Page 75 of First Down Promise

“God, no. That’s actually the easiest way to get on his nerves.”

Sadie giggles a little. “Good to know.” Her eyes drift to the screen. “God, he’s such a big dude,” she mumbles.

I shift my attention to the large screen again, where it’s Dane’s turn. “Dane Fredrickson. USC.”

“He is,” I agree.

Josh is similar in build, just not as bulked up as Dane since he needs to stay fast on the field. He has a quarterback build, too, and sometimes I wonder what would have happened if he were the starting QB for the Stallions. Pete could have been drafted elsewhere, and I never would have met Josh. That thought makes my stomach drop.

The Stallions get the ball first, and I watch as the ones line up with the rest of the offensive line. But my eye lingers on eighty-one. He looks good in their black and gold uniforms, but I actually love the white uniform on him. The tights especially look crisp and show off his powerful, long legs.

“Pete looks good out there,” Sadie says to make conversation as Coop hikes the ball to Pete for the first time.

“Oh, yeah,” I reply as if I wasn’t staring at Josh the whole time.

When they start moving on the field, I fixate on Dane blocking one of Dallas’ defenders and Josh running past him. Pete throws the ball, and a Stallions wide receiver catches it. Josh usually makes catches when they are closer to the end zone or in a pinch. When they’re so far from the end zone, he typically blocks the other team’s defenders, so this is a little different for them. They could be trying a new strategy to throw Dallas off a bit.

By halftime, Dallas and Nashville are tied after staying neck and neck most of the first half, but anything can change in the last two quarters, especially the fourth. During halftime, Sadie and I take restroom breaks and grab a giant pretzel to split.

Josh: I hate playing here.

Sadie’s checking her notifications while we wait for the third quarter to start, so I hit reply while she’s distracted.

Me: You guys are doing great! Just be careful out there.

Josh: It’s really weighing on me that I wouldn’t be facing these huge defenders if I played for Dallas instead.

I snort and shake my head at my phone.

Me: But Dallas has been getting the villain edit all season. You’re too good for that.

Josh: Pete’s going to give me the villain edit when he finds out.

Me: His life’s been boring lately, right? He-he.

Josh: Glad you’re willing to sacrifice me for his entertainment.

Me: I’ll make it up to you like what we did in the parking lot after practice last week.

A grin pulls at my lips as I hit send.

Josh: Just mentally crossed myself.

By the time the fourth quarter starts, neither team has managed to pull ahead. “It’s going to be close,” Sadie says.

“They’ve got this,” I reply.

But with less than fifteen minutes left, it’s tight. The Stallions start with the ball again, move it far down the field, and set up for the first down. If they can get the first down, they should be able to score.

“First and ten,” the overhead speakers announce.

I know in my gut that Pete will throw to Josh. They set, Coop sends the ball to Pete, and as expected, Pete is looking for his guys. I shift my focus to the receivers and find Josh just as a defender barrels toward him. Josh takes the defender’s shoulder to the chest, almost spins in the air, and lands hard on his back. Every fiber of my being sinks as I shoot to my feet. Josh lies flat on the field, and I cover my mouth with both hands.

“Oh my gosh,” Sadie mumbles.

“Number eighty-one is down,” the announcer says as everything pauses.

The broadcast on the giant screen zooms in as Dane holds out a hand and helps Josh get to his feet. Josh presses a hand to his lower back and heads for the sideline, where he’s pulled into the medical tent. The backup tight end takes his place for the next play, and they line up again as if nothing happened. Not being able to see Josh only makes it harder to focus on the game.