Bastard.
“Hopefully you’re prepared to lose,” he says, giving my hand an extra tight squeeze.
“Only losers here are you,” Colin cuts in before I can.
“Gentlemen. We don’t want to kick you out before the game.” The ref eyes all of us. The game hasn’t even started yet and they’re out for blood. “Let’s make it a good clean game.”
Vegas wins the toss and defers to the second half.
“Your head in the game, Young?” Coach asks as I grab my helmet.
“Yes sir.” I don’t maintain eye contact, instead watching as our special teams returns the ball to the fifteen-yard line. Not great starting position in these conditions.
“Gutter Away Houston. Got it?” Williams, our offensive coordinator, pops up next to me.
I nod, running out onto the field.
“Good strong start, got it?” I eye each of my linemen and receivers.
“Let’s shut them up!” Colin yells, pounding the pads of the closest player to him.
“Gutter Away Houston, on three. Break.”
Everyone moves into position as I get behind my center. My eyes track the defense, not settling on any one player to give the play away.
Calling it, the center hikes the ball as I drop back, watching everything unfold before me. One of the linebackers gets around our tackle and I scramble. Backing up a few steps, I find Colin and throw the ball toward him.
The split-second delay allows him to only get six yards down the field before sliding out of bounds.
The weather isn’t going to do us any favors as the next two plays don’t gain us any yards.
Three and out. Worst possible way to start the game.
“Gonna be a long day for you, QB. A lot more where that came from,” Hollins shouts as the lines switch up on the field. “Just you wait.”
It takes everything I have to jog back to the sideline. All the tension inside of me is looking for a release. What I wouldn’t give to be able to take it out on that dick.
But I can’t do anything to jeopardize the game for my team.
For the first time in a long time, no one drops down next to me on the bench. It’s like my aggression is radiating out from me and keeping everyone at bay.
But the nerves keep me from sitting still.
I pace on the sidelines as our defense tries to stop Vegas’s offense from charging down the field. Instead, they steamroll right over us, easily taking the ball into the end zone.
Fuck. Vegas is off to a strong start, our fans voicing their distaste with boos.
“Alright boys. Time to get our heads in the game. Let’s tie this up.”
I get a few skeptical looks from the guys—because clearly it’s my issue that’s causing the team to flounder.
But it’s only the first quarter. We can get those points back.
Rushing back onto the field, Vegas’s D-line stops us on the first play.
Shit. Getting the guys back into the right headspace is going to be harder than I thought. Heads are hanging as they come back into the huddle.
“Alright. Let’s shake it off. Charlie Blue Thirty on two.” Everyone claps their hands, getting into position for the running play. It’s going to be a fight to get every yard in this game with the rain coming down.
