Page 68 of Zone Protection

“Pretty funny, but I’m also thinking about how spoiled this baby is going to be. So, this means I can get some things for the baby?” I lift up the onesie again and trace my name with my finger.

“I think we should probably start getting some things here and there. My mom and I started a small list at Thanksgiving, but you and I will have to make a bigger list later for sure.”

I lay the onesie over my shoulder and move the box off the table. We’ve been having fun together, but this moment right here just brought reality crashing in. A baby is coming in months, and our world is about to change in more ways than one.

“Em, I think we need to talk about what we’re going to do. I meant what I said to you and your parents. I fully intend to stand by you so you can also accomplish your goals and dreams, but I also want to make sure we are on the same page. I know it’s uncertain right now about where I’ll be, but what are you thinking about all of this?”

She sets her fork down. “Well, I have been thinking about it, and I think it makes the most sense for me to transfer to a school near where you will be playing. I mean, it would be great if that ends up being Dallas since the University of Texas Southwestern is there and has an amazing program in my field of study. But it would be helpful to know what the other possibilities might be just so I can start thinking about what to do with school. I have to apply and get accepted into a program.”

“And I wish I knew. I think once we get through the playoffs, I’ll know who has serious interest in me, then, of course, after the combine. But my agent knows I want to stay close to home if at all possible. I just hope the Cowboys are watching and have some interest in me.”

“Okay, so I think the only thing we can do right now is just know that my path will kind of depend on where you go. If you think Dallas is a strong contender, then I’ll go ahead and get all the information for my possibilities there. Once you have a betteridea about the other options, I’ll look around. But I’ve also been thinking that it might be a smart idea for me to take a break for a year when the baby is born.” She looks down. “It’s not that I’m putting anything on hold for myself, but with you starting with a new team and us having a new baby, it might be smart to settle into that before I dive into a transfer.” She looks up at me and tilts her head. “What do you think?”

“Darlin’, I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do. So, if you think that’s the best thing for you and the baby, then I’ll support you completely. I want to make things as easy as possible for all of us. But hear me when I say, I want you with me, no matter where it is. So, anything I can do to help with school, tuition, you name it, I’m going to take care of it and you.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.” She shakes her head.

“You aren’t asking me. I’m telling you that it’s what I want.”

“Okay.” She gives me a crooked smile. “So, I suppose we’re at least on our way to having a plan now?”

I nod slowly. “I think so, as much as we can anyway.”

“All right then.”

CHAPTER

SIXTEEN

ARCHIE

Walker madeit through the semifinals, then on to the quarterfinals. While this isn’t my first playoff season, it feels different because it will be my last. Since we made it to the championship game, I’m still technically enrolled at the university, but I don’t need to attend classes. None of us do really. The school takes these types of games seriously because they bring in a lot of money.

We arrived in Miami early today. We got settled in at the hotel and watched some film before going to the stadium.

After dropping our gear in the locker room, we move out to the field. We’ll be running some drills, but we also have to do commercial shots. Like the ones you see on TV when they talk about the players and the guys are twirling balls around in front of a bunch of strobe lights in a hallway. Or at least that’s what I think it looks like, and it kind of does in real life too. Then our media coordinator told me one of the reporters from ESPN wants to interview me. It’s not uncommon for us to be interviewed before big games like this, and this season, I’ve had to do more.

There’s a lot riding on this game for me in terms of what NFL teams will be watching me. But I’m trying to soak it all in and have a good time too. This is my last collegiate game. My parents and brothers are here for the game, but I probably won’t see them until after the game tomorrow since they’re staying at a different hotel. Having them here for this means everything. I wish Emma could be here, too, but I know it’s hard for her to travel with her school schedule, and training has started for golf as well.

I see Beck and Casey in front of me. I walk to them and put them both in a headlock. “Hey, dickheads. Can you believe this? This is the tits. We’re gonna blow those Southeast fuckers away—ya feel me? Oh shit, hold up. Where’s Pitz?”

I look around and spot him on the other side of the field with Callaway and the QB coach. I put two fingers in my mouth and whistle, causing half of the team to look my way. “Pitz, get your ass over here for a minute.”

Liam runs over and behind me, jumping on my back. “You dick. I was going over a few new plays with the coach.”

I take hold of his shoulders and easily flip him off my back. I don’t let him hit the ground though. “Can’t have you getting injured before your last game as a Stallion.”

“Ow, asshole. That hurt. I don’t have pads on yet, you dick,” he says, shoving me.

I laugh at his effort to move me. “Okay, fellas. Let’s be real for a few minutes. This is my last college game. Linson, I didn’t know when I met you—what, two years ago now?—that you would become one of my best friends. You’re a hell of a player, but an even better friend. And, King, you level out Linson’s moodiness, which is why we’ve kept you around.”

They laugh.

“I’m just playin’. You would do anything for any of us, and that’s appreciated more than you know, King. We know you have our backs, no matter what, on and off the field.

“Now, Pitzy, we’ve been playing together for three seasons.You’ve been my QB, my wingman, and one of my best friends. I’m really going to miss seeing your ugly mug every day.

“Okay, enough sappy shit. Let’s bring it in.” I hold out my arms and wave them into a circle. “Come on, fuckers. Let’s do this.”

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