The stands look nearly empty, but it’s still the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of. I mean, Great Falls High plays in a stadium that seats eight thousand . . . and State U’s stadium seats over fifty thousand. Tough for our little town to fill that many seats, even if everyone and their long-lost cousins attended.

I’m not worried about most of the fifteen thousand people in attendance. I’m worried about the Barton defense, which has been giving me hell this second half with their whip-fast adjustments. Their head coach was a pro in his younger days, and his defense plays like he’s drilled their playbooks into their heads.

We line up, and I take the snap, dropping back five steps just like I’m supposed to. I’ve grown another inch over the past year, and I can see over the defensive line, easily seeing Brett already with two steps on his guy. I let it go and watch as Brett takes it in stride, running as fast as he can . . . Touchdown!

I do a little dance as I run up the field to congratulate Brett, banging helmets with him. “Fuck, yeah!” Brett screams as the crowd cheers. “Title’s ours!”

His prediction proves right as the final seconds tick off the clock and we win the 2A State Championship for the first time in our school’s history. Dozens of fans crowd around me, pounding me on the back as they yell their congratulations.

“Good game, O’Day!” says one while I bro-hug with Roger Illium, the linebacker who’s led the defense all year. He’s got the MVP ball, and he earned it with two sacks and an interception that was a key turning point in our favor.

“Yeah,” Roger adds. “Glad you finally pulled up and I could stop carrying you. My back was starting to hurt.”

“Fuck you,” I laugh back, but Coach Orton runs up as we laugh, maybe more excited than any of his players. Then again, he’s been coaching high school ball for twenty-five years and this is his first state title. “Boys, you both worked your asses off today and earned this win.” He smiles wide, a little lost in the moment, just soaking it all in, but then he seems to remember he had a mission. “Oh, Roger . . . there’s a man from the paper wanting an interview with you. And Aubrey, I need to talk to you for a moment alone.”

I scan the crowd, wishing I could find Ana, but it’s a madhouse around us on the field. Where is she? The disadvantage of falling in love with a short girl, I guess. That’s okay. If I don’t see her, I know she’ll be waiting with my folks right outside the locker room like we arranged.

I’ve been with Coach a long time, and this is the cherry on the top of our years of work, so I take the moment he asks for. “Sure, Coach.”

Coach leads me toward the goalposts, where the crowd’s thin. “You played a hell of a game, Aubrey. Best I’ve seen since my son was going here.”

That’s a compliment. Tim Orton tore it up in his college days right here on the State U field until he had a career-ending knee injury. “Thanks, Coach, but it was everyone. I mean, Brett played amazing.”

Coach smiles at my textbook answer, focusing on the team, highlighting teammates. He’s taught me well. It’s never a one-man show on the field. “I’ve got some good news for you, Son. There were some recruiters here. You’re going to have some offers coming your way.”

“Really?” I ask, grinning. “Where? Please say Oregon.”

I’ve let it sort of become known that I want to go to Oregon, not because I particularly like ducks or green and yellow . . . but because Ana and I figured out it had the best mix of football opportunities for me and social work programs for her. She says she likes the trees, and that’s good enough for me.

Coach nods, holding up a letter with a big ‘O’ in the corner, and I gawk. “Are you fucking serious?”

Coach chuckles. “I think I’ll let that slip . . . this time, boy. Go on, get changed. And Aubrey, that won’t be the only one. Mark my words, you’re going to get to choose where you go to school.”

That’s cool, but I already know where I want to go. I can’t fucking believe it, and I feel like I’m floating as I get changed. Leaving the locker room, my family and Ana are waiting for me.

Ana runs into my arms, throwing hers around my neck. “Congratulations, champ!”

Everything else fades away as I exchange kisses with Ana, holding her tightly. We’re totally in love, and it’s like I have everything I could want in life.

“It’s all because of you, babe” I reply, setting her down. “My Sweet Ana, my strength.”

“Nah, it’s not me, it’s those wide shoulders you’ve suddenly sprouted,” Ana teases, smiling up at me. “You’d better slow down, by the way. I thought you were supposed to stop growing at seventeen?”

I chuckle, leaning over to plant my chin on top of her head. It’s true. I know I tower over her and often have to bend down to kiss her . . . but we don’t mind.

My dad clears his throat, and I wince a bit, so excited at celebrating with Ana that I almost forgot to include my mom and dad. I offer my dad a handshake and he takes it, pumping my arm hard before pulling me to him in a hug with a fierce pat on my back. “Great job, Son! I’m so proud of you!”

My mom’s reaction is more hysterical as she reaches up, forcing me to bend down to hug her. She’s blubbering, repeating, “My baby . . .” over and over. I cringe, even though I’m secretly pleased to have made them so proud.

“Ah, well . . . hey, I got some more good news too,” I tease them all.

“What?” Ana asks, hopping up and down as I drive her nuts with my hemming and hawing, letting the pause lengthen dramatically. “I swear, Aubrey, if you don’t tell me . . .”

“Okay, well . . . here.”

All I have to do is flash the envelope’s logo, and Ana squeals, jumping up and down in excitement as she snatches it out of my hand to read the details. My parents move in for another hug, congratulating me. I know it’s a weight off their shoulders, a relief that they’re not going to have to finance four years of college for me, but more importantly, they’re genuinely happy to see my dreams come true.

“I’m so happy for you, babe,” Ana says as I lift her up again, kissing her as the happiness of the moment washes over us.

My parents beam at us, and I love that they approve of my relationship with Ana. It’d be hard not to. She’s the epitome of what every parent wants their child to end up with . . . sweet, caring, kind, strong, and with just enough sass to keep me in line. They’ve gotten to know her bit by bit over the last year, and I think she’s finally comfortable around them too, forgetting her nerves and just being her adorable self more and more.

“We’re gonna go, let you celebrate with your friends for a bit,” my dad says, pulling my mom away gently.

“But don’t be too late getting home. You’re still my baby!” she reminds me, and I laugh, far too excited to care that she’s calling me a baby when I tower over her and am off to college next year.

Ana and I join the crowd of folks in the parking lot, meeting up with what basically constitutes our entire senior class. Single-file, we caravan away from the stadium and head back to Great Falls, ready to celebrate our win. I feel like I’m celebrating even more though . . . my future with Ana.

The next morning is rough, the adrenaline and excitement taking it out of me almost as much as the game itself. Not to mention the late-night celebration.

But Mom perseveres, opening the curtains and letting the midday sunshine into my room. “Aubrey . . . rise and shine, porcupine. Get up. We’re calling Gabe in a few minutes.”

That’s enough to get me going again. I miss my brother. He’s been overseas in the military for a few years now, just coming home for short leaves, and getting to talk to him face-to-face is rare, even if it is digital. Usually, we resort to emails and phone calls, even letters.

Assured that I’m awake, my mom flits out to answer the ringing doorbell, and I hop up, pulling on sweatpants and running my fingers through my hair. Not that Gabe cares one iota if I look like shit, but he’ll definitely comment and tease me about it.

Heading out to the living room, I see Angie, Gabe’s long-time girlfriend. They’ve been through some rough times but seem steady now, and she’s standing by him through these long deployments, so she’s good in my book, even if we don’t see her much since she lives a few towns over. I give her a hug, teasing, “You ready for this?” She looks nervous and I’m not sure why.

It takes us about twenty minutes to get Gabe on the screen. Running the system where he’s deployed takes time. When he comes on, we all crowd around the screen, Mom and Angie sitting at the table with Dad and me standing behind them, everyone waving and greeting him at the same time.

“Man, you better have good news for me.” Seeing Gabe and hearing his voice tightens the knot in my gut. I know I’m just the brother, not the parent or spouse, but man, I miss my partner in crime. Having this connection with him, even for a moment shared with others, is special.

I grin at Gabe. He used to be taller than me, and wider in the shoulders, but since my last growth spurt, I bet we’re pretty spot-on. I’ve looked up to him since I was little and can honestly say my big brother is my role model. “Well, nice to see your scraggly ass too, Gabe. Haven’t they taught you to shave in the Army?”

Gabe rubs his chin, laughing. “What can I say? This ain’t Stateside. So how was the game?”

“Oh, that . . .” I reply before grinning and launching into the details. I have to keep it short. Gabe’s only got twenty minutes, and I don’t want to hog the time for myself when my parents and Angie have stuff they want to tell him too. “And also, I got this,” I say, holding up the offer envelope. “Your little brother might be throwing balls around Oregon next year!”

Gabe whistles, grinning. “Fuck yeah, Aubrey! Way to go, man!”

“Thanks, bro! How’re things for you?”

The light in Gabe’s eyes dims a little, and it pains me. We haven’t talked much over the past few months, but he’s sent me emails telling me how hard it is. I wonder how much he shares with me versus what he shares with Mom and Dad, or Angie.

But Gabe’s always one to do his duty. “I’d be lying to you if I said things were great,” he says, scratching at his cheek. “The stuff I’ve seen lately . . . you don’t wanna know. I just can’t wait till I get out of this shithole.”

None of us quite know what to say, and Gabe shrugs. “I’ll get over it. Just need to through for a bit longer and then I’m done. My enlistment will be up and I’ll be home for good.”

The words seem directed to Angie more than the rest of us, and she takes over the conversation.

“Hey, honey. I miss you!” We all try to give them the semblance of privacy even though we’re sitting right here, listening to every word. I notice Angie is fidgeting with her fingers a bit, and again, I’m struck by the thought that she seems nervous for some reason.

“Hey, Gabe, remember your last visit Stateside?”

Gabe grins wolfishly, enough that my mom clears her throat in warning. “Yeah, of course. Thanks again for coming up to Virginia to see me.” Gabe had been on US soil for less than forty-eight hours and was granted a four-hour leave pass. With school, I wasn’t able to go, and my parents were hesitant to leave me alone, so Angie had gone out by herself. I think it was a good thing for them, solidified them a bit.

“Well, it was a rather, uhm, productive visit. You’re going to be a father.”

There’s silence on the other end of the line, then Gabe jumps up, punching the air and cheering. We follow his lead, cheering right along with them as my mom hugs Angie tight, promising to help with whatever she needs.

The next few minutes are crazy, and by the end of Gabe’s time, everyone’s pretty emotional. Even Gabe looks like he’s crying. “Congrats, man,” I tell him when I can get a word in. “I’m honored to be an uncle . . . and don’t you worry, I’ll make sure Angie’s taken care of while you’re over there. I’ll drive her to doctor’s appointments if I have to or do midnight runs for ice cream. I’ll do you right, take care of your girl the way you would.”

“Thanks, man,” Gabe replies. “I love you guys!” We all tell him the same, begging him to be careful, as if that’s his choice, and say our goodbyes.

After we hang up, we all hug Angie and Mom agrees to drive her home while I go grab a shower.