Part 10 (1/2)

Leslie snorted. Someday youll be a real boy, Robbie.

He scowled, and I snapped the photo.

Lets finish up and head to our seats. I dont want to miss Adrian when he comes out on the stage, gra.s.s Field. My friends said together.

Right.

Robbie loaded up with beer and a few more slices. I grabbed a soda and a bag of chips. The man in the green jacket was waiting for us, and we followed him up to our seats. He stepped aside and indicated we were free to walk past him. Several other people were already seated behind us. Our seats were right up at the front of the box. We had an un.o.bstructed view of the entire field. Within moments of getting situated, the crowd started to ripple with excitement that built and then finally erupted when the announcer, hidden somewhere out of our view, welcomed everyone to the Princeton National Stadium. The noise was deafening. The announcer called out each of the starting players for the visiting team, and they ran out on to the field. Some of the crowd cheered, but it was only when the announcer introduced the Mavericks that the people really went wild. They stood up and roared their cheers; some had horns and whistles, some had cow bells, and others clapped so hard I thought they might break their own hands.

These people were insane, but I found myself hooting and hollering along with them as each player ran onto the field, and then the speaker announced Adrian Maxwell. I was in awe. I thought it was crazy before, but when he ran out onto the field, it was a roar louder than thunder. I felt pride for the man I loved”he was a star.

I watched with my elbows parked on the ledge in front of my seat. I had a clear and direct view of Adrian. Robbie gabbed in my ear about home arena advantage and how the odds dictated we would win, but he knew we would anyway, thanks to the sheer skill of the team, regardless of whose field we were on. I nodded my head but stayed focused on Adrian. The ball popped toward him, and his feet danced backwards. He pulled his arm back and was about to throw the ball to another player when a force of nature from the other team pummeled him to the green turf. I cringed and closed my eyes, covering my mouth with my hands.

Is that supposed to happen? I asked Leslie.

She shook her head, eyebrows furrowed. Nope, that shouldnt happen ever. I dont understand why he didnt pa.s.s it when he had the chance.

We watched them set up again. The ball snapped back to Adrians waiting hands, and my own hands were clenched into fists, covering my mouth with anxious antic.i.p.ation. Adrian looked for someone in the distance while he maneuvered himself between people.

Oh d.a.m.n, hes caught in the pocket, Robbie was on his feet with his hands cupped around his mouth, Run, run, run, he screamed from his seat.

I saw Adrians feet move like he had heard Robbie yelling. He cradled the ball in his arm, and his feet took him across the field until a wall of a man flipped him backward over his shoulder, and Adrian slammed to the ground, the ball bouncing out of his arm, and the man on the opposite team scooped it up and ran back the same way Adrian had just come from. The crowd was on their feet. I was astounded.

As the game went on, things didnt seem to improve. I looked at Robbie. Even I could tell it wasnt going well. Our team was keeping them at bay, but no one was scoring.

What the h.e.l.l is going on? Robbie asked, like I knew.

I take it this isnt the norm?

Leslie frowned and huffed at me. Your man is playing like c.r.a.p.

Really?

Its almost halftime. He needs to get his head out of whatever cloud its in and play right, interjected Robbie.

After another fumble, we all heard as the Mavericks coach blew his whistle, threw his clip board and hat to the ground, and signaled to Adrian with a snap of his fingers and a wave of arm. Adrian ran across the field to him, and we could see the coachs head jerking like a chicken as he yelled into Adrians face mask. He pointed his finger at the bench, and we all sat there slack-jawed as the coach benched Adrian. I wanted to climb down the stairs and run to him. Find out what was wrong and let him know I was cheering him on. The coach smacked the backside of another player that must have been Adrians replacement.

The ball went out from the other team, and the crowd was cussing and screaming as the opposing player took off like a shot and made it look like a breeze to run down to the end zone and score the first touchdown of the game. I watched the score go from zero-zero to six-zero.

Thats not fair, why do they get six points for one touchdown?

Thats the way its scored, Mallory. Each touchdown is worth six points, and then they kick for the extra point.

They get an extra point? I was furious. They just got six, why do they need an extra one?

Robbie shushed me. Watch.

A little guy stood behind the ball, and I laughed out loud. Hes a little dude, hows he gonna get that ball though those two poles? It so I stopped and watch the ball sail into the air and right through the goal posts.

Well d.a.m.n it. Thats the half. Leslie stood up. Anyone want another beer?

Robbie was pouting, Might as well ease the pain somehow.

While we made our way through the crowd back to the VIP area, I began to wonder if it was me that was affecting Adrians game. Maybe I should leave. Maybe I was a football jinx. I slid up beside Leslie and whispered in her ear. Do you think Im bad luck for him?

Who?

Adrian?

Oh sweetie! No, its not you. Hes just having an off night, it happens. Theyll go back to the locker room, the coach is going to give him h.e.l.l, and h.e.l.l come back better than ever. Theres still the second half, and the other team really isnt doing much better.

I had no choice but to believe her. She knew way more about the game than I did. We restocked on drinks, and this time, they had an array of chicken wings and cookies spread out at various stations. Robbie dug in once more and shoved four or five cookies into his pocket for a late night snack, he claimed.

On our way back to our seats, I saw a kiosk of Mavericks-logoed merchandise. I scanned the various items and came across a pair of binoculars. I bought them in hopes of having a better view of Adrian. Maybe he could feel me behind him if I could focus on him better. I knew it was silly, but it made me feel helpful. I held them to my eyes and adjusted them as soon as we sat back down. Adrian came back onto the field, and I squeaked with joy. His face was determined and serious andwhat was wrong with his eye?

Leslie, look at Adrian, does he look like hes wearing eye shadow?

She took the binoculars. Its probably grease paint. It helps cut down on glare from the lights. She peered through the gla.s.s, and her mouth dropped open. Oh my d.a.m.n, someone clocked your boyfriend a good one.

I yanked back the binoculars and looked again. His eye was purple. Who could have hit him? Why didnt he tell me? Did someone do it before the game? The crowd got back on their feet, and I took the opportunity to scan the opposing team on the other side of the field. I nearly dropped the binoculars over the ledge when I spotted Giovanni. He was standing behind several rows, up from the opposite teams bench, with some very intimidating men beside him, one of them sporting two black eyes and a broken nose: Nick and Luca.

Chapter Sixteen.

Adrian Coach was literally pulling out his hair, or what little he had left of it as he paced up and down between the locker room benches. Its time to grow up, boy, time to get off your mammas milk and get your own f.u.c.king d.i.c.ks in your hands. This aint the playground anymore, its a war zone, and if you dont get your a.s.ses into the game, that other team is gonna hand them back to you on G.o.dd.a.m.ned silver platters at your own dinner table!

Normally, I would have snickered at this speech, but Coach was right”we were getting creamed out there. Even if they had only made one touchdown, they had held their ground the whole way through. I knew the majority of the blame rested squarely on my shoulders. Coach had been well within his right mind to pull me from the field and put someone else in, but McIntyre wasnt fairing much better and had less playing time. I needed to get back in there and focus.

Maxwell.

Oh no, here it comes. Coach let me have it out on the field, but that wasnt enough, he was going to give it to me again right here in front of everyone. I hung my head, ready to have him read me the riot act.

Where the h.e.l.l is your head today? I think youre s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g around in la la land with all the pretty f.u.c.king painted ponies. You want to let your team down? You want to keep us from the champions.h.i.+p? Do you?

I shook my head.

What? I dont think these fine men heard you.

No, Coach.

Well, what the h.e.l.l are you going to do about it? Your a.s.s is on the bench! You cant throw a d.a.m.n ball from the bench now, can you? McIntyres got a better chance of making a play from the d.a.m.ned parking lot than you do today.

Im sorry”put me back in, Coach. Im good. I mumbled.

Like h.e.l.l I will. You sound like a whiney.