Page 129 of Fumble Into the End Zone
“I hear congratulations are in order,” she said.
I smiled and bunched my shoulders. “Thank you,” I said.
She reached for my hand and viewed my ring. Serena shook her head with a satisfied grin. I scanned the area in search of Kindness and didn’t find her or Stacie.
“Bathroom run. She should be on her way down,” Mrs. Jordan said.
The Jordans rented transportation to get everyone from the family hotel to the stadium. Turning, I watched Kindness and Shaunie exit the elevator, talking as they moved toward the crowd. I squinted my eyes in her direction, but she smiled back. Shaunie, Vick and Bryce’s triangle had been the top story of the sports year until two weeks ago. Kindness finally stopped in front of me. “Hello, ladies,” she said.
“Hi, Auntie Kindness. My daddy told me that’s your official name,” Harley said as she stood next to me.
Kindness’s lip protruded and her eyes glossed over. I knew she was getting ready to cry.
Marcus
I stood in the tunnel, reciting the message Mia sent me. She knew I needed the affirmations. It’s something about her sayingI’m himthat pumped me up. All week, announcers had doubted my ability to get open. I’m not going to lie, my confidence tooka hit. A championship and money both hung on this game. I pushed away the negative noise and readied myself for the battle. Bryce exposed the game plan to shift me to the right, and to feed Vick in the beginning.
Pop! Pop!
The cannons went off, and smoke filled the air. My ears burned from the noise of the crowd; viewing the stadium, our fans showed up for us and now it was our turn to bring home the Elite Bowl. As Jhae’s fine ass sang, I focused my thoughts on football. Mia, Harley and Granny were safe in the suites, allowing my fears of them being in danger to dissipate. We discussed Mia staying in the suites after the game and I would find her to celebrate. I couldn’t have anybody putting her or the babies in harm’s way.
“Armadillos won the coin toss,” the referee said and we all exhaled hard.
By the fourth quarter, Bryce had already thrown a pick six and I could tell he was rattled. We had to score in order to bring the Elite Bowl home.
“You ain’t shit today,” Todd said, and I brushed him off by repeating Mia’s words
“Hike,” I ran straight at him and then slanted to see Bryce hitting the ground.
When he didn’t get up, the stadium noise died down as he laid on the grass. My heart raced with fear and uncertainty until I heard the whistle and saw Bryce stand.
“Late hit on the quarterback by the defense. Fifteen-yard penalty, automatic first down,” the referee called.
When Bryce stood, I let out a sharp breath but I knew what needed to be done. Todd had a weakness, and it was time for me to exploit it, regardless of the double team. As we gathered in the huddle, I became him.
“Throw me the ball. Go inside the numbers. He can’t do hard stops,” I said, and my teammates glared at me.
I never requested the ball in the huddle, but I knew this was on me. Everything had to go right, including the o-line giving Bryce time, keeping the coverage, and me forcing Todd into making a mistake.
We dispersed and moved to New York’s forty-yard line. With the crowd being alive again, no one could hear me call the play, but it didn’t matter. The audible was going to be a dummy play.
Bryce gave me the nod and my mind went back to the battle with Hill. Todd had morphed into him, and I needed one play. He was standing in the way of my Mia’s dream wedding.
“Palm Trees. Palm Trees. Hike.”
I hopped and slanted inside for a few yards and stopped, and Todd hit the ground. I re-adjusted my route to the outside at the right time before Bryce let the ball rip. Tracking the ball, I had the mindset to run over anyone in my way. The ball landed in my hand, and I turned on the jets into the end zone.
The crowd exploded with cheers while the entire offense ran in my direction. Collectively, we performed the body roll along with a few fans. Chills covered my body with excitement as I pointed at the camera and said, “I am him.”
Coach Owens threw up the two fingers, wanting the two point conversion. Bryce went no-huddle because the blitz was coming. The offensive line showed up yet again and Bryce walked into the end zone untouched. He bowed to the crowd as the stadium was at max noise level.
He found me afterward, connecting our helmets. “This is just the beginning of our Brotherhood and championships,” he said, and I believed him.
Connecting with Bryce had been a blessing I couldn’t explain but I’m grateful.
A week later
“Granny, are you sure you don’t want to go to the parade? You can ride inside the bus behind the players,” I said.
