Page 60 of Necessary Roughness
“You got it, Coach.”
We reached OCSU three hours before the game. Enough time to get situated in the visiting locker room, do some warm-ups on the field, then change out of our practice gear and into the gamejerseys. The opposing crowd was hostile as we jogged out onto the field as a team, a chorus of boos and curses raining down on us from all sides.
We won the coin toss and had the ball first. I took a deep breath, then strode onto the field with my ten teammates.
“You hear Elkins is out?” Logan asked me.
I nodded. “I’m moving you to the left side for most of our plays, along with Andy. Whoever they have filling in for Elkins, I want to split their attention. Double-team them.”
Behind his faceguard, Logan grinned. “We’ve gotten good at that lately.”
I laughed with him, then turned my attention to the play sheet strapped to my arm. It was time to do what we did best.
The first three plays were all completed passes. Sure enough, the poor freshman who was replacing Elkins couldn’t handle Logan and Andy’s routes. We marched down the field, sprinkling in a few rushing plays, before I threw a long pass to Logan. It soared higher than I intended, but Logan leaped into the air and caught it with both hands before bringing his feet down in the end zone.
That shut up the OCSU crowd. The silence that filled the stadium sounded as sweet as any cheer. After celebrating with Logan, I found myself scanning the Westview College section. I had to remind myself that Sloane hadn’t made the trip here.
But I couldfeelher watching at home.
“Let’s do it again on the next possession,” I told my team as we returned to the sideline. “Foot on the gas, don’t let up!”
It was an exciting back-and-forth game. OCSU scored on their possession, then we kicked a field goal on our next one. Ourdefense struggled for the first half, but found their groove after halftime.
When the clock hit zero, the score was 45 - 38. We had won!
There was no quiet anxiety on the bus ride home; we were all smiles as we celebrated. After joining in the reverie for a little while, I pulled out my phone and checked my messages. I had dozens of them from friends and family, but there was one name I searched for first.
Sloane:Good luck out there! I now realize you’re already on the field and don’t have your phone, but I still wanted to say so before the game started.
Sloane:YES! TOUCHDOWN! LET’S GOOOOO
Sloane:I’m watching the game with the twins. We’re already pretty drunk.
Sloane:Great game. I didn’t realize OCSU has beaten us three years in a row. You looked great out there today.
Me:Hey, I’m just catching up on texts on the ride home. It feels pretty great to finally beat those assholes.
Me:Got any plans tonight? There’s a party at the Sigma house, I think we’re going to go.
Sloane:Hi sexy quarterback man. Maybe. I’m kinda, sorta, drink right now.
Sloane:Dronk right now.
Sloane:DAMNIT.
Me:You’re drunk, you mean?
Sloane:Yes. Thank you. I think I’m going to stay in tonight. Is that okay?
Me:Why wouldn’t it be?
Sloane:Because I’m your sex toy who is only good for sex and now I’m turning down sex, which goes against our sex agreement
Me:You can always turn down sex. No worries.
Sloane:I’ll make it up to you. But now I’m going to take several naps.
Me:Have fun, see you later Sloane
