It was a big game,but at that point, being one of the few undefeated teams left in the NFL made every game a big game. It was hard not to think about the playoffs, the Super Bowl.
One game at a time.
“Shit’s getting real.” Our offensive coordinator nodded toward the stands. “The bigger the game… the bigger the fights in the crowd seem to be.”
I threw the ball then turned toward the commotion.
“Lake.”
“What?” he asked.
I never let her distract me during the game, but I always knew exactly where she was sitting, and the brawl in the crowd, peppered with security guards that didn’t seem to have a damn bit of control over the fans, was exactly where her seat was with Shayna’s and Jamie’s.
“Monaghan? Where are you going? Stay the hell out of that,” my offensive coordinator called.
Even though my stomach wanted to empty its contents onto the field because I had a really sick feeling about the scene before me, I kept going, picking up speed. Jumping to the first row, I hopped over the railing and shoved my way into the thick of it. Within seconds I spotted Flint at the bottom of the stairs along with paramedics.
My presence drew a whole new commotion as fans attempted to shove shit into me to sign, and everyone had a camera phone in my face. Flint looked up and shook his head. I couldn’t see past the circle of people huddled around the paramedics, but when my eyes shifted to Shayna standing next to Flint, tears rolling down her face, I knew. The familiaryellow boot flopped to the side next to one of the hunched over paramedics confirmed my fear.
“Move…” I shoved through the congestion of people on the stairs. “Move… get the fuck out of my way!”
Flint had the nerve to try and step in front of me and block my pursuit.
“I’ll handle this. You get your ass back on the field.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Friends or not. I will plant your ass on the ground without a second thought if you don’t get The. Fuck. Out. Of. My. Way.”
“Cage!” Shayna hugged my leg.
Flint shifted his stubborn gaze to her then stepped aside.
“Lake’s bleeding…” Shayna cried.
“Stay with Flint.” I peeled her fisted hands from my pants and took one more step forward.
“Fuck,” I whispered as they lifted her body onto the stretcher.
She was strapped down, head in a neck brace and blood oozing from a slew of gauze pressed to her nose and mouth, but her eyes were open wide.
“Lake…” her name broke from my throat; it had a hell of a time squeezing past my heart lodged at the base.
Her eyes rolled to the side.
“Fuck, baby…” That’s not what I meant to say, but I just couldn’t think of anything but wondering what the hell happened. “I’m here. I’m coming too. I won’t leave your side.”
“Cage—”
I turned toward Flint, daring him to say one word. “It’s just a game.”
The look on his face hardened. “It’s not just a game and you know it. She’s just a girl, and she’ll be fine.”
I grabbed Shayna’s hand and pulled her toward me as I leaned forward and whispered in Flint’s ear.
“Fuck you and… you’re fired.”
LAKE
Two missing front teeth.
