I elbow him. “It’s just a youth game.”
“Songbird, football is never just a game.”
I roll my eyes.
“What position does Otis play?” he asks during kick-off.
“Running back.”
Gage grins. “My position.”
The offensive team charges onto the field and Mila jumps to her feet. “Otis! Otis! Otis!”
Otis waves before he lines up for the play to begin. Gage doesn’t move as he watches the drive start. His knee bounces up and down as he follows the drive. Otis’s team easily gains ten yards and the drive continues.
The quarterback gets sacked on the fourth down and the drive ends. Gage scowls. “He’s tipping his run. Same speed every time. Same angle. Too honest.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He motions to the field. “Otis is hitting the hole at full speed immediately every time.”
“And this is bad?”
“Yeah. This is bad.”
“Go tell him.”
His brow wrinkles. “You said I’m not allowed to comment.”
“If the ref makes a bad call. This isn’t the ref making a bad call. It’s you helping my brother to become a better football player.”
“I’d love to give him some pointers.”
Those words hit me in the chest and spread warmth throughout my body. Otis has never had a male father figure to help him with football. And Gage is stepping in without a blink of an eye. He isn’t merely some football jock.
I stand. “I’ll introduce you.”
I follow him down the bleachers to the fence. I motion Otis over.
“This is—”
“I know who he is.”
Gage offers him his hand. “Gage Edwards.”
“Otis.”
“Do you mind if I give you a tip?”
Otis’s eyes light up. “Hell no.”
“Language,” I mutter.
“Addy, this is Gage Edwards. The best running back in the league. And he’s giving me a tip.”
“Which is no excuse to swear.”
Gage squeezes my shoulder. “Back to football. You’re explosive and strong.”
