Page 45 of #Awestruck

“I told you the Jacks were a better team,” my dad said. “And here’s my case in punt.”

The Raiders did indeed have to punt the ball, and Evan ran out onto the field with his offense.

And I couldn’t breathe.

I had watched him play a million times before. Why was this different? What did I think was going to happen?

I’d only just started to breathe normally again when Evan turned his head, looking up at our box. Was he looking for me the way I’d been searching for him? He raised one hand, and I held mine up against the glass. Could he see me all the way up here?

Evan called the first play, and his team got into position. He had set up to pass the ball, taking his time in the pocket to throw it exactly where he wanted it to go.

One of the Raiders’ defensive linemen found a hole in the offense and broke through, running straight for Evan. Evan released the ball and threw it downfield to his wide receiver. Two seconds later the defensive lineman tackled Evan.

I was only vaguely aware of the announcers’ voices as I watched the foul being committed. Scooter announced, “Dawson is being rushed, and—oh! Terrance White has got him.”

“That had to hurt!” Keith replied.

“Where’s the call?” I demanded, yelling out the open window.

“What call?” my brother-in-law asked.

“White took two steps after Evan released the football. Where’s the ‘roughing the passer’ call?”

Scooter said, “Dawson is down but looking none the worse for wear as he gets back on his feet.”

I felt this rush of relief when Evan got up and went back over to his huddle, ready to set up his next play.

Still no call for him.

“Come on, Ref!” I shouted, knowing he couldn’t hear me but unable to contain my anger.

I used to like watching Evan get sacked. There had always been something cathartic about it. Now? It kind of upset me.

A lot.

They weren’t going to call the penalty, and I lost it. “Hey, Ref! Do you know what a football player does when he loses his eyesight? He becomes a referee!” I was literally shaking my fist out of the window. What was happening to me?

“She’s going to get us banned from another sport,” Rory said.

“You seem awfully protective of the QB,” Aubrey added. “Maybe you should go down there and be one of his offensive linemen.”

“Hilarious,” I muttered sarcastically and turned to see my sisters exchanging satisfied glances.

“We think so.”

I whirled around and went back to the food table. I’d get a bunch of carbs and then sit in the corner where I couldn’t see the game. Maybe it would be better for my family and my blood pressure if I didn’t watch.

I focused on my niece and nephew, who were running in big circles in the open space behind the couch. Aubrey was cuddled up with Justin, and they both looked extremely relaxed. Usually they had to spend most of the game trying to keep their kids entertained and in one spot so that they didn’t bother the other fans. But here in this enclosed space, the children could run around to their hearts’ content, which they did. They were going to pass out like little blackout drunks on their ride home.

Evan got another first down according to Keith, and I pulled out my phone. Part of me wanted to text him to be more careful. Because stuff like your spleen, rotator cuffs, and knee cartilage? They were useful in your everyday life. But mostly I wanted to thank him. For giving my family this amazing experience. I knew it would be hours before he saw it, but I owed him my gratitude.

Just as I sent off the text, I heard that Evan had gotten another first down. I put my phone back in my pocket and headed over to the window. I couldn’t stay away. I had to watch.

Evan had been doing what he always did—he slowly drove the ball down the field one play at a time. And it made me think of the night of our dinner and how he’d told me this was his specialty. Wearing down his opponents until he got what he wanted.

I was starting to get the sneaking suspicion that he had been a hundred percent right in his assessment and that it was going to work on me, too.

“Why doesn’t he throw it?” Justin asked, and of course my dad was ready with a quip he’d probably been holding on to for years.

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