Page 23 of Missed Notes (Rixon High 5)

I didn’t particularly like the spotlight, and nothing said spotlight like the quarterback’s position. But it was working. Me and Ezra made a formidable duo. Playing together came naturally. His speed and precision down the sideline and my surprisingly accurate throwing arm meant we were 4-1. It meant I had two scholarship offers on the table and a career in college football laid out right in front of me.

All I had to do was take it.

“Ready?” Aaron called, yanking me from my reverie. I gave him a curt nod, waiting for the referee to blow his whistle. I called the play, my voice ringing across the field loud and clear. The second the whistle blew, Aaron snapped the ball with a grunted, “Hut.”

I caught it with ease, dropping back to search the field for Ezra. He was right where I expected him to be, flying downfield. My running back cut across me, feinting the pass and took off around the scrimmage while I hiked the ball. It flew like a bullet.

Clean. Precise. Tracking a trajectory right toward Ezra as he ate up the yard markers.

A couple of their defense barreled toward him as he pushed down on his knees and leaped into the air ready to catch the ball.

“Shit, he’s good,” I murmured.

He managed to duck and dodge the Tigers defensemen to make it all the way into the end zone.

“Touchdooooown,” the announcer yelled over the PA system.

Our section of the bleachers went wild, everyone on their feet, clapping and screaming. Adrenaline pumped through me, an undeniable rush of endorphins.

This…thisI loved. Whether it was the football crowd, or a crowd gathered to watch our band back in the day, I loved the thrill of performing. It wasn’t about the spotlight or the glory or even the win, it was about feeling connected for those few seconds or minutes. Being a part of something.

Without meaning to, while our team all jogged over to Ezra to celebrate, I searched our section of the bleachers for Sofia. She was on her feet with her friends and family, but she wasn’t smiling. She wasn’t even cheering.

She looked… sad.

And I knew.

I knew everything was not all right.

Not by a long shot.

* * *

“Fuck yeah.”Aaron slapped my ass as he passed me in the showers. “Three games left and we’re so damn close.”

A few of the other guys cheered but I didn’t join in. I couldn’t get Sofia’s somber expression out of my head.

I couldn’t get her out of my head period.

And I couldn’t confide in the one guy I’d always told everything to.

Well, maybe not everything. But Aaron had and always would be my best friend.

How could I tell him that a) I was having serious non-platonic thoughts about his sister and that b) I was pretty sure there was more to her meetings with the doctor this week.

The answer was, I couldn’t. He was high on life. His girl. The team’s winning streak. Sofia getting the all-clear. He was on cloud nine and I didn’t want to burst his bubble.

“Turn that frown upside down, Kandon.” He grinned. “What’s stuck up your ass?”

“Nothing. I took a couple of big hits. I’m just cranky.”

His brows knitted tight. “You’re good though, right? You don’t need checking over by Doc or anything?”

“Nah, I’ll live.”

“Thank fuck for that because we’re sneaking out later.”

“What?”

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