Page 41 of The Night We Met

Going pro was never the goal. But somehow, someway, this game became something more than a game. And as cheesy as it sounds, playing on a national stage sounds more intriguing every day.

While on break, I received an email from my coach. Him emailing me is nothing new. It’s how he prefers to communicate. As soon as I finish unpacking what I can I head to his office. So that’s where I am now.

I knock three times on my coach’s office door.

He looks up at the knock. “Ah. Come in Mason. Close the door please.”

I do as he says and make my way to a chair in front of his desk.

You know those moments when everything is smooth sailing in your life? You have everything. But you also have this sense of foreboding that you can’t shake no matter what. For some reason I feel that now. And it’s not a good feeling to have.

“How was your summer?” he asks by way of casual small talk.

Coach and I have always had an easy relationship. When I got scouted to play here, I did all of my research and discovered he won two national championships with his alma mater. I knew I was in good hands when I came to this school. This football program specifically. When I managed to join a fraternity, he pulled me aside and said it was good having a brother on the team. His statement stopped me, until he showed me his ring with the same crest as the one I now bore.

“It was good. I did some traveling and some relaxing.”

“That’s good…good. I wanted to talk to you about this season. I know that when you were in talks about getting drafted, you wanted to graduate first. And I100% backed you up on that. But now that it’s your senior year, I need your focus 100% on football. No distractions.”

Do you remember that sense of foreboding? My skin prickles with goosebumps. “Distractions? What do you mean by distractions? Don’t beat around the bush. What are you getting at coach?”

“Your girlfriend.”

“What about her? She’s been good for me. I haven’t gone out like I used to, I’ve been to all the conditionings that were optional. Again, what about her?”

“I need you to be completely dedicated to the game. And I can’t have my number one prospect for the draft distracted because of some girl that he’s dating.”

“I am 100% dedicated to this game. You know that. When have I been distracted? She’s not just some girl.” Now he’s really pissing me off.

“End it. Or else your dreams of playing in the NFL can disappear.”

I look over his shoulder at the practice field. Anger running through my veins. “Coach, for the longest time I used to look up to you. Idolize you as a brother if that’s what you want to hear. Not anymore. If you want to start working on a new QB for this season go ahead. I’ll walk out on this team right now if that’s what you’re getting at. But I’d take back everything you just said. I refuse to put a game that’s only temporary ahead of something that has a chance to be permanent. If you want me as your QB you will not threaten my future, whether it be my professional or personal future.” I don’t wait for him to respond. Instead I jump out of the chair I was in and yank open his office door. Slamming it closed in my exit.

Is he serious? When has an NFL draft prospect everbroken things off with their girlfriend because their coach wanted them to?

Dump Kamryn? She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Statistically, my game has gotten better since we’ve been together. Yeah I slacked off and performed like a middle schooler when we first started dating. But I worked through it. The team still won games. I led them to the National Championship for crying out loud. She pushes me to do the optional workouts, she encourages me to hang out with the team when I’d rather spend time with her. Neither of us would survive a break up.

I’m walking around campus and looking at places that have meaning to me like I’m already leaving. Do I want to play in the NFL? What college football player doesn’t dream of it? But it was never my plan though. Football was never part of that plan. Coach knew that when he was scouting me back in high school. But do I have to give up the one girl who finally reminded me how to breathe to have that?

I pull out my phone to call my mom. And she answers on the first ring.

“Hey, baby boy.”

“Hey, mama.”

“How are you? And how’s Kamryn? Do you know when she’ll be back to school?”

My parents and siblings love Kamryn. Honestly, what’s not to love?

“She’s good. She’s driving down tomorrow. And going to use the few days before school starts to get back in the swing of things.”

“That’s good. Now you know I love you. But I also know you didn’t call me just as a courtesy. Tell me what’s up,” she’s never one to beat around the bush.

Taking a cleansing breath before I explode, I recap the conversation with her. “Coach asked me to his office to talk about the draft. He also said that this season he needs me 100% dedicated, which I already am. Football is everything to me. But he also said for me to do that, I have to end things with Kamryn or he’ll make sure I don’t get drafted.” I leave out the part of me threatening to quit because she doesn’t need to know that.

My mom gasps at that last part. “Well I know none of that was ethical. And threatening you in no way is acceptable. He could lose his job for that if it ever gets out. But I have no doubt that the man is completely serious. You and Kamryn love each other. Maybe when the dust settles and you get a few years under your belt you two can find each other again.”

“Are you really suggesting that I break up with her? I’ll be so distracted that scouts won’t even consider me. Has anyone thought about what I want? Y’all are always trying to lead me in the right direction. But when I finally have something that I want forever, I can’t have it.” I’m having a tough time controlling my emotions. Give up the woman I love for a game that I’ll maybe get ten years out of if I’m lucky. And that doesn’t even include injuries. What’s ten years with a game versus a lifetime with the one I love?

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