Page 1 of Run the Play
Prologue
Landry
The crowd's roar is so loud, I can barely hear myself think. I scan the scoreboard, and we’re still up by three. Not that I expect it to change, but I’m reassuring myself. It’s the third down, and forty-five seconds are left on the clock. We’re at the fifty-yard line and need to make this happen. We need to move. We need to either keep position and burn down the clock, or take it to the end zone. Either way, the Rampage is walking out of the Defenders’ Stadium with the win.
League champs, baby!
Sure, I know anything can happen in forty-five seconds, but the boys and I, we’ve busted our asses to get here. We’re too damn close to let this game, the league fucking championship, slip through our fingers.
“Reynolds!” Knox Beckett, our team captain, our quarterback, the best in the league and with the stats to prove it, my best friend, and his new title as my sister’s fiancé, calls out to me.
“Cap?”
He calls the play. “Cinnamon roll hero on two.”
“My man!” I hold my fist out for him to bump knuckles before we all toss our hands in chanting, “Rampage,” and taking our places on the line. There’s no time to give my best friend hell about the name of the play. Since falling in love with my little sister, he’s become softer and living for more than just the game. However, this particular play is for him and me. My sister is always reading, and apparently, she claims Knox and me, as well as a few of our other teammates, are what you would call a cinnamon roll hero. I still don’t know what the fuck that means, but Corie, my sister, and her best friend, Sloane, act like it’s a good thing, so I roll with it.
I’m still going to give Knox shit, though, for naming plays because of something my sister said. He’s got it bad for her. It’s weird, and I’m still adjusting, but if I’m being honest, Knox Beckett is one of the best men I know. If it had to be anyone who swept my little sister off her feet, I’m glad it was him. Knox treats her like a queen, and Corie is happier than I’ve seen her in a very long time.
On the line, Knox calls out the play over the crowd's rumble. Keen, our center, hikes the ball, and I take off like a lightning bolt down the field. My arms pump fast as my legs carry me toward the end zone. The Defenders' defense tries to match my speed, but I’m too fast for them. Looking over my shoulder, I see the ball flying through the air. A perfect spiral, and I grin as the ball lands beautifully in my hands. Tucking it close to my chest, I run like my ass is on fire as the yards dwindle, and my heart rate increases. Stepping over that white line into the end zone, I spike the ball and fall to my knees.
“Touchdown Rampage!” the announcer proclaims, and the stadium goes wild.
Fucking league champions.
My eyes mist with tears, because this is the dream. Every professional player imagines this moment, and for me, my team, my brothers, my family, it’s our reality. We’re league champs.
I’m lifted off my feet and get lost in the mass pile of my teammates as we celebrate and soak up the moment. Breaking away from the group, my eyes search for my best friend. I rush toward Knox, jogging to where he’s standing. “Fucking Beckett!” I hug him tightly. Our teammates don’t let us enjoy this solo hug. They surround us, and once again, I find myself in a big-ass group hug. We’re laughing, crying, calling out in celebration. I’ll never forget this moment.
Years of hard work and dedication brought us here. We’ve busted our asses, and came out victorious. “Fuck yeah!” I scream—not that anyone can hear me over the massive celebration around me. Families and reporters are making their way to the field. Confetti falls all around us, and I break away, searching for my sister. Knox’s height stands out, and I know Corie will be there.
Sure enough, Knox is hugging his family—something I’ll be sure to do as well—but right now, it’s my little sister I need to see. She’s standing at the end of the line by her best friend, Sloane.
“Core,” I say, feeling my throat grow tight with emotion. I open my arms, and my sister walks into my embrace.
“You did it, Landry. You did it. They would be so proud of you. I’m proud of you. I love you,” she tells me, rambling through her tears.
“Thank you for being here.” I step back and wipe at my eyes, while Corie does the same.
“Nowhere else I’d rather be.” She turns to show me her jersey that’s got my name and number, as well as Knox’s on the back. She had it custom-made for today’s game. She said she had to support her entire family, and I’m not gonna lie. My little sistergot me in my feels with that one. Knox is her future, and I wouldn’t have been hurt if she had worn his jersey. Sure, I would have given her shit over it, but I’m her big brother—that’s my job. However, my little sister has the biggest heart of anyone I know, and she found a way to support both of us on the biggest day of our careers.
Corie’s eyes dart to the right, and I know Knox is getting closer. I move behind her, placing my hand on her shoulder as he reaches her. Sloane looks over at me, and I lift her off her feet and twirl her around.
“Landry!” she shrieks. She’s laughing and crying as well.
“League champions, Sloane!” I yell, placing her back on her feet.
She smiles up at me and slaps at my chest. “I’m so proud of you.” She moves in for a hug, and I accept it.
Sloane has been in my life since Corie started kindergarten. She’s my second little sister, and I’m glad she’s here for this. Having lost both of my parents at a young age, I know how important it is to embrace the loved ones still in my life. We’re not promised tomorrow. We need to live each day as if it might be our last.
This day… it’s damn well going down as one of the best.
Four hours later, the interviews have been done, we’ve celebrated with our team with chaos in the locker room, and now, we’re all headed back to my place. There will be more formal celebrations for the team coming this week. I leave the locker room with Knox, Reid, Baker, and Foster. We’re thick as thieves, and no way we're not going to continue this celebration tonight. I’m even prepared. I stocked food and beer because,either way, we win together, and we lose together. I knew that the night would end with everyone at my place.
When we push out the locker room door, our families are waiting for us. Knox spots Corie and rushes toward her. He lifts her off her feet and spins her around. Her laughter settles in my chest. Seeing her this happy makes me happy.
“Unhand my baby sister,” I say, stepping beside them. Knox releases her, and Corie comes toward me and hugs me tightly. We’ve already done this, but today was huge, and it deserves all the hugs.
