Page 95 of Brick Wall
The snow is coming down good, but I take a quick look at my route and ensure I can see the end zone clearly. The crews have been working hard to clear the lines.
Calvin snaps the ball to Quinn, and I act like I’m going to block before I release late and run into the end zone. I’m completely open, the defense looking everywhere but me.
Quinn is receiving pressure from the defense, and he does one pump before throwing the ball straight to me.
Here it comes, aimed straight for my giant belly.
I wrap the ball around me as I fall to my knees in the snow. I clutch the ball to my stomach to ensure the ball isn’t going anywhere. I’m basically in the fetal position, using my extra cushion to my benefit, ensuring the catch is mine. I’m not screwing this chance up. This is a once-in-a-lifetimeopportunity.
The ref closest to me throws his hands up in two beautiful straight lines to indicate a touchdown, and my heart soars. I can’t believe I have a touchdown to my name. I never thought I’d ever get a chance to do so. My very own touchdown—what an incredible feeling.
I jump on my feet, energy pumping through my veins, as I spike the ball in the end zone. On instinct, I shake my body from the shoulders down and hip thrust in the air six times, for every point now on the board. I let my belly do the shaking and the dancing for me without a care in the world. I am so ecstatic.
Just as I finish my final hip thrust, a few teammates jump on top of me, joining the exorbitant celebration.
The fans are going completely wild, throwing snow up in the air from the stands, making the air look like one enormous cloud of frost.
I still can’t believe it.
The game is now tied 6–6.
Our kicking unit heads on to the field, and a minute later we all watch the ball sail through the uprights for one more point.
I look up at the clock, and there is no time remaining.
It’s 6–7.
We did it.
We won.
We are going to the Super Bowl!
I throw off my helmet and run on the field with my fellow teammates to celebrate even more.
A few minutes later, I discover my cheering crew on the field with me.
Annie runs straight to me, and I pull her into a big hug, picking her up and swinging her around in the air.
I place Annie down, and before I turn around, I find Ryan jumping on top of me.
“GOODICK THICC SIX BABY!” Ryan yells at the top of his lungs.
* * *
The next morning, I open my front door to find a newspaper on my doormat. I bend down to pick up the paper suspiciously since I don’t subscribe to any. However, when I read the headline, I know exactly who is responsible for this.
The same person a reporter must have overhead yesterday on the field after the game.
I let out a solid chuckle when I look at the front page of theBoston Heraldand read: GOODICK’S THICC SIX FOR THE WIN!
I bring the paper into my condo and set it down on the table. I’m going to frame that headline later.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Annie
Iopen the door to an adorable café in the South End of Boston, just around the corner from where Scarlett works at the foundation. I’m meeting her here since her schedule is more hectic than mine currently.
