Page 4 of The Backup Plan

Marshall

He only gets one swear word a month, Cam. Cory is too pure for this world.

Cameron

I am so lost.

Cory

It’s just better to not manifest all that negativity. So, since I like dogs, I will accept this change.

Hayden

Listen to this guy.

Cory

Paging @EthanEngel. He’s the other admin. We run this space to connect with other guys who are in similar situations, under similar stress. We can talk ball, but we don’t talk game plans or head-to-heads. How are you feeling, Cam?

Cameron

A little overwhelmed. My phone’s blowing up.

Marshall

You got a press conference?

Cameron

I have a bunch of messages from P.R. people but I haven’t called anyone back. I haven’t even talked to my coaches. I should talk to them first, right?

Cory

Your head coach will have an agreement with the P.R. crew about what they can do and when. They won’t set up a press conference without his approval.

Hayden

Make friends with the P.R. crew now, and they’ll be your besties. I love the P.R. girls already, and I look forward to loving them more.

Ethan

You disgust me, Hammy.

Cory

Is there a way to put Hayden on some sort of child-safe account so he can’t change the chat name anymore?

Ethan

I’ll look into it. Cam, welcome on. Ethan Engel, Tennessee.

Ethan Engel had the job Cameron dreamed of since the day the bee got him. The battered orange ball cap he wore everywhere bore the signature of the University of Tennessee’s all-time great quarterback, the legendary Peyton Manning, the man who inspired Cam and thousands of other young men to eat, sleep, and breathe football. The brim of the cap had been so thoroughly layered in fabric protection spray it had a sheen over the signature, and remained bright orange while the rest of the cap faded. Cameron, a three-star recruit from central Tennessee, was offered a scholarship that would have put him on Ethan’s team, and turned it down.

Cameron

Big fan, Ethan, nice to meet you. I grew up a Vols fan. Dad went there.

Marshall