Page 61 of The Backup Plan

Hayden

Hey.

Cameron

Hi.

Hayden

Feel better?

Cameron

I’m fine. You?

Hayden

Peachy. That game didn’t matter. The only game that matters is against Cory in November.

That’s the rivalry. That’s the only one I can’t lose.

Cameron

You’ll be fine by then.

Hayden

Yeah. I will.

I’m glad you got that off your chest.

Cameron

This isn’t about me. You deserved an apology.

Hayden

You’re a sanctimonious ass, and you showed your true colors on Sunday. Don’t wave that bullshit about leadership in my face ever again.

Cameron

Hold on.

Hayden

Five weeks in, and you think you speak for every quarterback in college football. You’re not Cory, and you’re not Ethan, and literally no one looks up to you and your pep talks.

Cameron

I’m not trying to be them, or to make anyone look up to me. I was fired up and made things personal, and I know I shouldn’t have. I wanted to apologize for that.

Hayden

Maybe that gut reaction is who you really are. Maybe you only respect the people you call friends until you’ve got the advantage, and you milk it for all it’s worth.

And I don’t only mean the score. Shit like this will come back on you.

Cameron