Page 21 of Fumble Into the End Zone
Bryce iced Vick the entire game, leaving me and the tight end to shoulder the work. I secured three touchdowns before the game was over.
“Good game, Marcus,” several of my teammates expressed after we entered the locker room.
Vick, on the other hand, wasn’t happy with my performance. During half time, he banged his helmet on his locker because Bryce wasn’t throwing him the ball and gas lit the team into believing Vick couldn’t get open. I chuckled because there wasn’t much I could do about it.
After exiting the shower, I hurried to my station and changed into my clothes. The locker room chatter was loud as teammates exposed their plans, including cheating on their partners. With my back turned, I found myself boxed in by Vick and Stedman hovering.
“Don’t let Bryce get you caught up in some bullshit. I’m the wide receiver one and the captain. The offense comes through me,” Vick said, patting his chest.
I turned to examine both men before I smirked and Stedman grabbed my arm.
“He’s talking to you, rookie. Speaking of which, where the fuck were you last week? I don’t recall you treating us veterans to our dinner,” he said.
I learned in passing about the rookies being stuck with a $75,000 bill from the veterans. Hazing worked on those who needed acceptance, but I didn’t give a fuck about crowds. Losing two parents distorted my view of being recruited into groups.People had to earn my trust, and no one in this locker room had done anything for me outside of Bryce.
My eyes traveled down to Stedman’s large hands and back to his eyes.
“Get your fucking hands off me,” I demanded and snatched myself free.
“This one got heart,” Stedman said, stepping forward and enclosing our space. “What you gon’ do to me?” he asked.
I smirked as I suppressed the angry ten-year-old in me who lived for a fight.
“Like I thought, not a damn thing. You better get Bryce on board, rookie,” Stedman said.
Being a single father meant I had to move differently to make a point. Bryce taught me a few things, including how to destroy a man without using physical force. Hitting Stedman with my helmet would be too easy and cost me my career, but ending his happiness was more appeasing. I saw him kissing someone other than his wife last week. Now I have to monitor the situation and may have to report my findings.
“Fellas, is there a problem?” Coach Owens voiced.
“Naw, coach, just having a talk with the rookie,” Stedman said, and they both stepped back.
Coach Owens turned his attention to me, and I answered with a head nod.
“Get y’all overgrown asses back to your lockers,” Coach said.
Both Vick and Stedman stepped away as Bryce entered the locker room from his press conference. He gave me a nod, and I shook my head to downplay it. Instead of seeing happiness in Bryce’s eyes, his expression gave me concern.
Before heading home, I stopped by the fixer-upper and pulled into the driveway. Opening my car door, I walked toward the front door but paused as my phone vibrated.
Unknown Number
Good game. Your father used to do silly dances.
I gripped the phone tight as my mind traveled back to the day before my first pop warner game.
“Dad, what kind of dance is this?” I asked my father.
He playfully pushed my shoulder and then returned to moving one of his legs in and out. I bunched my nose as I watched. We both laughed.
“Are you going to be there tomorrow?” I asked.
He rubbed the top of my head. “You know it or I’m going to die trying,” he said.
The sounds of dogs barking pulled me back into the present. I unlocked the door I planned to replace and stepped into the living room. The tools I dropped off a few days ago surrounded me. I picked up the crowbar and lunged it into the living room wall repeatedly. The wall inhaled my rage, the hole growing larger with every impact.
Chapter 6
Yes! to the Bye Week
