Page 40 of Dangerously Yours

There had always been pressure on me to be better than my father, and even better than the next Titan. I excelled both academically and athletically, and I was so close to bringing this city the championship it greatly deserved. Winning one was a team sport, and I had been unable to overcome special team blunders and defensive breakdowns. I also couldn’t overcome arrogance and greed, both of which I think doomed us earlier this year. I should have handed the ball off to Romeo, but I had wanted to be the one to make the play. My selfishness was reflected on the faces of my current teammates, and even on some of the newcomers who had watched that game and saw my cockiness for themselves.

“I can’t believe it’s training camp already,” Romeo told me as he slid his suitcase under his bed.

The two of us were bunking together for this training camp just as we had done the previous two years together. “It seems like we were just partying in the South of Fifth.”

That offseason trip had been epic. It was truly the last hurrah, or it seemed like it, because when I had returned, I ended up getting together with Lulu, and she had been my focus ever since. I hadn’t told my best friend about her yet, and it was mainly because he seemed to be the only oblivious one. It had never been because I didn’t trust him, but the time had never been right to sit him down to even try to explain. The longer Iwaited, the worse it seemed, and I knew tonight that I would need to confide in him.

“We have a team meet and greet in a few, Noah. Don’t forget about it.”

“I won’t,” I told him as I started to put away my own things. It was always weird to pack for training camp because every year, I swore I had thought of everything to last me a few weeks, but would also inevitably forget to grab something.

“Are you ready? I can wait if not?” Romeo asked me, and I shook my head.

“No, go ahead and go down without me. I’ll be there soon.”

“Sure thing,” he replied, then left the room.

I waited a few seconds to see if he would come back, but when he didn’t, I pulled out my cell phone. I quickly dialed Lulu.

“Hello. You’ve reached Lucy Davis, but I’m unable to come to the phone right now. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.”

I waited for the beep, then started recording. “Hey, I just wanted to check in with my favorite girl. Training camp has officially started, and I’m already dreading the hell out of it. I hate everything about being separated from you for so long. I can’t wait to finish the preseason, and once I’m free, I plan to make up for all of this lost time. I love you, and I will try to hit you back later. Bye!”

I had hoped to reach her because the truth was that I had no idea when I would have time to call her again. The next few weeks were going to be a grind. Unlike years past, I no longer was a sure thing to make the roster. Oh, how the mighty hadfallen. Just last year, I was cutting up with Romeo and other teammates, hazing rookies, and multitasking during meetings and film study. Now, my position was no longer a guarantee.

“I’ve received a few inquiries from teams wishing to speak with yours,”Gabriel had told me just a few days earlier.“There’s a Texas team who's ready to put down some serious draft capital for you, Noah.”

“I have a no-trade clause in my contract. Do you think they would actually cut me if I turned down any proposed deals?”I had asked him.

“There’s no way to tell for sure. The league is getting younger, and while you’re only twenty six, some of the crazy good talent entering the league is four to five years younger than you. These players also come a hell of a lot cheaper, too.”

Football was a business, just like anything else, and money was all that mattered. Sure, some teams preached wins, but the reality showed in the same win and loss column. Revenue for even the worst teams in the league continued to stream in, and my team would reap the benefits of our recent success for seasons to come. It was one of the reasons why I’d been so preoccupied over the course of the last forty-eight or so hours. Gabriel then tried to reassure me that I was a damn near lock to make the roster, but that didn’t sound as promising this season as it had in ones before it.

I knew I had to work extra hard this year in training camp, so I could prove to my coaches that I deserved to be here. I needed to not only let them know I belonged here, but that I wanted to be here just as badly. There was no “I” in team, so I put my cell phone in the drawer, grabbed my gym bag, then went to meet Romeo and the others downstairs.

When I entered the meeting room, there were so many familiar faces, including one that was familiar for a completely different reason. I eyed the veteran quarterback, and it brought me back to the day when I had heard they signed him to a significant contract. Gabriel had been assured that it was simply an insurance policy, but I suspected he could very well be my replacement. The kid smiled at me, and I turned away. I would mentor the kid, but I wouldn’t shoot the shit with him like I would my friends.

I took a seat on the opposite end of the table, and Romeo joined me. Our coach had gotten an extension during the off-season, and it was likely the reason he was all smiles. He introduced himself to those new to the team, and we were all made to go around the room and introduce ourselves. Thankful that Romeo came before me in the order, I leaned back as he spoke.

Afterward, I came next and while I normally spoke with a lot more confidence, I relayed the bare minimum, then passed it off to my left guard to continue. Once those were over and done with, our last game of the previous season was used as an example. The worst films to watch were the ones where the team lost, and none were as devastating as the conference championship last season. I watched as I threw incomplete on fourth down, essentially sending the other team to the championship game, and the rest of my team home.

Thankfully, other games were also shown, but I was still upset by the time the meetings ended. We had an early start in the morning, and I knew I needed to go all in at the gym this time. During other training camps, I did just enough to get by, but it wouldn’t be enough this time. Coach’s decision to play parts of that one game was the same as putting me on notice. I knew it,and the way he couldn’t even stand to look at me let me know that he knew it as well.

I finished up with everything, then went upstairs. I grabbed my phone and was glad to see that there was a message from Lulu.

“Hey, I’m sorry that I missed you. Leslie had a shoot this afternoon, and I left my cell in the car. I hope training camp is treating you right. I’m going to miss you, but just know that I’m pulling for you. Can’t wait to see you at the first game. I love you?—”

“Damn, is that Mrs. Davis?” Romeo asked, and I hadn’t even realized he had slipped inside the room.

“Lulu,” I corrected, then added. “And yes it is.”

“Does she often tell you that she loves you?”

“When I tell her that first, yes,” I replied.

“You did what?” He asked, then sat down and chuckled. “You’re fucking with me right now. You have to be.”

“I’m not,” I told him pointedly. “I’ve been seeing her for a few months now.”

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