“‘I always think you’re going to kiss me. But you never do.’ That’s what she said.”
He blinks, eyes wide, “And then…”
“And then she fell asleep. That was it. And we haven’t talked since.”
He tilts his head, eyes squinted. “You mean to tell me that you didn’t kiss her? After she practically begged you to?”
“There was no begging.”
“Why would she say that to you?” he prompts.
“I don’t know. I’m trying to figure it out.” I rub my forehead with my fingers, staring intently at the table in front of me, like it’s about to tell me the answers to all my questions.
“Tyson, are you kidding me? I know I’m supposed to be the smart one, but damn. She wanted you to kiss her!”
“Maybe she didn’t finish her thought? Maybe it was supposed to be… I always think you’re going to kiss me, but you never do AND THANK GOD.”
He gives me his best dad look, one he’ll get good use out of for the next ten years. “Tyson. That’s quite the fucking jump. Also, why do you leap to the worst possible scenario?”
Shrugging, I answer, “I can’t help it. It’s the first place I went.”
“I don’t know why you do that. Not only with Blair, but in general. You’re the nice guy, in the best way. You’re thoughtful and are always willing to lend a hand, but you don’t think it makes you worth it? Not to mention you never put yourself first.” His voice drifts at the end.
I understand what he’s saying but I can’t make it make sense. Doing things for others comes naturally to me but I don’t expect it from anyone. I think much more about my worth than I care to admit. It doesn’t help that my job is centered around the same concept, of course under a different approach and lens, but it’s allwhat can you give the organizationorare you worth what we’re paying you.
When Teague realizes I’m not going to bite—only one existential crisis topic at a time—he continues, “Back to Blair. It’s time to talk about it.”
“That would be way too logical,” I joke.
The truth is… I’m terrified. Afraid to ask, afraid to get an answer, afraid to put what we have at risk. When it’s out in the open, no more question marks, there’s no going back.
Teague’s face softens, like he can read my mind. To be honest, some days I wonder if he can. “You know you should talk to her. No matter what happens, isn’t it better to know? Once and for all?” My big brother’s voice hits me in the chest because I know he’s right.
Fuck.
Cosmos Cruise Past Serpents, Continue Wild Ride Through NFL’s Strangest Special Teams Season
UPSTATE, N.Y.—The Upstate Cosmos made easy work of the Seattle Serpents on Sunday afternoon, notching a 27–10 victory in what has become one of the most bizarre and compelling seasons in NFL special teams’ history.
A week removed from nearly missing the league’s ninety-minute roster window without an active kicker—before signing Blair Miller, the first woman ever on an NFL roster—the Cosmos prevailed once again without a single field goal. While Miller made headlines last week for drilling a game-winning extra point under extreme pressure, this week was all about testing the adjustments to the run game, and they delivered.
The Cosmos went 3-for-3 on two-point conversions, a surprising move that their head coach later said was “part strategy, part identity crisis.”
Miller added her second career point in the 4th quarter, calmly drilling an extra point to cap off a twelve play drive. While it wasn’t a game-winner, the sideline erupted—more out of appreciation than urgency.
The Cosmos' erratic approach to special teams has become the talk of the league, and honestly, all leagues. The Cosmos have opened the door to something unique; maybe a little risky, but it’s almost impossible not to cheer for Blair Miller. Within two hours of the Cosmos putting her jersey in the online store, they were sold out.
With Miller growing more confident and the offense finding rhythm on two-point tries, the Cosmos might just be proving that consistency is overrated—as long as you're scoring.
Nine
Blair
Tyson
can’t wait to see your costume
Me
