Then I come to my senses. Coach would never be this chill about his daughter getting engaged.
Who did Ezra propose to? He’s been sleeping his way through sorority row all year. Unless he knocked up one of those girls.
Like he knocked up Roxy.
My nostrils flare when I remember all the shit she’s dealing with. This fucking guy.
Ezra has a tight crew of friends who cover for him, half of whom are on the team. It’s an even split of those of us who hate him and those who lick his hairy ass. Some guys want to win no matter the cost.
It’s no secret that Ezra and I don’t gel. That’s why I got booted off offense. Because there was no way Coach was gonna oust his golden boy from QB, which meant I went from wide receiver to defensive back. Realistically, that marked the end of any hope I had to return to the quarterback position.
Coach heads to the podium and taps on the mic. Everyone quiets down. He leans forward and asks, “Am I looking at the national champs?”
The guys clap and yell, and I get up and bark like the idiot I am. My teammates and I high-five each other because we put our whole hearts and souls into last season.
Once we settle down, Coach gets down to business. “For those of you declaring for the draft in the spring, I want you tomeet with me after this so we can discuss your combine training plan.” The combine is a four-day event thrown by the NFL where prospects run drills for scouts and bragging rights. Having a great performance is key to going pro.
Some of the guys slap Ezra on the back because he’s going to declare for the draft as a junior.
I’m not bitter.
Who the fuck am I kidding? Of course I’m bitter. This dick got my spot with his slick words and bullshit.
And fine, he’s a damn good quarterback. Probably better than me, but since I never really got a shot, it bugs me not knowing if I could’ve hacked it.
Coach hands some papers to his assistants. “The rest of you will get a calendar for the week. I hope you got the parties out of your system, gentlemen, because doing well this semester is imperative. You all had light semesters in the fall to accommodate our season, but now you’ll need to focus on the more challenging classes. Don’t underestimate the work required to do well in those courses.”
I’m yawning when Coach shoots me a dirty look. Damn, now he thinks I’m commenting on what he’s saying when I’m just tired. My grandmother wasn’t feeling well this weekend, so I bunked at her place and fixed all the shit that had broken in her house over the last few months.
He continues. “The offseason is not the time to rest on our laurels. Now is the time to defend the title.Nowis the time to go even harder than we did last fall.Nowis the time to envision the season you want to have next year. Every college team in the country will be gunning for our spot come September, but I have a dream. It’s called domination.”
We all howl in approval, and Coach smiles. “I want to do what very few other teams have accomplished—back-to-back titles. In recent years, Alabama did it. So did Georgia andNebraska. I say this year is our turn.” He pauses while everyone claps and stomps in approval. “But the media will tell you that our day in the sun is over. That our season was a fluke. That we’re a flash in the pan. That we’re losing players to graduation and the best quarterback in college football to the draft and won’t have what it takes to repeat.”
Coach leans over the podium. “But I have a plan. You haven’t heard the news yet, but we managed to snag two excellent quarterbacks next year thanks to the transfer portal.” He probably never considered that I’d love to try out for the position. “And I’m also happy to say that my son Deacon Santos will be joining us as well.”
That’s a surprise. The kid is a star wide receiver at Notre Dame. Weird that Roxy didn’t mention it.
After our meeting, we have a light workout. I’m toweling off when my phone dings in my locker. It’s Roxy.
My heart speeds up for some reason.
Sorry I’m just now getting back to you! I had a lot to process. Want to come over, and we can grab dinner? I need someone to vent to.
I smile, my chest swelling with a weird kind of pride because she wants me to come over instead of one of her other friends.
Be there in twenty.
6
ROXY
That devil smilesback at me on the TV, and I curse. Why is this man always on ESPN?
“Ezra, how did it feel to cap off your junior year with the biggest game of your college career?”
Ezra gives the reporter hisoh, gosh, are you talking about me?expression that makes me want to punch him in the face. “I’m just so honored to have played a role in our victory. Coach always tells us to put our best foot forward and envision the possibilities…”
Gag.
