Page 126 of Home Town Advantage
“That’s why he’s not QB1. You’re the field general, not him. This isyourteam, Vance, not his. The outcome isn’t what you wanted, but you made the right choice in that moment. You gave your team the best chance to win the game. It’s a shame they didn’t, but they wouldn’t have even gotten to overtime if you didn’t get them there.”
I’ve never had someone in my corner like this. Obviously my parents always are, but they’re never here. I’m not sure I realized just how much I’ve needed this until now.
I rest my forehead on hers. “I love you.”
She rubs her nose over mine. “I love you too.”
My lips brush over hers. “I need you.”
She smiles into my mouth. “You have me.”
I do have her. Finally. And it’s more important to me than any game.
After a little make-out session, she has a huge grin on her face. I narrow my eyes at her. “Why are you so happy? We lost.”
She can’t contain her growing smile. “I just got to fulfill another fantasy. Making out with you in your uniform in a stadium tunnel. The younger me is doing cartwheels right now.” She scrunches her nose. “But the younger me didn’t consider the fact that you had been sweating for four hours. Vile Vance has a whole new meaning now.”
Suddenly feeling self-conscious, I subtly attempt to smell myself, and she giggles. “Got you.” She sticks out her pink tongue and slowly licks up my neck. “Yum. I love the smell and taste of your sweat. Such a turn-on.”
I go from partial chub to full mast in mere seconds. Adjusting myself, I grit out, “Shit, don’t make me hard in these pants.”
She lets out a loud laugh as her eyes drink me in. “Hmm, I think I like how tight those pants are.”
At first, I make her stay with me until it goes down, but then I realize it won’t go down if she’s here, so I make her leave. She tells me Keith is driving her to her house to grab some clothes, and then she’ll meet me at mine. I want to ask her to just move in with me, but it’s been a crazy few weeks, and I know she wants to wait until the season is over before we talk about the future. I’ve dropped a few comments here and there, but I know we’re unfortunately in a holding pattern for now.
As soon as I walk into the locker room, Reece Sanders is in my face. “Why didn’t you throw me the fucking ball? I was open. This loss is on you and your ego.”
I stare down at him. “Because I had no faith you would catch it. If it wasn’t for injuries, you wouldn’t have been in the game. You’d be on the bench where you belong.”
He grits out, “Hmm, McCaffrey. You do love to throw the ball to Williamson. Something going on between you two that the rest of us should know about? Has he brought you over to the dark side?”
I start to charge toward him, but Daylen steps between us and shoves Reece. “Go take a shower, Sanders. Cool off. In fact, sing while you’re in there. Give us asoapopera.”
Reece’s whole face snarls. “You think you’re so funny, Humblecut. You’re nothing but a joke. You know what, I’ve got a joke for you. What did one gay condom say to the other gay condom?”
“Watch yourself,” I grit out.
He stares at me. “Let’s get shitfaced.”
I lift my fist, but Champ jumps in between all of us and holds up his hands at me. “Don’t. Your hand is too valuable to this team. He’s not worth it.”
I want to tell him that enough is enough; he shouldn’t have to be subjected to this abuse, but before I have the chance,Champ swivels around and delivers a right hook to Reece’s nose. Reece never sees it coming and goes down hard. It immediately starts spurting blood. It’s definitely broken.
He begins screaming ignorant obscenities at Champ.
The coaching staff comes running out of their office. Theoretically, Champ should get suspended for this. Physically assaulting another teammate is against the terms of all our contracts and grounds for immediate suspension without pay.
Coach Jeffries takes in the whole situation. His eyes toggle between me, Daylen, Champ, and Reece until they eventually land solely on Reece, whose face and jersey are now covered in blood. “Sanders, you’re off the team. Empty your locker and get your ass out of my locker room.”
“But, Coach,hehitme.”
Coach’s lip twitches. “You had it coming. You’ve had it coming for a long time. And my best guess is that no one in this locker room will remember it that way. In fact, I’m pretty sure you swung first and Champ was defending himself. Isn’t that right, McCaffrey?” He looks at me.
I nod. “Yes, sir. Sanders threw the first punch. Williamson was defending himself. He can’t help that Sanders is a pussy and can’t hit for shit.”
Reece starts to plead his case, but Coach holds up his hands. “I don’t want to hear it. I’m going to give you the courtesy of officially stating that you were released for roster room purposes, but if you breathe a word of Champ hitting you outside this locker room, I’ll make sure you’re blackballed in this league. No team will touch you. Ever. If you value salvaging your career, just walk the fuck away. Right now. Take some time to evaluate your behavior. You’re still young. Make the necessary changes. You’ll regret it if you don’t. You’ve burned this bridge, but there are plenty of teams in this league who could use your talents. Don’t be a fool.”
Reece withers under Coach’s lethal stare.
