Hendrix - Kelsey Clayton Page 0,4
make a plan.”
They both look like they want to argue against it, but thankfully they don't. It's just all a bit much to take in. I need a minute to breathe. To get a grip on my emotions. To calm my mind so I can think clearly.
THE WHOLE TEAM FILLS the locker room, pumped for the first game of the season. I pull my jersey over my head and turn to Asher. He's sitting down, staring at his helmet like it's the most mesmerizing thing he's ever seen.
“You good?”
He looks up at me and grins. “Never been better.”
I smile back at him just as Coach gets all of our attention. “All right, listen up. This is the first game of the season, and it matters more than ever. That other team is going to look at us like we're weak.” He focuses on Asher. “Like you're a refurbished player that we pulled back in from the grave.” His eyes scan the room again. “It's important that we show them just who they're dealing with. Let's show Hawthorne what it feels like to win again.”
Cheers erupt and everyone gets amped up, fist bumping Asher like they couldn't be happier that he's back. Losing him as our quarterback changed this team. We always felt like we were missing something. Now that he's right back where he belongs, it's like we can all enjoy the game again.
We all filter into the tunnel, and the announcer starts to introduce each one of us to the crowd. I hop up and down, shaking the tension from my body. This is what I love about this sport. The energy. The crowd. The need to win like I need to breathe. It's intoxicating.
“You ready?” I ask Asher, nudging him with my shoulder.
He takes a deep breath and nods. “It's now or never, right?”
“Damn right. Just enjoy it. This is the fun part.”
I turn to face him and take a couple steps backward toward the opening. The announcer starts to say my name, and the screams become deafening. Asher chuckles.
“Could they get any louder?”
Shrugging, my grin widens. “What can I say? The ladies love me.”
He laughs in response as I pull my helmet over my head and run out to join my team. I jump onto Griffin's back, and he spins me around like a child. When he puts me down, we know it's the moment we've all been waiting for.
“And now, playing for the first time in two years...” The crowd goes quiet, and the whole team goes still as we watch Asher step into view. “Let's give a big welcome back to quarterback Asher Hawthorne!”
Everyone in the stands are on their feet in an instant, cheering louder than I've ever heard in my life. He jogs out with his helmet in his hand and joins the rest of the guys—exactly where he belongs. The mood around us is electric, and I watch as Asher looks around the stadium.
We make our way over to the bench and all of our coaches. I spot Tessa and Lennon in the crowd. They both sport proud grins as they cheer along with everyone else. I point at Lennon, and she rolls her eyes playfully. When Asher follows my line of sight, he sees his girl, and all the tension he may have been holding dissipates in an instant.
He uses the fact that they're on the lowest level to his advantage and pulls himself up to kiss Tessa. The cameraman gets a perfect shot, and their lip-lock is showcased front and center on the scoreboard. The women in the crowd coo while the men egg him on with wolf whistles. As he comes back over to me, I shake my head and snicker.
“Don't judge,” he quips. “That could've been you, too, if you had just told Lennon how you felt.”
I look back over at the two women who have changed both our lives for the better. Lennon's blonde hair flows down and rests against the jersey that matches my own. Anyone with eyes can see she's gorgeous, and her boyfriend, Cade, is one lucky son of a bitch.
She must feel my eyes on her, because she pulls her attention away from Tessa and over to me. When she catches me staring, she smiles and flips me off with a laugh.
“Nah. She's happier now than I could've ever made her.” I voice the truth, regardless of how harsh it feels to admit.
He grabs one of the water bottles and hands it to