Page 17 of Replay

“They’re giving me a run for my money in practice, so that’s a good sign. They do have a hard time keeping up with Nola, but I’m telling you, he’s just one of those players. He’ll no doubt be a first-round draft pick in a few years if he stays healthy.”

My dad and I continue eating our meals as he fills me in on life back in Nori and my free-spirited sister’s latest antics.

As soon as we finish eating, I notice a man out of the corner of my eye approaching our table. We both look toward him.

“Hey there, gentlemen. I’m Phil, the owner of The Wolfpack.” He reaches out, shaking my dad’s hand first, then mine. “Outlaw, glad to have you here.”

The Howler report plastered me in my practice jersey across the front of their release today, so I guess I’m easy to spot.

“Thank you. The food and service have been great. Just meeting my dad for a bite before film.”

“Well, I just wanted to say hello and ask a favor of you.” He looks bashful with the last part of the statement.

“Sure, what’s up?”

That’s when I notice the jersey he has slung over his shoulder. “I have your jersey and was hoping you’d sign it so we can put it on the wall with the other legends,” he says, pointing to the wall behind where we sit.

“Of course, I’d be honored.” My first thought is that Berkley will see it every shift. Now I just need to work on her not admiring it with disdain.

He passes me a Sharpie, and I sign my name and the number two on the back of the jersey. “All set.”

“My son’s going to go crazy for this. He’s been a fan since we watched you at Texas Tech,” he says, holding up the jersey.

I smile at that; I remember being a young fan idolizing my football heroes. “What size is he?”

His mouth drops open before saying, “Seriously?”

I laugh, smiling. “Absolutely. I probably won’t have time this weekend, but maybe I can swing it by on Monday.”

“Anytime. And he’s a youth medium or maybe even a youth large, so he can wear it longer. You have no idea how excited he’s going to be.”

“Happy to do it.”

He pats me on the shoulder and shakes my dad’s hand again. “Hope to see you both in here again soon. Your meal is on the house.”

We both tell him he doesn’t need to do that, but he waves us off and heads toward the back.

“Nice guy. I should try to get his kid tickets too,” I say, and my dad just smiles at me.

“I don’t tell you enough how proud I am of you.” He glances at his watch. “I don’t want you to be late. You better get out of here. I’m going to stay and work on my laptop a little longer.”

“Okay, I’ll see you after the game tomorrow, right?” I confirm with him as I stand.

“Of course, ol’ buddy.” He hugs me and kisses the top of the head. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Dad.” Through everything, my dad has been my constant, and I want him to have his own happiness, not just living for me and Willow.

I take a few steps away from him and turn back. “Let me hear them.”

He smiles, knowing exactly what I want.

Positive manifestations for tomorrow.

“Four touchdowns.” Holding up four fingers, he then points one at me. “One of which you run into the end zone yourself. And a big win over Tennessee.”

“I like the sound of those.”

I’ll be writing them in my playbook tonight and adding one of my own.

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