Three games. Three wins.
The crowd cheered and roared as the seconds ticked off the clock. My offensive line managed to keep Davis from getting his ass knocked to the ground. I was sure he’d be eating grass all night long. The execution on the defense was flawless and we walked away with a forty point victory. More and more, our players looked like a unit—a team. A championship team, but one game at a time. I knew from past experience not to get ahead of myself.
“Fifty-six to sixteen, not bad Coach, not bad at all.” Principal Allen bumped my shoulder.
“Thank you,” I said, before heading across the field.
Players from the Panther’s team ran up to me, greeting me and telling me that I was their favorite NFL player.
“Good luck with the rest of your season,” I said, as I shook hands with the head coach.
“Thank you, sir, damn fine game.”
When I entered the locker room, the celebratory sounds were deafening. I loved that sound. Playing a division rival and winning on our home field was inspired. There was still a lot of football left to play, but we were off to a very good start.
I stood in the middle of the locker room, and Brad handed me the game ball. “Guys, I’m real proud of you. You all looked sharp out there tonight. You’re thinking like champions.”
Cheers and clapping erupted around the room.
“This feeling that you have right now—remember it and stay hungry. Want more. Give more. There’s a lot of season left, but tonight, go have some fun. You earned it. I’ll see you guys in the morning at the pool.”
The players pounded on their lockers chanting, “Lion pride! Lion pride!”
I lifted the game ball into the air, quieting the roars and cheers. “Game ball goes to the offensive line—so you decide who gets to take it home.”
I tossed the ball to Scott Miller before walking out of the locker room. Cheers and murmurs of agreement filtered around the room.
I walked out of the room with a smile on my face and headed to my office. Earlier at the game, I caught myself searching the bleachers for Hannah. I found that I was doing that for every game. Tonight, she wore a blue and white Lions t-shirt with her hair pulled into a ponytail. She sat in the same spot right under the letter “N” that was painted on the press box. I’d like to think she did that so that I’d know where to find her.
Sitting at my desk, I studied the playbook, drafting a few notes on route adjustments. Monday was a teacher in-service day, no classes for students, which meant one less practice for the week.
“Here’s the game tape, Coach,” Brad said, tossing it onto my desk.
“Great, I’ll be taking this home to study what worked and where we need improvement.”
“Locker room is almost clear. Have a good weekend.”
I lifted my chin. “You too, and tell Lainey I said hello.”
“Hi, Coach Maxwell, can I talk to Coach Hamilton,” Luke said from the hallway.
“Sure thing, son, we’re all finished here.”
Luke walked into my office taking a seat across from me. “Listen, Coach, I’m not gonna be at practice tomorrow because I’m going up to my grandparent’s house in Big Sky.”
I leaned forward resting my arms on my desk. “Thanks for letting me know, Luke. Enjoy your weekend.”
“You do the same, Coach.”
After the morning session in the pool, I headed straight for Mel’s Diner. When I pulled my car into the last open spot in front, I saw Hannah balancing three plates and smiling as she moved through the dining room.
It felt like a lifetime ago that she stood on my field and handed my ass to me. I was attracted to her from the moment she left that field.
“Hey, Coach Hamilton,” the hostess called out over the ringing bells.
“Hi,” I said, glancing at the server’s seating chart. “I’d like a table by the window.”
“Sure thing, follow me.”
The diner was barely packed for a Saturday morning. A few locals sat at the bar and a group of cattle ranchers took up a large table for twelve in the main dining room.
I eased into the booth. “Excuse me, Miss, can I borrow a pen?” I asked the hostess.
“Yep, gimme a second, Coach.”
I took a napkin from the dispenser on the table and wrote a very direct message—For a good time, call Miles Bell.
Hannah approached the booth. “Hi there, Coach,” she said. “What can I get you?”
I slid the napkin in her direction. “Can I get two pieces of apple pie to go?”
Hannah lifted the napkin and the corners of her mouth turned up giving me the slightest smile. “I’ll be right back with those pies.”
I watched her walk away and through the back into the narrow hallway. There was no denying that there was something between the two of us.
And for the longest time I never dreamed that I could find someone who would spark this kind of fire inside of me. I was ready to live the rest of my life never caring about another person. But, now with Hannah, I’m seeing things a bit differently.