. You don’t tackle. You can stand there and watch. But that’s it.”
“Geez, you make me sound about as useful as a witch’s hat.” I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
“Luca, I’m serious.”
“I know. I got this,” I offered with a wink.
I don’t know if he believed me or not, but he left me sitting there while he headed in Coach’s direction, no doubt to give him the same lecture.
Minutes ticked by and I watched the clock as much as I watched my teammates running around out there, kicking the ball back and forth. I didn’t even realise I’d been muttering until Troy, Coach’s right-hand man, dropped into the seat next to me.
“You’ve got a good football brain,” he stated.
“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not,” I admitted.
“It is. Trust me.”
“You sure about going back out there?” he asked.
“Yeah. I need to do this.” I hoped he understood.
Staring up at the scoreboard, I watched the minutes pass. Each time another minute was wiped off the clock, the end grew closer. I’d never admit it, but my emotions were overriding the pain.
Now though, now it was real.
“That’s why we’re going to let you,” Troy confirmed, and I couldn’t help but look past him to where Coach was standing on the sideline, hands buried deep in his pockets. When he caught my eye and offered me a nod, I knew they got it.
At the eighty-fourth-minute mark, I was given my signal.
Rising from the bench, I shifted awkwardly, trying to mask the pain. I needed to hide it long enough to get onto the field and away from everyone’s worried glances.
It took another three minutes before I stepped back onto the field.
When the crowd broke out in applause, I stopped staring at the green grass beneath my cleats and looked out at the stands. I’d never be more grateful for anything in my life. It seemed that everyone was on their feet, clapping and cheering and waving flags.
As I hobbled past Harry, one of my teammates, he looked like he was about to say something, but when I shook my head, his mouth snapped shut. Forgetting everything else, I focused on the game at hand, praying like hell my teammates could do me one last favour and keep the ball as far away from me as possible. I wasn’t going to be able to help them. They were on their own. I was just out here to hang on for the ride.
