Page 1 of The Backup Plan

Part I

Avery’s Freshman Year

Cameron’s Sophomore Year

College football eligibility:

Year 1 of 4

ONE

Nice Ball

CAMERON

The first time he threw a football, six-year-old Cameron Porter was stung by a bee and nearly died from anaphylactic shock. Fourteen years later, the sight of his name on the depth chart at summer training camp left him choking on his own breath.

He’d earned the job of starting quarterback for the twelfth-ranked college program in the country, and his first instinct was to quit the team and disappear—just like the last quarterback did.

It was almost nine a.m., and judging by the state of his phone, the media release went out at eight. Silent mode had granted him a final hour of peace before the glowing letters blurred on the screen, message after message of congratulations and trash talk.

He should have fumbled a snap in the bowl game last year. Bowl games didn’t matter. He shouldn’t have showed off in training camp. He should have tripped on something, or missed some easy tosses, and for the love of God, he should have quit slinging those long routes for the receivers to practice on. Nice ball, Cam.

Nice ball, indeed. Football finally screwed him over. The roar in his head and the incessant alerts from his phone faded to a dull hum, like a bee buzzing in his ears as he fought back denial.

Unknown #1 8:01 AM

Is this Cameron Porter? Call me ASAP. Shelby, UND PR

Unknown #1 8:02 AM

We absolutely need to hear from you. Shelby, UND PR

Justin 8:03 AM

Congrats, buddy.

Hakeem 8:04 AM

My man. I knew it.

Unknown #2 8:04 AM

Cameron Porter, we need to talk about the press conference tomorrow. This is Pippa. I work with Shelby.

Benny 8:05 AM

You and me. Brady to Gronk, right?

Mom 8:05 AM

Sweetie! You’re on the news! Why didn’t you tell us?

Dad 8:06 AM

Exciting times! Be careful.

Mom 8:06 AM