Page 21 of Running
I’m surprised to feel disappointed that Landon has taken over the process with Lara, pulling me out of the mix of solving Grace’s issue.
I don’t examine the source of the feeling too deeply, though.
Instead, I begin to eat as Landon starts to talk about training camp arrangements.
But when I look in Grace’s direction two minutes later, our eyes catch. She mouths “thank you” with a soft smile on her face.
And I find that all my disappointment evaporates.
A little over a week later, our training camp begins.
Camp means three weeks of total immersion in football, spending all day at the Waves facility, starting real drills and eventually complete sequences. We stay almost every night at a nearby hotel where family visits are limited. Just the game and the guys occupying our time.
I love the demands and pressure of being the starting quarterback, but football is ultimately a team sport. It’s experiences like the next three weeks that serve as roots for our team chemistry and success. As a leader, I have to focus at least as much on myrelationships with the other players, especially the offensive starters, as I do on my individual abilities.
Of course, with my family in Alabama and no wife, kids, or girlfriend, I’m not sacrificing as much as some of the other guys. Even Landon is in a different place this year, trying to plan out his Sundays with Rori—the only day we’re truly allowed to step away.
Still, the energy is off the charts around the facility on day one. We had a stellar draft, building on all the young talent already floating around. This could truly be a breakthrough season.
Early in the morning session, I sit with the other quarterbacks in our designated position room and we chat about it all. My position is secured unless I’m injured, but the battle is on to figure out my backup. So right now we have four quarterbacks in camp besides myself. Two will get cut, most likely.
“I’m wondering if it’ll be Smolder or Walsh for the starting tight end,” says Tony, my backup last year.
“Walsh has that awesome RAC”—run after catch—“potential, but Smolder is a better blocker,” volunteers one of the other guys, a second-year quarterback with a ton of talent.
“Probably will be a situational choice,” I observe. My statement isn’t offering anything they don’t know, but I want them to feel like I’m down to participate in their debates. “Love having Smolder in there to block for me, though.”
They grunt in agreement—quarterbacks always welcome extra protection.
After the conversation breaks up, I head to the executive hallway. Our offensive coordinator, Marshall, wants to go over some changes to the schemes we ran on third downs last year. Small alterations to keep us from being predictable.
“Johnson.” It’s a woman’s voice I hear. Lara’s.
I turn around and her head is poking out of her office. “Come here fora second.”
I walk towards her office, not a clue what this is about. As she goes back inside and I walk in, it becomes clearer.
Sitting in her office is Grace. Looking like a total smoke show in a crisp turquoise suit, matching high heels, and her long blonde hair curled perfectly in beachy waves.
I’ve known Grace is beautiful, but I’ve never seen her look like…this. A woman ready to take over the world.
“It’s official.” Lara’s face is beaming. “Grace is coming on to help run the auction. Since the Waves foundation is technically who she’s working for, we’re about to go meet with Susie”—the executive director—“and get her set up with a temporary workspace for the next few weeks.”
I grin back, but all of my energy is directed at Grace.
“Welcome to the team, Little Battle.”
“Thanks Johnson. It wouldn’t have happened without you.”
Her tone is relaxed and sincere. It definitely feels like we’re near the milestone of being friends. At a minimum, that she’ll not go out of her way to avoid me. A good thing, since we’ll be working together on the gala.
How attracted I am to thisparticularcolleague—I don’t let myself dwell on.
Landon’s sister. Off-limits.
“I’ll let you get back to whatever brought you to the executive suites.” Lara’s hands wave me away. “Susie will send an email around to all the co-chairs with Grace’s contact information.”
Oh fuck.
