Page 84 of Saving the Halfback

“They’re not going to go for the tie, they’re going for the two-point conversion. If they get it, they win, eight to seven. If they miss it, we win, seven to six.” Nolan’s eyes were intent on the field, and more of our team walked up to the line, watching the play that was about to unfold.

The ball was snapped, a throw was made, but before their player could catch it, Lachlan intercepted it.

“Oh, shit!” Nolan ran up to the line. “Run!” he yelled.

Everything had happened so fast, I hadn’t even seen Lachlan there. One minute the play was going through, we were about to lose, and the next the ball was in his hands as he ran down the field.

Nolan seemed just as shocked as I was. “GO GO GO GO!”

All the players ran to the sidelines and began screaming, cheering, while the other team was yelling at their guys to take Lachlan down. Our defense was right there with him, picking off players and creating a hole for Lachlan to keep running. Chase stayed with him nearly the whole way before turning and taking the last opponent. Lachlan was already halfway down the field, and it was officially clear, not a single player in his way, everyone so far back, there was no way they could catch him. He ran the rest of the length, then danced into the end zone while Coach cursed at him to stop fooling around.

Pretty sure I was going to lose my voice for how loud I was screaming. Lachlan came jogging back, and the whole team met him in the field, jumping and hollering. We had won the game. We should’ve tied, but because they got greedy and risked thetwo-point conversion, we returned it, earning their two points. We won nine-six.

29

Bailey

After the game, my parents took me and Ethan out for dinner. Ethan tried to decline, but Dad wouldn’t allow it. When we walked into Tom’s Burgers, we spotted Lachlan and his parents and little sister right away.

“Bailey!” Lachlan’s mother smiled at me. “It was such a pleasure seeing you on the field today. Did you enjoy yourself?”

Lachlan’s mother had blonde hair, ice-blue eyes, and the same freckles on her face that dotted Lachlan’s. “I did. Much different than tykes, that’s for sure.” I laughed.

“Why don’t you kids sit together?” Dad said. The parents all sat down, while Ethan, Lachlan, Grace, and I took another booth. Right away, I could hear our dads talking about the game.

“I’m starving,” I said, pushing the menu away. I already knew what I was having. Thankfully, the waitress was quick to take our food and drink orders.

“What’s Nolan doing?” I asked Lachlan.

“Not sure. He said something about reviewing footage with his dad, but he said he would be there tonight.”

“Tonight?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, the first game, uh, get-together.” Lachlan side-eyed Grace, who was listening to us intently. “I believe new players are honorary members tonight.”

“I guess I should go, then. Are you going?” I asked Ethan.

“He never goes to them—”

“Yes.” Ethan cut Lachlan off with a growl. “I’ll drive.”

Lachlan sat back with a satisfied smile. Our food took no time at all to come out. I thought the guys were talking, but I was too engrossed in my double bacon cheeseburger to even pay attention. When I finally looked up, Ethan was smiling and shaking his head as he dipped his fries in ketchup.

“Try the chipotle dip.” I pushed the dip across the table.

“The three of you eat like savages,” Grace said.

“We’re starving. All we had was some pizza before the game, Gracie Macie,” Lachlan said.

“Don’t call me that!” she grumbled in the most adorable way. It had been so long since I’d seen Grace, and she had grown a lot.

“What grade are you in?” I asked her. She looked like maybe grade five.

She lifted her chin and proudly stated, “Eight. I’m fourteen.” My heart sank and my body froze. All I could do was stare at her.

“You’re thirteen.” Lachlan bumped his elbow with hers. “You don’t turn fourteen until next year.”

“Oh my god, Lach. Next year is like a few months away. I’m in my fourteenth year!” It seemed like an argument she had made with him often.

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