Page 210 of Steeling Her
I was slow to it at the beginning, but now, I find myself doing it off the field without even realizing it.
Now all my games are a rush. I have to pace myself if I want to be the best. Beating the best means beating the older Steel. Being the best quarterback in the game means I need to up my own game. Being the best means you have to beat the current best, and that’s Austin Steel.
Football is my life now. I train every single day. I have a team of people helping me out and keeping me focused and on target. We’re getting to the point where I could become number one, but I have to prove myself on the stage.
The field is my stage.
We call the play to get everyone on the same page. In agreement, everyone puts themselves into their positions. In a flash, the ball is snapped back to me and I hold off until I can see a free Lawson, who is trying his best to rush down the field. Two problems: one, he won’t make it in time as I have an opposing player running after me with no blocker to help right now; and two, I need to launch it now or run alone down the field. I take that option and dodge the player, pushing him off and making a break alone. I had no other option. No man is free for me to pass to right now, and the clock is ticking. You must abuse the seconds and use them to your advantage.
Keep moving forward.
I listen to my breathing growing harsher and harsher as I run towards the one place that I need to be; the end zone. Drowning out everything, I know I’ll get my ass kicked if I stand there or pass to Lawson. I take matters into my own hands and play the hand I was dealt with.
I run and run and run until there’s no space left for me to run. I find myself at the place where I needed to be.
I yank myself back into reality when bodies crash into me as my team celebrates around me. Patting my shoulders as a job well done, I nod back in appreciation for their support. When I turn around to continue the game so we don’t waste anymore time on this, I meet Chris’s eyes staring back at me. His stone cold expression makes me freeze. I don’t know what it is, but he seems to be the one out of the two brothers that has given me a much harder time. I thought it would have been Austin.
I swallow, apprehensive about his intentions. Is he pissed that I altered the play?
He saunters closer to me and nods. “Good call. My ass wouldn’t have made it,” he jokes, making both of us laugh. “I’m not the only one impressed.” He points his head to the stands. I see Rodger Steel peering down at the both of us with two hands on his hips. I can tell he’s looking at me specifically but he’s too far away for me read his face.
I impressed him?
I’m pulled back to the game when someone slaps me out of my stupor. I jog back to our side to begin another play until the clock runs out.
***
“Good game, man!” Jason compliments me. I smile back in appreciation and take off my pads so I can have a long shower and wash the sweat and dirt off me.
I crane my arm back to stretch and move it in circular motions to loosen up the strain I’m feeling again. This reminds me that I must return for another physical therapy session, and I will only have one person doing that.
I smile to myself at the image of her helping me out again; her hands touching me again. Her small fingers feeling for any pain that I have. If she were to find the source of all my pain, it would be in my chest.
I grab my stuff and make my way into the showers where the rest of the team are at. Shampoo, body wash, a towel, and my clothes are all in hand. I shut the door behind me once I get into the cubicle and begin my routine. Each shower has a designated ice bath for the person using it; each player gets ten minutes in that ice bath for us to soothe our muscles. It’s the one thing I love about the end of a football game. I’m always hot and I’ve always loved cold things.
I smirk down at my friends and strip the remainder of my clothes off, allowing myself to sink into the tiny, arctic plunge that has been designed for us to use after games.
I rest my body in the bath for what feels like a short amount of time before I hear the clock beep at me. I push myself out of the bath and rest by the side to wait for my body temperature to regulate back to normal. My entire skin is raw red from the ice cold water but I feel fantastic.
As I wait for my body to adjust, I switch on the shower but then stop. I don’t want to weaken my immune system going from cold to hot.
I’m lost in my thoughts until waves of rising steam catches my eye. I know now it’s ready for me to get in.
Minutes later, after working off autopilot, I find myself in a car with Haley and TJ as we head to the nearest club for celebrations. I’m not familiar with this place just yet, so I already forgot the name of the place we’re going to tonight.
When I pictured myself moving out here, I thought it would be a lot more crazy, but it’s very normal out here. It wasn’t like I expected. I’ve moved a few times, and nothing is filling the void that made me happy like in college. I think I know the reason why.
I know that the team will be at the club and we have a sectioned off area for our safety and for others. We’re two hundred pounds of meat that can tackle pretty much anyone. Plus, when you have the adrenaline added in there, we were more than likely to cause damage when there needs to be some defense.
As I sit in the car with my sister and future brother-in-law, I stare blankly out the window. Even though I probably played one of my best games tonight, I still can’t shake the feeling that I’m missing something. I rest my finger across my upper lip as I continue thinking about this, trying to figure it all out. Before I could, I was greeted with the flash of a camera in my face. I realize we’ve arrived at our destination.
I spin around to make sure that my sister is okay. She sends me a quick nod to let me know. I know TJ is keeping her safe, because as soon as the door opens on her side, he takes hold of her hand and guides her gently out while pushing back the photographers. My sister is, without a doubt, very popular in this state. People love to read about her and TJ as a couple.
As I slide out on her side, I’m greeted with screams from girls and paparazzi asking me to take pictures. I ignore them and continue my way inside the club. I don’t need this kind of hassle right now. I was enjoying my peace and serenity in the comfort of my own thoughts. I used to be that guy who got people’s attention and liked it. Now, I don’t.
I bulldoze past them and get to the doors where I greet the security team guarding the club. With a quick nod from them, I enter inside as I try to find Haley in the crowd. Once I spot her waving at me wildly, I make my way over to her and TJ by the bar. Another checkpoint I must go through, but I’m let in easily and quickly because they recognize me.
As I near to them, I notice the space in our area compared to the lack of space elsewhere. I greet some of my team members as I pass by them to get to TJ. A beverage with no alcohol is held up to me. I usually don’t drink during the season. I get paid to do a job and I will do it to the best of my ability, and that’s done with no alcohol in my system like most of the other players on this team.
