Page 109 of The Longshot

I need answers.

“So many questions for someone you ‘know’, huh, Chelsie?” Simon cryptically responds as he kisses his teeth. “Are you really sure you ‘know him’?”

“I… I…” I go to speak but have nothing left to say. I’m exhausted, tired, scared, confused.

“Listen, darling.” Simon wraps his hand behind my neck, steadying my differing gaze. “I know we’ve had our ups and downs, but listen, I never cheated on you. I was reliable, trustworthy and most of all, I always showed up.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

W I L K S

“We’re at the half, lads, and if you keep this up, we’re going to win this game. But listen, what do I always say about getting our hopes up?”

“That it’s not over till the final whistle,” I’m the first to answer Coach’s question.

I know it to be true. There’s nothing worse than going in with confidence and allowing that arrogance to go to your head. All it does is prompt you to lose sight of what you need to do—what you need to accomplish.

Football is all about concentration. There are so many elements you need to focus on. Sure, the ball is the main priority, but what about the person you need to cover?

Or about moving yourself around so that you’re in a more opportune spot?

Are you thinking of plays?

Or, as captain, what could you be doing to better communicate with your team?

It’s a repetitious cycle and a true test of multitasking at its finest. Football challenges me in ways I’ve always craved to be challenged. It’s shown me that I’m capable, confident, and, most of all, passionate.

It’s been there for me when times have been tough and reminds me that when in doubt, you always have to hold onto the things you love.

It’s been a part of many of the most memorable times in my life. It’s given me access, a platform, a chance to show the world or the town what I’m capable of, and that… that’s been one of the greatest gifts, one that I'll always hold onto no matter how old I get.

But sometimes life throws you a different challenge, a new thing to master or love, and that thing becomes someone.

Chelsie.

So, when I say football is all about concentration, I mean it because it’s taking absolutely everything in me not to stare over at the clock and count each second as it ticks down.

I need to be with her.

I wish I was with her right now.

This has never happened to me before. I’d always thought that there’s no better place to be than standing on a pitch with your team, but I was mistaken. Because the best place to be is with her—no questions asked.

“That’s right, Wilks,” Coach snaps me out of it, nodding his head in approval before he diverts his attention toward the rest of the group. “Now, do what you can, continue to communicate and?—”

Coach’s phone goes off mid-rant, prompting him to stop what he’s doing.

“Sorry.” He reaches into his pocket and reads the name across the screen. I’m nosy and can’t help but read it too.

My Sunshine.

Delaney.

He ponders what to do for a moment before declining the call and mumbling, “I'll call her back in a minute,” under his breath, before peering back up at us. “Sorry.” He speaks much louder this time. “What was I saying?”

“Something about communicating and?—”

“Right,” Coach cuts me off with a grunt. “Communicating. You’ve been doing a great job of it all season, and I’m telling you, this is going to be what sets you apart from the?—”

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