Page 81 of Hail Marry
“I’ve got a dinner with a client to get to,” Zach says once Preston’s off the call, “but real quick, I spoke with the Admirals’ General Manager earlier today, and he says you’re doing awesome, Luca. Showing real promise. Keep it up, okay? Our stretch goal here is to ride this contract all the way through if we can. We’ll talk soon.”
His line drops from the call, and it’s just Luca and me.
“I’m just going to stop you right there,” I say.
“I didn’t say anything,” Luca replies.
“But you were going to.”
“Yeah. I was gonna ask when you want me to come help you move.”
It’s quiet for a few seconds as I process his answer. I’ve been imagining him stressed out beyond belief for the past few minutes, but he sounds calm. “No speech arguing against quitting my job and moving in?”
“You asked me to trust you. And I do. Besides, I think a move to San Diego will be good for you. You love it here.”
“I do,” I say, smiling at the thought of waking up to the sound of the waves.
“So, when do you want to move in?”
19
LUCA
Sweat trickles down my forehead,and I shake my head before it gets into my eyes.
San Diego weather is pleasantly warm, especially when you’ve got a breeze by the ocean, but the dark grass and the stadium bowl seem to trap in the heat from a cloudless sky.
I plant my feet at the line of scrimmage, looking ahead to envision my route. I’ll charge forward, then fade toward the sideline, hoping Louie, who’s got his eye on me, is fooled by DJ’s faked hand-off to the running back.
I shoot a quick glance at the opposite end of the line of scrimmage, where Bennett is set up, his focus ahead. DJ called a play-action pass, so it’ll be up to him whether he ends up throwing to Bennett or me. I’ve got the straighter route, while Bennett will cut across in my direction once the ball is snapped.
He’s had a few solid plays, but he’s also had two dropped passes. I could really use a reception in this scrimmage, and I’m hoping this is the play for it. There’s not much time left to prove myself before our first pre-season game.
You’ve got this, Luca.Focus.
DJ finishes yelling out protection adjustments, and the center snaps the ball. I push off the line as DJ fakes the hand-off. The defense bites, giving me my opening.
I fade toward the sideline, eyes ahead on my route.
I can hear Louie behind me, but I’ve got three inches on him and a decent vertical. I can catch the pass over his head.
Finally, I look back, almost expecting to see the ball coming my way in the air.
Instead, DJ’s eyes are on Bennett as he releases the football. The throw is high, and as I slow my run, I expect it to sail over Bennett. Instead, he jumps mid-stride and grabs the ball out of the air with his right hand. It’s a killer catch.
Bennett’s defender is behind him now, but he’s quick enough that he can bring Bennet down, so I sprint toward them. They’re both running my way, and just as Bennett makes a cut upfield, I brace myself and smash into the defender.
Bennett gets by and continues upfield as the safety and I fall to the ground.
Coach blows the whistle, and I try not to take an extra second getting up, even though several parts of my body are throbbing.
“Bring it in, boys!” Coach calls.
All the way in the end zone, Bennett pulls off his helmet and jogs toward the sideline, a big smile on his face and the football in hand. He feels like a million bucks right now. Again. I can’t help feeling a twinge of envy.
“Nice catch,” I say.
His gaze shifts to me, and there’s a couple seconds of hesitation before he says, “Nice block,” and continues toward the growing group of players around Coach.
