Page 115 of The Pass Protection
Who plans a bowl game two days before Christmas?
After quickly stopping at the hotel to drop off my luggage, I hopped in the waiting rideshare to Allegiant Stadium. The good thing about arriving late to the game is the line to get in is practically nonexistent—crowds of fans mill around outside, where tents and merchandise trailers are set up. Mascots and blow-up animals line the sidewalk as small bands entertain the crowd so that those in attendance can watch the game on the outside screens.
Scanning my mobile ticket, I pass through security, where my clear bag is checked, and I place my VIP badge around my neck. Climbing the stairs, I open the entry doors as I rush into the stadium. But as soon as I step inside the black interior, I’m taken aback. Jaw slackened, I take in the incredible entry. A gigantic chandelier hangs in the sky, its lights glimmering. The black and white, modern interior feels more like an art exhibit than any football stadium I have ever entered.
As eager as I am to get to my seat, I allow myself a few minutes to walk around the stadium and thoroughly soak in the magnitude of such a venue. Walking down one hallway, black wallpaper with metallic shapes and designs line the walls as it leads to an open space with windows overlooking the Vegas strip. Casinos and resorts shine, coming to life in the night light. Following a crowd of people, I stumble across a hallway, which is, in fact, an art gallery. Portraits hang from the walls, each giving an art deco vibe. Huffing a laugh, I can’t believe I’m at a game in this stadium.
The announcer announces the end of the second quarter, and I take that as my cue to find my mom. Before the halftime rush escapes their seats, I hop into the first concession line I see. With a giant pretzel and a large Coke in hand, I push through the crowd until I find the section behind our bench near the fifty-yard line. She’s sitting among the crowd near the center of the field. The perk of your dad being a coach is you are given great seats. Other wives and family members circle her, but there’s an empty seat next to her reserved for yours truly.
Scooting my way down the row, I plop into the chair with an exasperated sigh, startling her. “Bret, sweetie, you made it.”
“Barely,” I grumble around the mouthful of pretzel I couldn’t resist any longer. “Traffic was a bitch.”
She side-eyes me but doesn’t scold me for cussing. It looks like we are both letting things go today. “How did everything go in Arizona?”
“It went as planned. Hopefully, everything is taken care of.”
“That’s great, sweetie. Couldn’t talk Olivia into coming?”
“Oh no, I think her days of football are over. Besides, she officially has a chair as a tattoo artist at the shop, and her waiting list is over a year long. I don’t see her taking any extra time off any time soon.”
“Well.” Mom pauses as I chuckle at her expression. I can tell she’s struggling with what to say next. “Good for her.”
Nudging her shoulder, I laugh out loud. “C’mon, Mom, what do you say we fly to Arizona and get ourselves matching tattoos? Hell, I bet Liv knows someone in Vegas who can hook us up. A friend of a friend sort of thing.”
Scoffing, she shakes her head, eyeing me as if I’m on drugs. “Over my dead body. Did all that altitude go straight to your head?”
Shrugging, I take another huge bite of the delicious pretzel and savor the salty dough. Glancing at the big screen, I finally take in thescore, mentally scolding myself for not checking sooner. The Eagles are up seventeen to seven.
“You look good, Bret.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I say, leaning my head on her shoulder. “I feel good.”
“Happy?”
A smirk tilts my lips. “Hopefully, by the end of the game.”
“He’s playing an excellent game. One of those touchdowns is his.”
Sitting back up in my seat, I smile as I stare out at the field, willing the time to go faster. Not that he has any reason to, but a part of me hopes he’ll look this way when he runs back onto the field. I want him to know I’m here. I’m here for him.
The halftime entertainment runs off the field. I didn’t even pay attention. I was too busy with what was happening in my head and my conversation with Mom. The lights flash in theatrics as the announcer announces the CTU Eagles as they run out of the tunnel. Placing my drink in the cup holder attached to the back of the seat, I stand with the crowd, clapping and cheering.
Dad glances in our direction as he flashes Mom a wink. His attention slides in my direction, and a smile spreads across his face. He gives a subtle wave. Warmth spreads through me, and for the first time in nearly a month, I feel excited for the first time in a long time. As much as I’ve loved my time at CTU it was always shadowed with the fear of the unknown. Now that that fear has been resolved, a weight no longer blinds me. I feel free and allowed to dream for the future.
In thirty minutes, my future will feel the same way.
Hopefully.
“Block! Block! Block!” I scream on my feet as I watch Crew protect the passing game as my brother runs down the field, the football clutched between his arm and body. He makes it fifteen yards before he comes down on the twenty-yard line.
Time moves in slow motion as we work hard to hold our lead. The team is playing like a well-oiled machine, everyone is gelled and in sync. This is how they’re supposed to play. It’s so different from how they played in the conference championship game—well, the first and only part I watched.
Dad glances up briefly as he looks for Mom. It’s as if she’s the calm to his storm, his breath of fresh air in a time of chaos.
“Time needs to move faster,” I grumble as I sit, placing my hands underneath my thighs to keep them from shaking with nerves.
“Relax, it’ll all work out.”
