Sure enough, the Hawks score on their next possession. They march right down the field with a variety of pass and run plays.
But they can’t stop the Saints from scoring, and by the end of the first half, the game is tied 21-21. Jenson jogs off the field with the rest of the team, but he makes sure to wave up at us before disappearing into the tunnel.
He smiles, but his jaw is tight. I know how much this game means to him; to get win one under his belt with a new team, and to do it in the backyard of where he grew up, is an important homecoming for him.
“Football games are so stressful!” Hayley says. “I’m going to get something to eat. You want anything?”
“I’m good,” I tell her.
I turn to Kyle and Connor. “Your dad’s doing a great job with the offense. Smith looks fantastic.”
“But the game’s tied,” Kyle says with a frown. “We want to win.”
“It’s a long way from over, boys,” I say. “I have a feeling your dad’s got a few tricks up his sleeve. And hopefully, Randolph can stop the Saints from scoring, huh?”
The second half goes quickly, and with two minutes left in regulation, the score is tied yet again at 42 all.
“Randolph has the ball, so they’ve got a great chance to win,” I say to Kyle and Connor.
“This is going to be awesome!” Kyle says enthusiastically as he stands up and starts shouting “Go Hawks!”
Randolph makes it to the fifty-yard line, but then forward progress stalls. Before I can blink, it’s fourth down with only twelve seconds left in the game.
“Last chance,” I murmur to no one in particular. “Come on.”
I clench my hands together on my lap as I watch Jenson call the next play into his headset. Smith takes the snap, drops back, and rolls to the right. Jenson’s shouting from the sideline now, and Smith shifts left and throws without hesitation.
Emery, the wide receiver, breaks off a crossing route, sheds his defender, and bolts downfield. I can hear the rush of energy from the crowd as the ball arcs through the air, angling down toward a wide-open Emery.
Hayley shouts next to me about how fast he is, but my attention is back on Jenson as he runs up the sideline next to Emery. Jenson keeps pace as Emery catches the ball and heads for the end zone.
The crowd erupts when he crosses the goal line.
He spikes the ball, and Jenson pumps a fist in the air. Time runs out on the clock as Randolph wins 48-42.
Smith runs off the field and leaps into Jenson’s arms.
“Hot,” Hayley says next to me. “That was an awesome ending.”
“Can we go see Daddy now?” Kyle tugs on my shirt sleeve.
I look at the field filled with media, coaches, and players.
“Let’s wait a little bit,” I say. “It’s really crowded out there. We’ll see him really soon.”
* * *
Jenson
I move through the locker room, congratulating our players on the hard-fought win. I take questions from the media, and Dee brings Kyle and Connor in so they can share in the moment.
My boys have just left when Calvin, the annoying-ass reporter, steps out from the corner and beckons to me.
“Olivia’s outside waiting for you.” His tone is neutral, but the gleam in his eyes isn’t.
Making sure to keep my expression blank, I give him a quick nod and turn to leave.
“Jenson.” He steps uncomfortably close to me. “I’d be careful if I were you. Randolph’s board members are as conservative as our town’s residents.”
