Page 134 of The Backup Plan
“Hawk, if one play earlier in the game had gone better, you never would have been in overtime. We’d have been up by fourteen and maybe I wouldn’t have gotten hit, and who knows what else. You got up when the team needed you, and I’m proud of you for it.”
“Thanks, Cam.”
A few seconds later, he spotted Ethan and barreled into his side.
“Good God, man, get off me. You’re going to break your brain, if you haven’t already.”
“Hello to you too.” Cam pulled out his orange hat and plopped it on, then offered his white UND hat to Ethan. “I brought you a consolation prize, but I guess it’s a trophy now. We almost had you.”
“A buddy of mine taught me a little about fourth-quarter rallies. He said something like ‘come back.’” Ethan patted his chest and pretended to cry. “I took it to heart, man.”
“I’ll sign it for you.”
“Paws off, loser.” He pretended to knock Cam’s head. “What’s the word?”
“I’ll get a CT tomorrow and we’ll see.”
“I’m really sorry. That was a late hit. I cussed the guy down for that. We don’t play dirty.”
“Well, you don’t.”
Ethan adjusted the hat and put it on. “You going to talk about it?”
“What?”
“I know you whacked your head, but you’re not stupid.”
Cam blinked. Media and players wandered around them, seemingly oblivious to the opposing quarterbacks in friendly banter and wearing the wrong hats. “You think I should?”
“Why not? People are listening. Is this your backup?” He extended a hand and shook Archie’s. “Well-played. I’m not sure my backup could have kept his cool like you did.”
“I learned cool from this guy. Not quite sure I’ve got clutch yet.”
Cam held up his phone. “I’m only clutch when I blew the first three quarters. Arch, can you grab us a picture?”
FORTY
Postgame
AVERY
“Stay right here after the whistle,” Pippa ordered, watching the overtime clock count down. “I have to keep track of Cam and Coach Keyes while everyone smacks hands and pretends they like each other. I’ll come get you when they go to the locker room, and then it’s the press conference.”
“You should get a cute picture of Cam with Ethan. I bet they’ll hug. Write something about sportsmanship and how everyone wins in friendship or something, and post it.”
Pippa pressed her hands to her cheeks. “I kind of hate you for putting that in my head,” she said. “Shelby would lose her mind. I love it.”
Avery grinned. Until Cam’s injury in the fourth quarter, she roamed the sidelines with Pippa and took in the rush of big game from the field level, surrounded by reporters and cameras from all the major sports networks. Everything was louder and brighter, and she only had to remind herself once not to look for familiar faces on the bench. After the final whistle, she tried to catch Cam’s eye, and caught her brother’s instead.
Justin wrapped her in a sweaty hug, crushing her against his pads in the sweetest discomfort when she recognized both of her brothers in his arms. She stood on her toes to rest her head on his shoulder.
“You looked good out there, Jussy,” she whispered, falling back on the name she called him as a child. “Breaking hearts and playing ball.”
“And I’m all out of ball for the night.” He drew back and looked at her. “How’s your heart doing, Avie?”
“A little worried for Cam. Less worried for Cam and me. How’s yours?”
“Less worried for you now. Still working on me.” He put his helmet back on and knocked on the side. “But I’m ready.”