Page 36 of Second Down Darling

Here it comes. I did the dumbthing.

At least that’s what my brother yelled into my ear for half an hour the other day. He said our mom cried when she saw the video of me jumping into a flaming building, and because the Ramirez brothers have a standing policy to kick each other’s ass if one of us makes our mama cry, I’ve got a reckoningcoming.

Coach continues, his voice taking on an almost religious quality. “I think of all the little kids who watch our games, who cheer us on. Who wear your jerseys. Who paint your numbers on their faces. They look up to you. Every one of you. So you have to be on your best behavior onandoff the field.” He pats my back. “Last weekend, I watched a video of this young man charging into a burning building to save a friend. He didn’t hesitate. Just leapt up there like some guy in an actionmovie.”

“That’s right, Ramirez! You kicked ass!” Babcockhowls.

The team starts clapping and stomping theirfeet.

“Don’t forget he saved the dog too!” someone else yells, and Coachchuckles.

“Yes, he also saved a dog. But Jake Ramirez is a prime example of how to be a role model. Now, I’m not saying you should put yourselves in danger—that’s not my message. But I am asking y’all to model his selflessness.” I’m so stunned, I could topple over with a stiff breeze. “We have a lot of ego in football. Some of it is warranted. Some isn’t. But let this be our high-water mark of character. Let us strive for greatness on and off thefield.”

Babcock, the ass, starts chanting my name—“Ra-mir-ez! Ra-mir-ez!”—and everyone joins in. It’s ridiculous. Moving, butridiculous.

My face is hot, like I’ve been scorched by thesun.

When our little powwow is over, Coach pulls me aside. “The media has been on me since they got wind of what happened. I told them you’re recovering, but could answer their questions after Saturday’sgame.”

I nod, already loathing the press conference.Lo odio.I hate thatshit.

“I didn’t realize Charlotte was Roxy’s roommate. I’m relieved you were there in time to help her.” He glances around and lowers his voice. “I almost lost my lunch when I heard Roxy’s apartment building caught on fire. I know my daughter wasn’t there when it happened, but I’m relieved to know y’all are friends. She says Charlotte is a good girl, and frankly, Roxy needs more solidfriends.”

“Charlotte is an old friend from high school.” I don’t know why I offer this information, but I always feel like I’m about to confess my darkest sins to this man for somereason.

“How’s her recovery? Roxy says she’s on themend.”

“Yes, sir. She’s doingbetter.”

“Glad to hear that.” I follow him out to the field and he turns to me. “You ready to practice? You feelinggood?”

“I got a clearance from the team doctor, and my lungs arefine.”

“That’s what I want to hear.” With a hard pat on my shoulder, he motions to the line of scrimmage where the team is setting up drills. “Get on out there. Let’s see what yougot.”

There’s a natural rhythm to playing football. An ebb and flow. A give and take. When everything clicks and the camaraderie between players starts togel.

I’ve never had thathere.

Untilnow.

For the first time since I got to Lone Star State, everything goes my way. I hit my marks and catch every ball thrown during practice. It’sexhilarating.

And I don’t know if it’s the fact that our QB is in the groove or if it’s me, but I’ll take what I canget.

I just hope I can maintain it through Saturday’s game against Kansas. Because catching a few throws during practice doesn’t mean shit if you turn into a fumbling idiot during agame.

When practice isover and I’m standing under a hot stream of water in the shower, it hits me. I wasn’t worried about Asher today. He’s with Charlotte, and I know she’d never let anything happen to him. He’s safe at home, likely wrapping her around his littlefinger.

Having that confidence put me in the right frame of mind so I could focus on football. I didn’t realize how out of whack my concentration has been untilnow.

I find myself rushing to get to my apartment. Charlie only moved in yesterday, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to have her around. She’s always been a calming force in my life, and I’m hoping we get back to a good place. That we can be friendsagain.

When I get home, I find Charlie and Roxy chatting on the couch. I barely get a greeting out before Asher charges at my legs. I let him tackle me to the ground—it’s his favorite thing todo.

“Dude, you have a future as a linebacker if you keep that up.” I scoop him into my arms as he giggles. Glancing at Charlie, I ask, “Did he behave today?” Miss Louisa watched him until this afternoon, and then Charlotte took over. I wanted her to wait until next week to give her more time to rest, but she insisted. I refused until she said Roxy would helptoo.

“He was great. We ate lunch in the park. Roxy took him and Duke for a long walk around the playground. We stopped off at… the store… so I could get some clothes. Don’t worry—he wasn’t out of my sight for a minute. Asher should be exhausted,honestly.”

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