Page 44 of 40-Yard Line

“Ma’am, you don’t get to tell us to stop the game. We work for the network, not you. The game goes on. Now, please leave. Security? Escort Ms. Pinken out of the press box, please.”

She fought them the whole way, but she was locked out of the press box, screaming and kicking the entire way.

By the end of the first half, the Fire was winning 36-0.

“Well, boys? How does it feel to be up by so much?” asked Coach Osterhausen. The original players all smiled, nodding. “Good. We have a story to tell you.”

Kurt stood up, beginning by telling his teammates what actually happened to Butch. He wanted them to know. He needed them to know. They were astounded, but they also, in an odd way, understood.

“My turn now,” said Gaspar. “I need you to understand what Glenda Pinken has been doing to all of you. How many of you have been coughing lately? Short of breath? Maybe strange rashes?”

More than a dozen men raised their hands. Gaspar nodded at Doc, Riley, and Gabi, pulling the men to the side of the room.

“Here’s what you need to know.”

For twenty minutes, Gaspar explained what they were sitting in and on in the stadium. He talked about her plans to kill off players to free money for herself, he talked about what they all knew about their contracts, and he hoped they would support their efforts to stop her.

“I think we all agree to stop her, sir. Why not just let the Mustangs win?” asked someone.

“Because we want you to get your bonuses,” said Nine. “Until we can figure out a way to void the contracts, we have to do this so that you get your money. The way we’ve been playing will definitely ensure that happens.”

“Thank you,” he said, shaking his head. “Y’all don’t owe us that but thank you.”

“We still have to win,” said Kurt. “I think with these men, we can. The league is a farce, so I don’t think anyone will give a damn if they find out they’re not really our players. I just want this over with.”

“Let’s show them what we’re made of,” said Ghost.

As the team stood cheering and heading back out onto the field, Skull smirked at his old friend.

“Show ‘em what we’re made of? Who are you? Knute Rockne?”

“Bite me, asshole. Don’t get hurt, or Avery will kill me.”

“Are you kidding me?” smirked Zeke. “I’m having so much damn fun it should be illegal.”

“It is,” laughed Nine. “Keep that in mind. It is illegal.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“Hey, what is this? Open season on the press box. You can’t be in here,” said the announcer.

“I think you’re going to want us in here,” said Sly. He took a seat next to the announcer and indicated that the other man should proceed with calling the game. He opened the folders, one after another, showing the man the evidence against Glenda Pinken.

“How? How was she allowed to get away with this?” he asked.

“That’s for someone else to figure out, but this league will be done after this game. All we’re concerned with is saving those men down there and making sure that she pays for all of this.”

“What do you need?”

“Frustrations are getting the better of them,” said Ian. “They’re really starting to play dirty.”

“Starting to? Brother, they’ve been playing dirty since the minute the whistle was blown. I’d sure like to know what she paid them.”

“Not enough,” said Nine.

They watched as the Mustang’s quarterback threw another interception right into the hands of Lars. Lars began to take off, then stopped dead in his tracks.

“What’s he doing?” asked Gaspar.

---