Melody
Shitty. I told her it’s not how I handle my business. I gave her an ultimatum, and she left… taking our entire subscriber base with her. I almost got evicted. That’s why I was driving an Uber.
My brow lowers, and another piece of the puzzle falls into place.
Knox
Is that why you were so angry with me?
Silence falls between us, and I wonder if she’ll tell me the truth. When I asked her before, she said the show wasn’t about getting back at me. I still think it might be.
Even if it is, I can take her critiques. I’ve had tough coaches, and she’s basically the same, only her feedback is given with a healthy dose of snark in front of the entire fucking sports world.
As if I royally pissed her off somehow… in an Uber, almost a year ago.
It’s so rare for me to lose my temper, but how could she know that? Last year was stressful as fuck, and I still don’t respond well to having a mic shoved in my face asking for a hot take or some inside scoop.
Chet loves to catch me off-guard with an unexpected question. It kind of reminds me of how she describes her old partner.
Melody
I’m a fan. I want the Saints to win. As it stands, you’re the most talented liability on the team.
Knox
Thanks for not sugarcoating it.
Melody
I told you I’d never lie to you.
Knox
I’m sorry I shouted at you.
Melody
Play better.
* **
Back at homein the Dome, I’m on fire against the Panthers. I manage to complete several long passes to Baker and Kyler, and they ran two of the three in for touchdowns.
I also took the checkdown as everyone insisted. It kept me from being sacked or us losing the ball, but nothing makes me happier than that long pass, the drama of holding my breath, every muscle in my body straining, nerves firing, waiting to see if it’s…complete!
Relationships are the best things about playing on a team. It’s a tough, brutal game. We’ve watched friends be carried off the field, and we know any season could be our last.
But the adrenaline rush we get from working together, winning games, is incomparable. Nothing, and I meannothingbeats winning.
Like we did tonight.
“We’re going all the way,” Gill grabs me around the neck as we jump up and down on the field, holding our hands up at the fans, as black and gold confetti pours all around us.
The Cheer Krewe is on the field high-kicking, and there’s going to be a party in the Quarter tonight.
Fonz is beside me, waiting as I talk to the sideline reporter. Tonight it’s a young woman with a short blonde haircut. She’s smart, asking me about my red zone failure in the third that could have cost us the game.
“Do you worry the Quarterback Princess will have something to say?” She grins up at me, eyes twinkling with mischief.
