Page 101 of Zone Protection

When we reach the house, my family erupts in cheers. My mama is sobbing and laughing. My brothers all come up to us and congratulate us.

For the next few hours, Scott and I have a lot of conversations about what’s going to happen. It looks like I’ll get my wish andgo to Dallas. Stranger things have happened at the last minute though, so I’ll be holding my breath until that call actually comes through.

Just as it’s about to start, I talk to my friends, but honestly, I don’t even know what’s being said. It’s so loud in here, and my mind is racing.

Aiden comes up to me and puts his arm around my shoulders. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I mean, this is pretty crazy in here. I can’t even focus right now.”

“Well, I mean, you proposed to your girl today—I’m guessing on the fly—and you’re going to be getting the biggest chance of your career, so I can’t imagine why you can’t focus.”

“Okay, funny guy.” I wrap my arm around his neck and pull him in. “And, yeah, the proposal was on the fly, but I meant it. That girl is it for me.”

We both laugh, and it sounds the same.

“Oh, I had no doubt about the sincerity of the proposal, but the fact that you did it just before you walked into this madhouse was so typical Archie. You should have seen Mama. We were all standing around the kitchen, eating, and out of nowhere, she starts screaming. I thought Pops was gonna have another heart attack, and Dad belted out a, ‘Jesus Christ, Alicia.’ But when she started jumping up and down, we all ran to the window to see what she was looking at, and we all saw your ugly mug kneeling on the ground.” He hits me lightly in the chest.

“Hey, if I’m ugly, you are, too, since we look alike, dickhead.”

“No, but seriously, I’m happy for you, man. Love you.” He pulls me in for a hug.

“Love you too, Aiden. You’ll be doing this in a few months. You think you’re ready for it?”

“Fuck yes. I can’t wait to get in the league. I’m not even nervous. I’m just ready. The lottery was interesting though.Dallas didn’t get the bid, so we’ll see what happens. Scott thinks I’ll go early, so now we wait.”

“Bro, it would be so sweet if we both ended up in Dallas. You haven’t really lived here in years, so Mama would be in heaven, having all her boys here. Then add in my baby, she’d be nuts.”

“Yeah, we’ll see. I’m stoked though. But it’s Archie day today. Let’s fucking go, man!”

“Hey, Archie, it’s time. We want you to sit here in the center. Mom and Dad, you can sit on one side. Emma, you can sit on the other side.”

We all take our seats and watch the opening of the show. Minutes later, the commissioner stands at the podium. Scott is pacing the room, eyes glued to his phone, fingers moving a mile a minute.

“Archie,” he says, waving me over, nodding.

“Be right back.” I kiss Emma on the cheek, stand, and walk over to Scott.

“Okay, thanks, Jerry.” He nods at me. “Okay, it’s happening. Third pick. They’ll be calling in a few. They agreed to all of our terms, so it looks like you’re gonna be a Cowboy, like you wanted. Congratulations, Arch. Big day for you.”

He puts his hand out, and I take it in mine.

“Thank you, Scott. This is great news. I know my girl will be happy, and my mama will be over the moon. Thanks for making it happen.”

“My pleasure, buddy. Let’s go wait for that call.”

I sit back down next to Emma and my parents, and my phone starts ringing immediately. I pull it out of my front pocket, and I feel Emma’s hand land on my knee.

“Hello?”

“Archie! Coach Heimer here. How you doin’ today?”

“Yes, Coach. Doing good. Thank you.”

“Are you ready to be a Cowboy?”

“Yes, sir, I am. Thank you so much.”

“Congratulations, Archie, to you and your family. We’ll see you in Arlington tomorrow.”

---