Page 28 of Afterglow
Austin presses his hands against the side of his head. “This time, I mean it,”
I stifle a laugh. He definitely doesn’t.
Our first game of the season is away, meaning an early morning and a late night. We are travelling to Utah, which is a long trip, but the team is bubbling with a combination of excitement and nerves.
Lakewood are the defending champions so the other teams are out to get us. And as the newly appointed captain and starting quarterback, I don’t want to let anyone down.
Austin and I approach the coaches with our teammates filling the bus. The assistant coach, Megan Dawson, checks to ensure all the equipment is loaded and secure.This is her first season with us after Coach Stone retired last season.
She played football until the end of college as there wasn’t a path for her to play professionally. Ever since, she has dedicated time to building junior leagues for girls, starting in her hometown.
Everyone finds her hilarious, especially when she teases Coach Morgan behind his back. It’s our inside joke.
“Last ones here,” she says.
“Sorry. Austin is severely hungover,”
Coach Dawson laughs, a mischievous grin tugging at her mouth. “How much do you want to bet that Morgan punishes him?”
“I think I would lose that bet,”
Anxiety doesn’t mix well with large moving vehicles, so I sit in the front of the bus. Plus, it’s the best seat in the house for what is about to come.
“Jace!” Coach booms. “Why the hell are you wearing sunglasses?”
“Jesus, can you tone it down a bit?” Austin says before his eyes widen and he realises who he is talking to. “I mean…Your personality is too bright for me?”
The team burst into laughter as we watched from inside the bus.
Coach glares at him. “Get on the bus,”
“Yes, sir.”
Luckily for Austin, Owen Morgan is a big softie at heart. Don’t tell him that to his face, though; he will eat you alive. Many guys on the team look up to him. I know Jace won’t admit it, but our coach was his idol growing up. Based onthe interactions I see between Coach Morgan and Austin, I think our coach sees a lot of himself in Jace, so he has a fondness for him.
The closer we arrive at the stadium in Utah, the team’s energy levels increase tenfold. The stadium is a sea of gold and black, with the stands filled with local college students. I grin as I complete the drills on the football field. Don’t get me wrong, I love home games but being the away side is motivating. Seeing the looks on the opposing teams face and forcing the crowd into silence is the best feeling.
The warmups conclude, leaving all of us offensive players to talk strategy, planning different plays we have been working on in practice over the past month. Although Austin behaves like a kid on a sugar high, he is highly dedicated and has the best football brain. Our living room has become the place for drawing and discussing any play that appears in our heads.
The Utah Stars walk onto the field from the opposite side while I take in the profiles of the players assuming their positions. Their defensive line isn’t the best in our division, but the guys are massive, so they have size as an advantage. For us, speed and agility are our strengths. If we can execute during the game, we are on the way to victory.
The game is fast-paced and intense, while the energy in the stadium has slowly built throughout the game. We are in the final quarter, ahead by only one touchdown. Austin and I exchange a knowing look before calling out to Logan Taylor, our wide receiver. The three of us havestudied the playbook continuously over the past week, so we all know what the final play will be.
I take my position behind the huddle and scream our play. Julian snaps the ball back to me, while my other teammates provide protection. Logan acts as the decoy, opening up Austin in the end zone. I throw the ball and it leaves my hand in a spiralling motion.
With no control over the outcome, my gut tightens. My gaze never strays from my tight end, who is speeding towards the ball. I pump my fists when Jace catches it, scoring a touchdown to win us the game. The rest of the team rushes towards him, celebrating the first win of the season.
The bus ride home passes by quickly, which is usually the case after a win. Even Coach Morgan has banished the scowl from his face. The sky is pitch black when the bus pulls into campus.
Everyone shuffles off with tired and heavy bodies. I will be asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. Austin and I leave our teammates behind, driving back to our apartment. Every step pulls a new muscle I didn’t know existed. Rest cannot come sooner.
Without a care in the world, Austin and I ditch our bags in the living room. After long road trips like this, the only thing I long for is to melt into my mattress and recover. I shred my game day suit, changing into long pyjama bottoms. My eyes are flickering rapidly as I climb into bed and place my phone on the charge.
My ringtone echoes off the walls, my dad’s contact taking over the screen. Fuck me dead. The urge to rip my hair from my scalp grows as the sound continues.
Dad would know how late it is for me but apparently, he doesn’t give a shit. He wants to provide feedback—nocriticism,on my performance. It’s like my dad’s goal in life is to unravel every play like a loose thread.
I slam my finger against the red button. I don’t have the energy to answer his call. Matthew Knight can find some patience. I’m prioritising myself.
