Page 232 of Tangled with the Tight End

In the fourth quarter, no one’s scoring. Both defenses show up and hold the line.

We get possession with two minutes left on the clock.

Unless the Packers make an interception or get the ball with enough time on the clock to pull an offsides kick or some other Hail Mary play, the Thunder is set to win the game.

“We have to run down the clock,” I tell Cass, not taking my eyes off the field.

“Yes, Coach Carter, we do.” She laughs at her own joke.

As I anticipated, we play a running game, and we gain some yards. It’s third and eight. We’re close enough to the end zone to make a field goal.

The Packers call their final time out. Delaney jogs over to Coach Griffin, the offensive coordinator. They exchange some quick words and then our offense huddles. My eyes are riveted on Declan. I can’t imagine what he’s feeling right now.

“I’d go for it,” I tell Cass. “They could play it safe. But if they can make a scoring play, it’s cinched.”

“I love that you know that,” she says. “They might just play it conservative and run the ball and take a field goal. That still would give us a seven point lead.”

“A lead that will disappear if the Packers make a touchdown. I think we need to take the risk.”

“You two sound like those announcers on TV,” Daisy says with a smile.

I stare at Declan as he lines up with the rest of the offensive line.

The crowd falls silent and then the ball is snapped. Delaney turns toward Linc and literally sticks the ball into his stomach like he's handing it off. I think Linc has the ball and then I realize he doesn’t.

I whisper under my breath, “Play action pass.” They’re basically faking out the Packers.

Linc acts like he has the ball and keeps running.

The linebackers see Linc and charge him.

It’s working!

Delaney still has the ball. He pulls back and looks up. My eyes flick to Declan. This is where a tight end earns his paycheck.

Declan’s pretending to block the defense, but when Delaney moves to make the pass, Declan slips off the line and runs his route. Because the defenders were distracted by Linc, there’s a hole behind Declan.

Delaney fires the ball straight into Declan’s arms. He turns and sprints toward the end zone and makes his second touchdown, clinching the win for the Thunder.

I’m on my feet, shouting and throwing my fist in the air. Cass grabs me and we jump in place, the blanket falling to our feet. Tears stream down my face. I’m flooded with emotions.

He won!

We won!

I can only watch him from a distance now.

He’s not mine.

But in my heart he’s still mine. He always will be.

I can’t imagine a day I won’t love Declan O’Connell with everything I am.

Daisy and Emberleigh, Patrick and Syd are all jumping around too.

The Jumbotron flashes an image of Declan, sweaty and smiling.

He whips off his helmet and takes a mic from someone.