Page 74 of Scored

She grinned. “It’s a good thing we’ve improved our methods since the days of dark powder and a magnifying glass.”

“Go ahead and take them. Thank you for volunteering to help me.”

“It’s a pleasure, Maeve.”

“Vee is good.”

“Virginia.”

I showed her to the door.

CHAPTER 29

Fin

“This is an opponent we know,” Coach Tilson said. “I don’t give a rat’s ass what statistics say. The Texans want to bring us down. We beat them twice and took first seed from their grasp. They want blood.”

Sitting beside Troy Dennison, I listened along with the entire team to the coach’s pep talk. He had the right amount of fire and brimstone. His excitement level could rival a church tent meeting. The thing I thought as I heard him speak was, ‘Coach, we want it. Now let’s concentrate on achieving it.’

After the fiery introduction, Coach Pratt and Coach Brown brought out film from our game last Saturday. While there were plenty of plays to praise, the Coopers hadn’t been without mistakes. There was room for improvement.

“The Bills’ defense,” Coach Pratt said, “was textbook. Their coverage was tight. That said, Houston’s is superior. They have some of the highest numbers in pass rush. Their cornerbacks work extremely well with the defensive coordinator, allowing him to come up with successful schemes without relying on heavy blitzes. You better believe they’re studying us as hard as we’re studying them. For that reason, the coaching staff has come up with some new plays. They can’t predict our next move if they’ve never seen it.”

“Now,” Coach Tilson said, “let’s concentrate on the Texans. Your coaches autopsied their game against Kansas City. Watch with us as we show you some of their best plays and where you can stop them, whether on offense or defense.”

As the morning of films ended and the players were headed to lunch, Coach Pratt called me over to him. “I want you to go see the trainers before our offensive meeting.”

“I’m cleared to play and practice, Coach.”

“Just go see them.”

Was this how Vee felt when she didn’t want to call her uncle?

Acquiescing, I said, “I’ll head over there now.”

“Graham.”

I stopped and turned back. “Yeah?”

“I know you want to be on the field. I get that hunger—hell, I still feel it. We’re going to continue to rely on Dennison, not because you can’t handle it, but because he is handling it.”

Lifting a palm, I waved him off. “I knew when I signed with the Coopers that I wasn’t first string. Do I want to play? Hell yes. Is it terrible to be on the sidelines and watch a monumental season for the Coopers?” I shook my head. “It’s not. I just want you to know that if you need me, I’ll be ready.”

“Go let the trainers check you out. Coach Garcia is going to go through the new plays during your quarterback meeting. I want you in pads during practice tomorrow and ready to execute.”

My cheeks rose as I nodded. “Yes, Coach.”

The walk from football operations to the training part of the facility was unfortunately familiar. The long hallway with a banner of each player always gave me pause. My likeness hung next to Troy’s. While we didn’t look similar, I noticed the difference in our ages. The contrast was clear.

I was getting old.

Once to the training facility, I went straight to Lacy’s office. Once again, I caught her as she was eating lunch. “Sorry to bother you.”

She shook her head and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Are you having pain?”

“No.”

Lacy tilted her head. “You just wanted to visit?”