Page 60 of Running
“Stay focused, men,” Coach Houston says in the locker room.
Marshall comes up to me and shows me some footage where the defender got beat or a gap opened up and we didn’t capitalize.
“So I want you to check down here first, before you go to…”
The instructions come in fast and furious, my mind assimilating all the information.
It’s a good second half, and most importantly, our solid play leads to a win. I get another 120 yards and still no interceptions, and we set up two rushing touchdowns through rapid-fire short passes to the tight end Walsh when Bailey’s covered.
We’re officially 1-0 for the season.
I’m interviewed by a couple of outlets after the game, and the locker room is a mix of guys already stripping down, coaches, and staff when I finally start undressing.
I don’t get very far into the process before Coach steps in to do the end-game pep talk. Mr. Blunt speaks too. They glance at me as he wraps up, and I know it’s my cue.
“One-Two-Three…”
“Waves,” echoes the whole locker room.
I begin taking off my pads in earnest now, but reporters are starting to fill the room. Sneaking out to the showers, I promise a few of the local journalists I’ll talk to them after I’m cleaned up and dressed.
Fast forward twenty minutes, and I’m back out in front of my locker, watching Landon hold court with reporters in another part of the room. Bailey is close by, and as his interviews wrap up, those media members slide down to me.
The questions are all football related, and nothing thatsurprises me. In the past, I’ve tried to turn on the jokey type of charm like Landon and Bailey do, but I know from my media training that my answers read best when I stick to serious responses. So it’s a boring question and answer session, but successful.
As the crowd in the locker room starts to thin out, Landon walks over to where I’m standing with a couple of the other offensive players.
“You want to walk out together? Grace is waiting in the hallway to meet me.”
Why yes, I do.
And I’m suddenly aware that now that the game is over, I’m closer to needing to navigate a decision with Grace about what’s next.
“Yeah, that sounds good.” I grab my stuff and follow as he leads us out, Carter and another offensive lineman with us too.
There’s an underground part of the stadium on the same level as the locker room that has a guarded hallway, with a large open area that families can get to with their VIP badges. That’s where Grace stands next to Carter’s girlfriend, Jessica—both of them with large grins on their faces.
Of course, my eyes go straight to Grace. Her hair is in a long, loose braid, and she has a small Waves jersey on, along with a pale blue skirt. Full team colors. Nice.
“You were so good, babe,” Jessica says to Carter, giving him a hug and a kiss.
“Hey, Gracie, great way to start the season, right?” Landon asks her as they hug as well.
While she’s in his arms, her head tilts in my direction. Her eyes change their intensity as they hit mine—like we’re sharing a secret.
Which isquiteappropriate.Don’t do anything to make Landon suspicious, I tell myself.
We all walk out of the building together, and I stay quiet, letting Landon and Grace walk ahead of me with the rest of thegroup. Still, she subtly turns her head so she can peep at me out of her right eye while it appears she’s listening to Landon talk.
Unable to resist, I wink. She seems to fight a smile and then turns her attention back to Landon.
Warmth infuses into my chest. I thought Grace may be wary of me, or at least of the conversation planned for tomorrow night. But she seems relaxed and open.
And with that awareness, a decision settles on me. An acceptance that I’m not going to give up this chance with Grace.
Almost immediately, I begin to negotiate with myself about the conditions that we could explore our interest in each other, knowing that it’s an open question whether she’ll accept them too.
Once we start reaching the cars, I say my goodbyes.
