Page 8 of Second Down Scrooge

I need to prove I’m the better player. I’ve done a few too many underhanded things, but it’s time to start turning things around. This is my chance to prove I’ve changed.

I have to do this the right way—for Mia. For Kelly.

Chase doesn’t have nearly as much to lose as I do.

So I get out onto the field and work my ass off to prove to Coach Bruce that I’m the one who deserves the starting position.

I fight like hell, and I’ll do it again tomorrow.

“You coming, Graham?” Chase asks after practice.

I glance over at him. We often go out on Thursdays after practice as a way to self-soothe after the toughest practice of the week. I miss the old Thursday night crew. We used to have a hell of a fun time going to nightclubs or sex clubs or wherever the hellwe wanted because we were a bunch of young, single pro football players.

The ladies didn’t care that I wasn’t a starter.

But then I met Kelly, and my life changed. My priorities changed. I didn’t want to go out with the guys for drinks and pussy anymore. I just wanted to be with her.

I never wanted that before her.

But I managed to fuck it all up anyway. It’s just what I do.

I shrug. “Sure.”

“What about you, Nash?” Chase asks Asher.

He nods. “I’m in.”

An hour later, I’m sitting in a booth with a beer in front of me. I’m with the other tight ends—Chase and Asher plus Justin Miller—when Justin and Chase excuse themselves to the bar to order another round.

That leaves Asher and me.

He clears his throat as he glances up at me. “Practice was good today. You think you got the edge over Morgan?”

I lift a shoulder. “I left everything out there that I had in me, so I guess it’s up to Coach Bruce and Coach Dixon now.”

He leans in. “Dixon likes you.”

I raise my brows in surprise. I think about asking him how he knows that, but it’s his girlfriend’s dad. I suppose they talk shop even outside of business hours. “Thanks, man.”

I’m not sure why the whole conversation leaves me feeling hopeful, but it does.

We have a light practice on Friday ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Ravens, and we’re done by five. I worked my ass off this week proving myself, and at the end of practice, Coach Bruce pulls me aside.

“You’re in.”

It’s two words that change my entire perspective on, well…everything.

I fought hard. I fought honestly.

And I won.

I almostneverwin that way…but I guess I also haven’t really given it much of a chance.

I’ll be starting alongside Asher this weekend.

My chest tightens as excitement courses through me.

I haven’t been this excited about something in a long time.

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