by Erin Hayes
Jacob’s attack stopped, and I glanced up to see him staring at the door.
I had watched a lot of football in the last few months. In practice and in games and as I helped Noel program the VR app in what spare time I had.
So I pulled myself to my feet, bent over low, and rushed at Jacob, taking him down in an absolutely perfect tackle.
The next thing I knew, Clancy and Andre both had me in their arms, pulling me off Jacob.
“You got him, baby,” Andre said. “It’s okay now.”
“And that was a gorgeous tackle,” Clancy said, putting a foot on my ex-boyfriend to hold him down. “You are amazing.” He kissed my forehead, ignoring the tears streaming down my face.
“What the fuck is he doing here?” Ashley asked.
“Yeah,” Rodney said, trailing in through the door. “And what happened to you?” He reached out to touch my cheek. “And can I kill him?”
“What are you doing here?” I asked him softly. He hadn’t been with my friends earlier.
He crossed his arms. “Stayed late to work off some extra energy in the weight room.”
Something passed between us, but then I winced at the pain of my face and it was gone.
“Jacob was trying to steal our VR program for his new team,” I said. “The Armadillos.”
Rodney snarled. Yeah. He definitely still cared.
Was there a chance between us?
Noel shook his head, still talking about Jacob. “Well, he never would’ve gotten to it this way. Our cybersecurity is much better than he thinks.”
“I called our security guards,” I said. “But Jacob bribed at least one of them, so I don’t know who I can trust.”
“Fuck that,” Ashley said. “Call the cops.”
“Definitely,” Andre said, picking up my phone.
“Let me have him first,” Rodney said, his voice low and dangerous.
Clancy cracked his knuckles, and Jacob whimpered. “You want us to take care of him first?” the linebacker asked.
“No,” I answered definitively. “He’s not worth the trouble.” Or the assault charges.
“The police it is, then,” Andre said. I watched as he dialed.
And I stood like that, surrounded by people who loved me, people who would protect me in every way they could, until the police arrived to take my abusive, thieving, asshole ex-boyfriend to jail.
Where I hoped he would stay for a very, very long time.
Chapter 17
I could see why people got so into football games and their team’s winning streaks. I used to make fun of it, never ever understood it. Then again, I never had a team to cheer for. Never understood the stakes of each individual game. And I never really hung out with friends who were into it either.
In other words, this was an entirely new experience for me.
The last game of the regular season.
Against all the odds, my team was 9-6. Which I had learned meant that they had won nine games and lost six. Which apparently meant that they were good enough to be in the running for the playoffs.
Just barely, though. As Ashley had explained to me several times, if they won this game and some other teams lost, then they were in. If the Yellowhammers lost or tied, however, they were out of the playoffs.
Such a fine, fine line between success and failure.
And I felt like it was a direct reflection of me.
“I need another Yellowhammer,” I told the server as I anxiously waited for the game to start from the owner’s box. It would be my second alcoholic drink, and the game hadn’t even started yet.
“Oh! Me, too!” Noel chimed in, raising his hand. I gave him a sly smile, and he shrugged. “I just want to try one. Go Hammers and all.”
Go Hammers indeed.
Noel was decked out in full Yellowhammer regalia, from a jersey with Clancy’s number on it to his yellow shoes. Then again, I was also dressed up in a jersey myself—one without a number, because I didn’t want to play favorites among my guys—and a skirt that matched. Winston even had a bandana tied around his neck, making him look dapper.
If you had told me years ago that Noel and I would be this nervous and anxious about a football game, I would have thought you were crazy.
Now, though. Well, we looked like we were the ones who were crazy.
The server came back with our drinks—bless her—and Noel took a sip. “Oh, I like that,” he murmured appreciatively.
“Me, too,” I said before I downed the whole thing. He just looked at me with surprise.
But I needed some sort of mind-altering substance to get me through the next four hours, and these drinks were just the trick.
Because my Yellowhammers were up against the San Antonio Armadillos. I’d had the worst nightmares leading up to this game. Dreams of Jacob and Coach Mack coming into the corporate boxes and taking everything away from me, laughing maniacally as they did so.
Yeah, my dreams were fucked up. And it didn’t matter who I had spent the night with that night, whether it was Andre or Clancy—whoever I was with was attacked along with me. Once Jacob and Mack even pulled guns on us in my dreams.
I didn’t think that Coach Mack and Jacob would really walk in here with their guns drawn—especially since Jacob was dealing with a restraining order and my charges against him.
But I couldn’t shake this sense of foreboding.
Something bad was going to happen.
“Are you okay, Miss Harte?” Jimmy Clayton asked as he pulled up a chair to sit next to me. He looked genuinely concerned, and I quickly coughed and cleared my throat, so he wouldn’t see that I was slightly inebriated.
“Yeah,” I said, giving him an encouraging smile that I didn’t feel. “Just nervous.”
Jimmy patted my hand in a fatherly gesture. “Don’t worry. Even if the Yellowhammers don’t win this, they still did so much better than last year. You’ve proven that you’re taking the team places. After all, you’ve managed to wrangle me here.”
I smiled at him. “Thank you. Thank you for believing in the team and me.” Because if it weren’t for him taking a chance on me, I’d have never been able to get more sponsors for the team. If it weren’t for Alabama Proud Laundry, we’d have nothing to be proud of right now.
“Thank you,” I said again. And I meant it, even more than those two words could ever convey. And I hoped my Hammers would do him and the other sponsors proud.
“Hey,” Ashley said, storming into the corporate box. “You need to turn the TV volume up.”
I turned around in my seat to look at her. “Shouldn’t you be with the team?” She was a trainer, after all, and the biggest game of the year was just about to start.
She only shook her head as she grabbed a remote and turned the up the volume on the TV in the corner. “You need to see this.”
She put it on CCSN, where—surprise, surprise—Coach Mack was standing at the podium in the media room of the Yellowhammers stadium. For a brief moment, I wondered if it was weird for him to be here as an assistant coach for another team.
Then I remembered that he was a prick and I shouldn’t feel sorry for him.
Ash turned up the volume and my heart sank. The press were loving the drama that he was returning to his “home turf” where the Yellowhammers’ new owner had “wrongfully terminated” his contract.
Yeah, they actually used those words.
“...It is strange being back here,” Mack said, giving what I’m sure he thought was a charming smile to the cameras. “But just because I’m back, doesn’t mean that I’ll go easy on the Hammers.”
The crowd chuckled like they were in on some kind of joke.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” I muttered.
“But.” Mack looked directly into the camera, and I had the feeling that he was talking directly to me. “After being the head coach for the Yellowhammers for two seasons, I know their weaknesses. And I know how to use those weaknesses to lead the ‘Dillos to victory.” And his li
ps turned up into something sinister. “We’re going to hit ’em where it hurts.”
A chill went down my spine. Did anyone else notice the way he said that?
“Why does he sound like a serial killer?” Noel asked.
“Because he is one,” Ashley answered, crossing her arms and shaking her head. “You should have heard what he was saying before. Actually, scratch that,” she said. “It would have just made things worse. But I ran here as soon as I could.”
Great. Just great.
“What do you think of Coach Drew’s record with the team?” a reporter asked.
“What record?” Coach Mack asked. “Let’s be honest, she’s just a token appointment by a young woman who knows nothing about football.”
“Turn it off,” I said. Ashley didn’t act fast enough, so I took the remote from her and turned it off myself. Bad idea because I now had a projectile weapon in my hand that I wanted to throw through the window.
I carefully set it on a side table and ran my fingers through my hair. As if being on the cusp of missing out on the playoffs wasn’t enough, I had to deal with this shit now.
“Just thought it would be good for you to know,” Ashley said frowning.
I nodded absently.
“Never did like that Coach Mack,” Jimmy said mildly. “Seems like he has a vendetta all the time.”
I knew there was a reason why the owner of Alabama Proud Laundry and I got along.
“I’ve got to go to see my team,” I muttered as I grabbed Winston’s leash. The basset hound grunted as he got to his feet, but I could tell that he was begrudgingly happy about the walk. I was happy to see my team one last time before the game. Although what I would do to help them out, I had no idea. But I had to do something.
Noel and I followed Ashley back down to the locker room. We specifically avoided the crowds by the press room and ducked into the locker room where the team was still getting suited up.
“Towels and naked football players,” Ashley murmured. “Never gets old.”
I laughed, but I could tell that Noel was a little crestfallen at her comment. I’d have to deal with that after this game, make sure Ash kept her promise to go out with him.
“Hey. What’s up, Madison?”
I looked to see Clancy watching me, concerned about me. He was concerned about me. Before he was about to head off to the biggest game of his career thus far. He tilted my chin up to look into his eyes, and I felt safe, guarded by his gentleness.
“I saw Coach Mack on TV,” I said.
Clancy’s cheek twitched. “Ah.”
“He said some things.”
He frowned. “What kind of things?”
“Just...” My voice trailed off as Andre noticed the two of us standing here, and he joined us. For a moment, I thought how nice it was that my two boyfriends were able to talk to me and be near each other without a fight breaking out. Without drama.
Fuck, I wanted the drama to go.
Andre just said one word as he came up to my side. “Madison.”
I licked my lips. “Hi.”
Clancy turned toward Andre. “She said that Coach Mack has been saying some stuff on TV.”
Andre quirked an eyebrow at him before turning to me. “Like what?”
“Threats,” I said, although that sounded silly now that I had spoken it out loud and replayed the exact words that he had said. Mack had been in front of an audience of reporters, using sports terms to say that the Armadillos were going to do everything to win.
Not necessarily threats, but the intent behind it. I could feel it.
“He threatened us on live television?” Andre asked. “The league has rules against that and—”
I swallowed and shook my head. “Not exactly threats, just...”
What? What was it that I could say? Truly, it wasn’t as if Mack were going to be out on the field with the assault rifle from my nightmares. Just because I didn’t like the guy didn’t mean that he was going to do something awful.
Still though, I had this feeling that I couldn’t shake.
“Just...be careful out there,” I told Andre. “You too, Clancy. I know this is the biggest game so far and—”
“Hey.” Clancy reached out and squeezed my shoulder. “We’ll be fine. We’ve got this, Madison.”
Andre nodded. “The only thing you need to worry about is making sure that you’re ready for a celebration tonight.”
I let out a short laugh, masking my own tears, and nodded. “I’ll be sure to tell the bartender at the Clucky Cowboy to stock up on pineapple and rum for the Hammers.”
“And the white sauce for the chicken wings,” another voice said. Rodney had joined us, and even though he was keeping his distance, I was glad that I had a chance to wish him good luck before the game.
“I’ll be sure to get that ordered, too.”
For a long moment the four of us stood there, and I didn’t know what else to say. Other than good luck. I wasn’t the right person to give them an encouraging speech. I barely knew enough about football to say anything else.
“Good luck,” I said finally. All three men grinned.
“Come here, Madison,” Andre murmured.
He wrapped me up in a hug and pecked me on the lips. I hugged him a little longer than necessary and then hugged and kissed Clancy. I had an awkward moment of looking at Rodney and giving him a nod.
“Break a leg,” I said again, to which Andre laughed. I winked at him, feeling better about everything. Seeing my guys had brought me peace. I had to trust in them. Had to trust that they knew what they were doing.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” Carrie Drew stormed up to our group. “You’re not supposed to be in the locker room before the game.” She glared at Noel and me, before her gaze went down to Winston, who looked at her with his sad eyes. “And what the fuck is a dog doing here?”
“Just about to leave,” I said, ducking out of the locker room. I waved to Ashley. “Take care of my team.”
She only saluted as Noel and I headed out.
“So, back up to the owner’s box?” Noel asked.
“No.” Jimmy Clayton was going to have to sit through this by himself. “I don’t want to be too far from my team.”
Noel nodded. “All right then. Looks like we’re going to sit on the sidelines.”
I laughed as we headed out to the field, ready to get settled in for the game. Even after a whole season of football games, it still caught me off-guard to step out and see the bright lights and the crowd. With every game and every win, the crowd had grown. There were more home team supporters as well as fans for the visiting team—because as the Hammers were doing better, the stakes for their own team were higher.
I found that I loved it.
I went to our side and sat down. Winston followed me, and I saw some reporters snapping photos of us. No doubt trying to get their next dramatic story out of me.
“My nerves,” I said, shaking my hands to get the blood flow back into my fingers. “My nerves are so...bad.”
“Hey,” Noel said. “We’ve got this. They can do this.”
I let out a sigh. “Thank you for your help.”
Noel shrugged. “We’ve done everything we can.”
A few minutes later, the teams came out to the roar of the crowd. They went crazy, and I chuckled as my Hammers soaked up the limelight, waving to the crowd. They had the reputation of being heartthrobs, and they were loving it.
Then the Armadillos came out, and of course, when Coach Mack appeared, I met his gaze, and he grinned. With two fingers, he pointed to his eyes, then pointed to me. I’m watching you. That’s what he was saying to me.
“Fuck,” I muttered as the moment ended, and he headed over to the visitor’s side. I just had a feeling. And I couldn’t put my finger on it.
And as a local school choir sang the national anthem, I tried to settle in for a long, long game.
Chapter 18
“Halftime,” I said with a
sigh as I sat back and crossed my arms. The longest half of anything I’d ever been through, and we had so much further to go. “They’re killing me.”
They being the Hammers. With another half of the game to play, they were down by six points. 21-15, with the Armadillos in the lead. Really, the Hammers were only a touchdown away from tying them, but we needed more than that. We needed a win to go to the playoffs.
I wrung my hands, unable to keep still. Noel took my hands and clasped them.
“Hey,” he said. “You should be proud of them. They’re hanging in there.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “Yes.” I sighed and sat back. And nothing really bad had happened. Like my nightmares were unfounded.
Which was a relief.
“Should I go talk to them?” I asked Noel. “Go tell them that they’re doing well?”
He shook his head. “Nah. From what I understand—and I’ve never played football, Madison—football is as much mental as it is physical. Let them do their thing. Don’t give them any more pressure.”
Wise words. But holy shit, I couldn’t sit still. If I couldn’t speak with my team, I had to do something else. So I grabbed Winston’s leash, got to my feet, and took him out for a potty break. Winston was happy for his little walk, and he pranced around while looking for a place to do his business.
Oh, to be a dog and not have to worry about whether or not your team wins. And to have someone else pick up your shit.
“You deserve a treat,” I said as I picked up his own treat that he had left for me. “Although I think I’m getting the short end of the deal here.”
Winston only huffed dramatically.
“Ah, Miz Harte.”
I froze as the voice slithered over me, and I barely suppressed the shudder as I stood up. Winston growled. Good dog.
“Coach Mack,” I said, trying to sound as pleasant as possible, although someone could probably hear my teeth grinding against each other. I smoothed out my skirt with one hand. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“Fancy seeing you here,” he said. “Still.” He smirked. “I thought you would have gotten bored of this by now.”
“No,” I said. I put my hands on my hips. “Well, when you take out the trash, football can actually be more fun than I thought it would be.”
