I’m standing on the sideline, trying not to lose my mind. I’m so into the game, I almost drop my mic.
I had tickets to this game, but Douggie got mono and couldn’t cover it at the last minute, so my professor asked me to do it. No one had to twist my arm, obviously. Given how popular the team is, I never thought I’d get a chance to cover them. Today really is a dream come true.
Professor Fowler said I could cover it as long as I disclosed that Coach is my father and explain to viewers how I’m providing a unique perspective. I recorded that as soon as we gothere today and did a whole behind-the-scenes segment in the locker room before the game started.
The cool thing about football is I get a cameraman and don’t have to shoot everything myself. Tater, who got his nickname because he’s always snarfing down Tater Tots in class, is huge, which means his footage won’t get obstructed.
“Maybe edit out all of my screaming,” I tell him, and he chuckles.
I know I’m supposed to be unbiased, but this ismyteam. That’s my boyfriend on the sidelines, having the game of his life. That’s my dad talking wildly into his headset, and my brother huddled up next to the QB, hopefully ready to score.
Turning to the stands, I wave at Billy’s mom, who’s sitting in the first row with one of her friends.
After Mrs. Babcock found out what Billy’s dad had said to me and that disgusting way he tried to pay me off, she was so upset, she left him. Apparently, he’s been sleeping around behind her back for years, but this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. She made a point to meet me for dinner and told me she’d never seen her son so happy and that we had her support. It meant more to me than she’ll ever know.
Billy says he’s relieved his parents are divorcing because his father treated his mom like crap, and our situation only proved to him that his sperm donor isn’t someone he wants in his life.
All of this only makes me that much more determined to make him feel welcomed by my family. Given how he, my dad, and brother spent last Sunday planning a fishing trip in the spring, I think they’re on the right track.
When I turn back to the field, my attention snags on Ezra, who’s sitting on the sideline looking grim. He’s been benched for the last few games. My father swears that decision had nothing to do with me and everything to do with Ezra’s lackluster performances since he injured his shoulder. Since ESPN agreedgiving Nick Silva a shot at QB1 was the right thing to do, who am I to question it?
Seeing the devastated expression on Ezra’s face, I almost feel bad for him.
Almost.
Abigail says she was hoping he’d get a permanent case of erectile dysfunction, but this is even better. She swears this is the universe’s way of paying him back for being such a douche. I can’t say I disagree. His decision to hook up against an open window with some random girl, only hours after Abigail dumped him, likely cost him his dream of being drafted and a shot at the NFL.
As for Abigail, she and I have decided that our friendship is the silver lining in this whole screwed-up situation. Ezra did us both dirty, but she and I are grateful to have found each other.
Tater elbows me. “Think Silva has another touchdown in him?”
I hold up my hand and cross my fingers. Silva is a solid quarterback, but the rest of the team has really leveled up, which has kept us undefeated thus far. But this game has been fierce.
The Longhorns are our biggest rivals since they’re our nearest neighbor, and the toughest competition in our conference this season. They’re undefeated too.
Billy has had a great game, but I know that doesn’t matter to him if the team doesn’t get the win.
The Broncos have possession at the forty-five-yard line.
“Why is Babcock heading out there?” Tater yells.
My eyes widen. Sure enough, there’s Billy, the team’sdefensivesafety, joining Nick in the huddle.
Billy told me he’s practiced a few trick plays on offense, but my dad isn’t a fan of those because it’s too easy to miscommunicate in high-pressure situations. So I never thought they’d actually try to execute one.
And yet there’s Billy, getting in formation at the line of scrimmage.
With the offense.
I’m so anxious, my stomach does a flip-flop.Don’t throw up, Roxy!
“Maybe he’ll block for Nick or get a lateral pass,” I say to myself as I bite my nail. “My dad knows Billy’s toughandfast and could run in the ball.”
That’s not what happens.
Nick gets the snap and looks downfield as he charges toward the sideline to hand it to my brother. They’re still behind the line of scrimmage, and I expect Deke to run.
Instead, he heads back toward the other side, where he hands it off to Billy in a classic double reverse.
