The stadium erupts, everyone is on their feet. The sea of blue and gold standing and celebrating that we have made it to the playoffs for the first time in fifteen years.
Now-Elle
I don’t think I’ve ever been wound so tight. Archer is playing better than he has all seasons, but we’re still down by three, and I want him to win. They’re coming off two losses, the morale boost would be season changing. He’s told me all the progress he’s made on and off the field. Logging extra hours in the weight and training rooms, his additional sessions with Dr. Mondary. It needs to show how far he’s come. Not just for himself but for his team and this city.
Sadie, even though she’s in her beloved Phantoms’ colors, has been rooting for the Wolves as well. She grabs my arm and my attention snaps back to the field.
I see the pocket start to collapse, and my stomach twists.
Archer looks downfield—no open receivers. The rush is coming from every direction, and I hold my breath as he ducks a defender’s grasp. Archer tucks the ball under his arm and takes off.
He’s weaving down the sideline. He ducks out of the grasp of a Phantoms’ defender. I’m screaming for him to keep going. He dodges a Phantoms’ safety. My heart races as Archer sprints toward the end zone, the gap between him and the defenders growing.
He has a chance. The end zone is so close now. He doesn’t falter; he fights through the exhaustion he must be feeling at the end of the fourth quarter. Oh my God. He’s going to make it. I don’t hear the screaming of the crowd as Archer races to the end zone. Blood pounds in my ears as he crosses that line.
Touchdown!
The stadium explodes. Sadie and I are clutching each other jumping up and down. Screaming and hugging. The kicker goes in for the additional point. The ball flies through the goalposts.
Wolves win!
Something warm and wet rolls down my cheeks. I’m crying. Happy tears. I’m cryinghappy tears. Archer has tangible evidence and proof all his hard work is paying off. And I am so damn proud of him.
Chapter 11
Archer
The final whistle blows, and the roar of the crowd hits me like a tidal wave. My chest is pounding, sweat stings my eyes, but I’m grinning ear to ear. All around me my teammates are celebrating. They’re smacking each other’s helmets and patting each other on the back. I lock eyes with Coach, and he gives me a nod that says, ‘You earned this.’ I feel like this is the best I’ve played in a long time. All the additional work I’ve been putting in has shown. The mental game is just as important as the physical and I’m thrilled all my work with Dr. Mondary has paid off.
Basking in the triumphant feeling I look around at the stands. We are at max capacity in The Den and the atmosphere was incredible. Ellie was, no, is here. Her photo before the game was the last thing I saw before I ran through the tunnel. Seeing her in my jersey stirred some primal possessive part of me awake and it was the final push I needed in that winning drive.
Coach snaps me out of my thoughts and motions for me to head to the post-game press conference. Following him I make my way to the media room. I step up to the podium. Reporters’ voices blend into a low hum, and I focus on the first mic pointed at me.
“Archer, incredible performance tonight. What was going through your mind?”
I take a breath, replaying the moments in my head. “Honestly, it was all about staying calm and trusting my guys. We knew the Phantoms wouldn’t make it easy, so we stuck to the game plan, adjusted when we had to, and made plays when it counted.”
A reporter from the local paper jumps in, “That touchdown run was something else. Was that part of the plan or did you just improvise?”
I chuckle. “A little bit of both. I saw an opening and
took it.”
Another voice calls out, a voice I recognize immediately, Kirk Williams, “How does this win change the team’s outlook for the season?”
I’m honestly surprised that he asked a football related question. I direct my attention to him, channeling the very animal on my jersey. “It’s a huge confidence boost. We showed resilience, teamwork, and heart. But there’s still a lot of football left to play, and we’re hungry for more.” My smile is anything but friendly in his direction.
Questions keep coming and I continue to answer them, making sure I give every member of the team the credit they deserve. This win is big, and it’s exactly what the team needed to get our heads back in it after last week’s loss.
After the final question is answered I’m able to head to the locker room and shower. Once I’m showered and freed from sweat and grime, I check my phone.
I scroll through a barrage of notifications, various tags from Instagram, threads and X as well as texts from friends and family congratulating me on winning. I scan the messages until I find the one I want.
I pull up the message thread between Ellie and me. The last picture I saw before I ran into the field was her in my jersey. Damn she looks good in it. It’s followed by a picture I haven’t seen yet which is a picture of Ellie and Sadie celebrating. They must have asked someone sitting next to them to take their picture. Their arms around each other and their smiles light up their faces.
Ellie: Holy Shit! That touch down Archer! That was AWESOME! I’m so happy for you! You did amazing!
Elle’s text is followed by a gif of Kris Jenner with her iconic. “You’re doing great sweetie” line.
