Page 72 of The Way We Collide

“Is that one step above Fail? TheD-Line?”

Hendrix laughs. “He’s on thedefensiveline. I’m on offense, so we don’t really practice together.”

“You’ll have to give me a crash course in football before Sunday, or I’m going to be so lost.”

“So instead of a movie night, we’ll have a football night? I can go for that.”

“Maybe we can watchFriday Night Lights? It’s the movie that led to that TV show, remember?”

“High school ball is nothing like professional ball,” he scoffs.

“Isn’t that what your brother Jack does now? Dylan said he’s the head coach?”

“At our old high school.” He looks out the window as if he’s annoyed.

I’m not sure what that’s about, so I don’t push it. “Well, I think it sounds fun. I might not know what’s happening on the field, but I’ll keep my eyes on Number 85.”

His mood shifts at once. “It’s really pretty simple. The only complicated part is the penalties and the plays, but you’ll pick those up in time.”

Time. The thing that’s ticking away with each passing week. A knot is in my throat again, but I swallow it away.

19

Hendrix

Garrett

Has the baby had her dip-tet?

I’ve gone a while without answering his texts, and I’m starting to feel bad. Garrett and I’ve always been close, even if his life’s purpose is to give me a hard time.

Okay, I’ll bite. WTF?

Logan

He’s alive! Dude, I was starting to think you’d blocked us.

Zane

More like they’re drilling you to death.

Not me. I was back in shape in two days.

Zane

I do not miss training camp at all.

Garrett

You mean stretching and kicking camp, twinkle toes?

Are you roughing the kicker?

Zane

He’s just jealous.

Garrett

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