They’d gone through three rounds of trivia and Nadia had surprised herself by answering quite a few questions and getting them right. Cerise fist bumped her many times and the other guys on the team had given her a high five.
“Okay for all the football fans out there, here’s a question just for you.” John, the trivia master addressed the crowd.
“Better be a Cowboys one.” Someone in the back yelled.
“Boo Cowboys. Go Texans.” Another person responded.
Nadia clamped her lips shut. She may have only been in Texas for a short while but she was well aware of the state’s love for football and the two teams that were based in the Lone Star State.
Being born and bred in Boston, Nadia was a firm New England Patriots fan, a fact that probably wouldn’t win her too many friends. But she loved football. Loved to study the statistics of her favorite players. It was the one thing she had in common with her dad and on Sundays when they watched their beloved Pats, they would discuss the tactics and the players performance.
“Quiet down you lot. Here’s question seven in this round of ten. In the 2000 combine these stats belong to which well-known quarterback: 5.24 seconds for the 40 yard dash, 24 ½ inch vertical jump, weighed 211 pounds and is 6ft 4 3/8 inches tall?”
Nadia bit back a smile, she’d recognize those stats anywhere. Around the table a few of the guys groaned in dismay.
“I have no fucking idea,” commented Brad, she thought his name was.
“Don’t look at me,” said Cerise. “Football is not my friend.”
“Let’s put down Peyton Manning.” Someone else said.
“Doofus, he was already playing then. What about Michael Vick, wasn’t he drafted in 2000?” Brad replied.
No way was Nadia going to let them put down a wrong question. She leaned forward and said quietly. “It’s Tom Brady.”
“Oh man, not that guy. No way would John put in a question involving the New England Patriots. The player has to be a Cowboy or a Texan.” The guy who suggested Peyton Manning responded.
Nadia withheld the urge to roll her eyes. As she suspected the hate was real, but she would defend her favorite team untilher dying day. “Trust me, those stats belong to the greatest quarterback of all time.”
“Oh please,” groaned Brad. “Let’s not start that argument. The guy’s a lucky bastard. The only reason he’s got as many rings is because of luck and not talent.”
“Eli Manning is the lucky bastard,” Nadia grumbled under her breath before raising her voice. “You keep on believing that. Guys, I’m from Boston. I love football and, please don’t hold this against me, but I love the New England Patriots. I’ve seen him play. Not only does he work harder than most guys on the team, he’s insanely talented. Those stats belong to Tom Brady.”
Everyone around the table went quiet. At present they were losing to another group by two points. Nadia drove home her point. “If everyone around here feels the same as you, they’re going to think it’s a person who plays or played for a Texas team. If you put Tom Brady down, I guarantee you, you won’t regret it.”
“Fine,” Brad said. “But if it’s wrong you have to buy a round of drinks for everyone.”
Nadia sat back, and crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re on and if I’m right, you all have to yell outTom Brady’s the GOATwhen the answer to that question is announced.”
Cerise looked at her and quirked her eyebrow as the other guys mumbled their agreement. Nadia smiled, she couldn’t wait for the whole table to yell out and how the other patrons were going to respond. It was going to be epic and she planned to have her phone ready.
Five minutes later Nadia sat on the edge of her seat, phone in hand as John prepared to announce the answer to question seven. They were tied with the other team that was beating them. A correct answer would put them ahead. The final three answers for the round were so easy that it was guaranteed their closest competitors would get them right.
“Okay,” John started and Nadia pressed the record button on her phone. “The answer to question seven. The quarterback from the 2000 combine, who those stats belonged to is”—he paused and Nadia made sure she had the whole table on the screen so she could video their reactions— “Tom Brady.”
Her fellow teammates looked at her, mouths hanging open, when they heard the groan coming from the other patrons.
“Yes,” she raised her hand in the air. “Come on everyone, I believe you’re required to do something?”
They rolled their eyes but a collectiveTom Brady’s the GOATresounded around the room. “And don’t you forget it. Go Pats!” Nadia yelled.
As expected the others in the bar started some good-natured cat calling and trash talking.
“Six rings, baby. Six rings.” Nadia wiggled her fingers, suddenly feeling extremely happy that Cerise had convinced her to come to the event.
“All right everyone, settle down, I’ve still got some answers to give out, the night is not over yet, but the band of Tom Brady fans are in front.”
Brad looked at her. “I’m never going to live this down, you know.” He tempered his words with a smile and a wink.
