Page 125 of Fumble Into the End Zone
I shrugged because he could have been a coach, and it wouldn’t change my position.
“Marcus, this is serious. How do you play on a team, and no one knows anything about you?”
“We’re coworkers. He doesn’t need to know about my personal life.”
Mia folded her arms across her chest with flared nostrils. “Marcus, you are deliberately withholding yourself from your teammate because you don’t trust them. What makes Bryce trustworthy?”
I knew shrugging wasn’t going to get Mia to drop this subject.
“Bryce is the quarterback. The offense runs through him. We need each other. We didn’t set out to be friends, but we had an understanding. Over time, we developed a brotherhood,” I said as I caressed her thighs.
He was an only child and a loner. People assumed he was an extrovert because of his position. Life made me a loner and an observer for survival. Bryce and I could be in a room together for twenty minutes and not say a word to each other. He was the easiest to watch film with because he didn’t ask questions. Afterward, we passed notes in a few sentences and parted ways. But we understood each other.
Mia paused my hands, giving me flat lips. “Talk to your teammates. Once the new house is finished, we’re throwing a housewarming party. Not everyone is out to get you Marcus. You could be missing out on a great friend. I bet you know everything about them but they don’t know anything about you,” she said.
Mia would be right. I observed everything about my teammates. The conversations they had around me were insane. I knew about most people’s side chicks, weekend plans, moneyproblems, and addictions. It wasn’t my business, and I had no intentions of telling.
“I know a few things, none I care to tell,” I said.
“Once our house is finished, we will be throwinga get to knowMarcus party,” she said.
I shrugged, and she squinted. With Mia being pregnant, I didn’t want to upset her, but we’re not throwing a party. She will be too busy with the kids and her podcast. My teammates will never get the invite. The first mistake people make with employment was trying to be friends. We are colleagues, nothing more. There was no way I was trusting them around my woman and children.
“Let’s discuss the Elite Bowl and why I think it’s safer if you stay in Houston,” I said.
“Marcus, we are going to the Elite Bowl. And we includes the entire family. Daddy gave me a media pass. Your tickets can go to Harley, Mrs. Eddy, and Ms. Renee,” she said, and I smiled.
“Dammmittttt! We’re going to the Elite Bowl,” Coach Owens said.
He tossed the thousand dollars on the table because he had all intentions of cursing. Hard cackles echoed through the team meeting room.
“This is our prep week. I expect everybody in the film room. Vick, Marcus, those corners of Todd and Urban are nothing to joke about. Ed, keep your talking ass off the internet and do something about those socks. We need to give them no ammo. Every player will receive four Elite Bowl tickets. If you need more, it’s coming out of your pocket. Tell your families now youwill have little time for them. I need you focused. Do I make myself clear?” Coach said.
The room nodded in recognition. We knew this was going to be a task. For several of the players, this may be their last opportunity to get to the big game. They had more years behind them than in front. The thing about football is you could retire at thirty and without a plan, you could be broke at thirty-five. Our bodies take a beating harder than any professional sport. To have an Elite Bowl guarantees you entry into the Hall of Fame. When my phone vibrated, I pulled it out of my pocket.
Unknown Number
We would love to see you play in the Elite Bowl.
Unknown Number
Your brothers are telling their friends about you. Tickets?
My mother won’t give up. I shook my head and tucked my phone back into my pocket. Bryce peered over at me, and I gave him the look. He knew about my mother, but never commented on the matter. The second time the phone vibrated, I pulled it out and smiled at the name.
Mia
Talk to your teammates.
Me
I talked to Bryce this morning.
Mia
Bryce doesn’t count.
“All right, let’s split into offense and defense. Defense, in the other room. Offense, stay put,” Coach Owens said.
