The roar of the stadium as I lead my boys out onto the turf soothes my aching soul. I glance over to the sidelines to see my dad standing with his hands over his chest and a broad smile on his face. He does his best at my home games not to interfere too much. Doesn’t mean he hasn’t gotten in my face screaming a line of profanity, helping me get in my zone.
It’s not needed today. I have way too much frustration to get out. My line protects me all day as we work the ball down the field. One more touchdown and I know I’ll be pulled from the game. We are crushing the other team, and my coaches won’t want me to get hurt, especially when it’s not a conference game.
I call a different play in the huddle.
“Fuck yes.” Jameson bobs his head up and down.
“Line, you hold fucking tight. I’m about to sink this game.”
We all clap and head to our spots. I ignore the coach barking in my ear. No doubt there will be consequences for this, but I want to play the way I want. Once my men sprint into action, I see Jameson down the field, wide open. I crank back my arm and aim. Once the ball leaves my hand, I catch a glimpse of a defender flying towards me. I’m able to get rid of the ball before he hits me.
I have no idea if I hit Jameson between the numbers until the crowd erupts in cheers. Adam helps me to my feet, shaking his head.
“You’re a dead man.” He slaps my back.
“In more than one way,” I mumble.
Adam was right. Not only are my coaches pissed and sit me the rest of the game, but Dad glares hard at me. He’s not impressed, but I don’t miss the mischievous smirk that peeks from the corner of his lips.
The second-string quarterback doesn’t score in the last quarter. Our defense holds strong. I find myself glancing around the stadium, taking in everything about game day. It’s a source of adrenaline I’ll never be able to explain, and I will, for sure, miss it. I’ll get my job done here, but there’s more for me in the future.
After I get my ass chewed six ways to Sunday, I hit the shower and climb back into the damn monkey suit, preparing myself for the media circus that will surely be ready for me. They love calling me the Miracle Kid. My childhood story has been exposed to the nation. I never fought it, but that doesn’t mean I love hearing it every time I lead my team to a victory.
“Saw Ally last night.” Adam slaps my back as I finish lacing up my dress shoes.
“Yeah?” I stand up, jerking my duffle over my shoulder.
“She was with Cline, leaving the gym after dark. Didn’t look good, brother.” Adam relaxes back on the lockers.
“She works there. I’m sure the puke was working out.”
“Before a game day?” Adam raises an eyebrow. “That’s against team rules.”
“He’s a puke with no respect. Wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that.” Adam turns and walks out, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Cline came into Michigan gunning for my position. He was notched down by the coaching staff and put on the kicking team. It only made the chip on his shoulder bigger. I’ve tried to like him. I’ve chalked it up to one of those people I’ll have to try to respect from a distance. He breaks all the rules and parties like he’s a damn rock star when he’s not even close. Booze, drugs, and sex are his priorities.
I bite down on my bottom lip, centering myself for the camera crew. Walking out, I get a glimpse of my family standing behind them. It powers me through mundane questions I answer after every game. Once they get their fill, they disperse onto the coaches.
“Bubba!” Jack races up to me, wrapping his arms around my legs. I bend down, peeling him off and hoisting him up to my chest.
Dad gives me a stern look then softens it with a smile. He nods and walks up to me, patting my shoulder. “You know your answer. Where your heart is. Chase your dreams, son.”
“Great game, Max.” Mom leans in for a kiss on the cheek.
Whit stays back, doing her best to be a pissed off pre-teen. That’s until I grab her and mess up her hair. She does her best to bat me away, but it’s useless.
“Hey.” We all glance up to see Ally jogging our way.
She looks like shit. If I hadn’t seen the drugs in her purse, my dumbass would’ve chalked it up to a lack of sleep. Adam’s words pierce my anger. I refuse to ruin a weekend with my family, so I tamp that shit down.
“Ally!” Whit squeals, racing over to her. Jack scrambles out of my arms. They love her. Thing is, they love the girl she used to be. Not this one standing in front of me that I no longer recognize.
Jack stumbles over his excitement until he gets his question out, patting her cheeks. “Where-where were you? You didn’t sit by us.”
Ally kisses his forehead. “I sat with some friends. I was a few rows behind you, squirt.”
Whit clutches Ally’s hand as the two drop into easy conversation. Mom hisses next to me.
“Bullshit. I was up and down those stairs a dozen times taking Jack to the bathroom. I’m not going to be able to handle this.”
“Don’t,” Dad warns. “Let’s enjoy the rest of the day before we fly home. This is Max’s story, not ours. He’ll handle it.”
And just like that, we all fall in unison, enjoying a day of greasy food, park time, and many laughs. I’m not shocked when Ally leaves early, claiming she has a shift at work.
“Another one?” I ask, grabbing her hand but keeping my distance.
“Yeah, but then I have three days off.” She reaches up on her tiptoes. I move so her lips land on my cheek. “What’s with you, Max?”
She jerks away her hand, and I step back. “Knocked over your purse this morning. Looks like another friend of yours has a drug problem, Ally. Oh, and Adam saw you and Cline together last night. You tell me what’s up, Ally.”
My words ring cold and calculated.
“You always believe your teammates over me,” she hisses back.
And like Ally has perfected, she turns to my family and says her goodbyes. The kids don’t pick up on the hostility underneath her shallow shell.
***
The night sky’s darkness matches my mood. With the family gone, I decide to drive by the gym. I’m not shocked when Ally’s car isn’t there. I notice it on the side street of her dorm. It’s parked in the shadow of the building, which I find odd. I kill my truck and walk a good block over to it.
Bass of a thumping song fills the air. The next thing I notice is the movement. I see red, not thinking any of my actions through. Before I know it, I’m ripping open the door to her car.
Neither Ally nor Cline notice me. He has her bent over, tugging her hair as he drives in and out of her. Bile rises up the back of my throat. The memories of my friends and family warning me about this strike me hard and fast. I’m a goddamn fool.
I slam the door shut with all my force. The glass of the window shatters. Ally screams, and Cline whips his head my direction.
“Max!”
I shake my head and walk away.
“Max! Come back here please,” Ally pleads.
I never once look back and don’t regret it, even though I could drop to my knees in heartache, rage, and pain.
Decision made.