Page 63 of The Pass Protection
“I don’t have any ink, but I’d let you design something for me,” Tyler adds.
“Thanks, guys.” Liv blushes. She’s never been one to take compliments. “Plan a trip and we’ll make a weekend out of it. I’m sure Bret’s ready for fresh ink.”
“Always, babes.”
As the TV played in the background, we fell into easy conversation. Our sectional became the hub of our stories, which were filled with banter and laughter. Everything felt right inside our apartment as I was cozied on the couch with my best friend and roommates, who felt like family.
“Oh my god, this is amazing!” Liv shouts over the roar of the crowd as we toss our hands in the air, trying to draw attention to the cheerleader who is tossing T-shirts in the air
The Texas sun beats down on us as we stand among enthusiastic fans in the student section. The fight song plays, hyping the crowd up as we wait for the team to run into the field. Both of us are dressed in Macy Miller’s exclusive designs. Liv paired her cropped tee with another leather skirt, while I chose baggy denim jeans with the knees ripped out.
“Welcome to your first college football game,” I shout, tossing my arm over her shoulder. “Don’t blame me for the addiction.”
The band quits playing as silence and vibrant energy fall over the stadium. The crowd, including us, turns our attention to the massive screen on the opposite side of the field. The screen flickers to life as a soaring eagle flashes across the screen, as high-energy music pulsates through the speakers with palpable energy. Quick cuts of past games fade in and out of the screen. The crowd roars with each new clip as the anticipation builds.
The clips flash from game highlights to moments of training camps and practices as the players hit each other. Their faces were sweat-soaked and full of determination. My dad’s face moves onto the screen as he gives speeches to the team kneeling before him. “Give it everything you’ve got,” his voice booms and mixes with the music as his fist is held high. “Every play. Every day. Leave it all on the field!”
The video pans to the almost sold-out stadium today before finding the tunnel where the team waits to run out onto the field. Cannons shoot fiery red explosives into the air as the team runs out onto the turf. Shouts erupt, causing the stadium to rumble.
“Holy fuck, I have goose bumps.” Liv points to her skin where raised bumps cover her arms.
Scanning the players on our sideline, I find my brother surrounded by Tyler and Crew. The three of them hold their helmets at their sides as they laugh and joke with each other, looking relaxed and ready for kickoff.
Both teams jog out onto the turf field and take their positions. Fans are on their feet as the kickoff song plays “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, causing everyone to jump in place. The sound of the music intertwines with the sound of feet on metal and roaring cheers is a cacophony of noise.
Liv’s eyes are wide as she takes in the scene. I’ve been to dozens of football games, but the start of one never gets old. There’s such palpable excitement swirling around. I can only imagine what she’s thinking as she takes it all in for the first time, what I wouldn’t give to experience a football game for the first time again.
With the ball sailing in the air, it’s officially game time.
We stand among the crowd of students as we watch the game unfold.
I have to admit that everything has finally started to feel normal again. I no longer feel uncomfortable as I stand among a group of boisterous people, feeling lost, alone, and uneasy. Having Liv here and after a month of healing, everything feels right in my life. After months of fearing my shadow, I’m finally living life again like normal twenty-year-olds should.
The first quarter flies by in a blur. For some reason attending games live always makes the time go faster. Instead of the commercial break lull on television, breaks are filled with entertainment either on the field or in videos on the Jumbotron, making the interruption feel quick. No one in the student section sits, at least around us, where we stand shoulder to shoulder, screaming our lungs out as we watch our defense stop the Tigers from scoring. Tyler scores for us as he leads the team down the field before rushing three yards into the endzone with a quarterback keep.
“He’s so hot,” Liv yells beside me as I shake my head. Tyler is beautiful, and if it weren’t for Crew, he would be my type, which is the opposite of Olivia’s dark and broody who dresses in too much black and leather.
As the second quarter progresses, I find myself glancing around more. The feeling of needing to look over my shoulder hits me, and I feel unease wash over me like a tidal wave. It’s a familiar feeling Ihaven’t felt in a while. My mind has to be playing some kind of sick joke on me.
Yeah, Bret, it’s just a twisted game. It’s only because Olivia is here and emotions from the past have been at the forefront of your mind.
Looking around the sea of bodies, I’m met with unfamiliar faces who offer tight-lipped smiles whenever I make dreadful, awkward eye contact. The student section roars with cheers as I snap my head toward the field. The ball is flying through the air from where Tyler has thrown it down the field. Just when I think the pass will go out of bounds, number eighty-eight lifts his arms high as he leaps in the air. Crew’s supersize allows him to get just enough space between him and his defender. I watch with bated breath as he’s able to bring the ball down with the grip of his fingertips.
Touchdown! Now that’s the kind of catch that ends up on Sports Center.
I jump with the rest of them as we share high-fives with everyone around us. Liv and I tap aluminum beer bottles as we celebrate another scoring drive before halftime. Our section is wild as cheers continue, and the extra-point kick flies through the uprights.
“Guess who’s getting laid tonight.” Liv leans in close before tipping her bottle to the sidelines, where teammates walk by Crew and tap him on the helmet.
I nudge her shoulder because, yes, she’s probably right. Adrenaline is constantly pouring through his veins after games.
“No, but seriously,” she shouts. “This is incredible!”
“I told you!” I nod enthusiastically. “This is why I wanted you to go to games with me in Arizona.”
“We’ll go to more together, especially once all your hot, talented friends make it to the pros.”
“Deal.” We clink drinks while the final seconds in the half tick down.
