Page 53 of Spiral
I follow her gaze, quickly realizing that she’s looking straight at Todd Watson as he rests along the sideline. Smirking at him softly, she nods in his direction before quickly filing out of the field after her team.
The heat dwindles as the sun begins to set on Mason Field, the chilly autumn air replacing the sweltering sunlight. I haven’t left my seat once as I watch Henry expertly throw the ball across the field, run it to the end zone, and defend the ball against the opposing team.
The game is nearly over by now, and the Alabama Reds are tied with the Texas University Titans for the game. The stands are still just as full as they were at the very start, the cheers never diminishing as the players fight for their spot in the playoffs. With only a few seconds left in the game, each team lines up for what could be the final play.
“The Titans take their place at the 20-yard line, receiver Todd Watson in position. Will he score another touchdown? Here we go! The clock is at 8 seconds as quarterback Henry Anderson throws – wait, Anderson doesn’t throw the ball!”
Titans fans burst into cheers as Henry pushes past the Alabama Reds’ defensive line single handedly.
“Anderson is rushing the ball towards the end zone – will he make it?! Running back Jonah McGee following close behind. He’s crossing the 20-yard line, the Reds right on his heels… TOUCHDOWN! Anderson scores! The Titans are going to the playoffs!”
Screaming fans jump over the barricades and onto the sidelines, saturating the field in maroon and white.
I grin as Jonah and another player grab the giant jug of sports drink and pour it over Coach Bryer’s head. The entire team surrounds their coach as he shakes off the bright blue liquid, jumping and yelling with their fists in the air in celebration. The screams of the crowd reverberate through Mason Field as news crews fly onto the field with their cameras and microphones. One reporter rushes directly up to Henry, her microphone pointed out towards him.
“Henry, how does it feel to know you brought the Titans to the playoffs?” the reporter inquires, her voice booming through the speakers of Mason Field.
Henry’s flushed face appears on the big screen above us, his infectious smile carving deep dimples into his cheeks.
“It wasn’t just me,” Henry starts, gesturing towards his team. “I couldn’t have done it without every person on that field!”
“I can’t believe we pulled it off,” Todd remarks as he approaches me confidently, his helmet held against his hip.
“I know! This is a big deal.”
His sculpted cheeks appear bright red as a wide grin spreads across his lips.
“You must be good luck,” he rasps, his amber eyes meeting mine.
“Tell us, Henry – how do you plan to prepare for the first playoff game?” The reporter’s voice rumbles through the stadium, distracting me from Todd’s comment.
The chaos of the interview is just a few yards away, with reporters from every direction yelling for Henry’s attention. He opens his mouth to respond when, without warning, a modelesque woman with perfect, chocolate-colored curls and plump red lips pushes past the reporters and jumps into his arms, wrapping her legs around his hips and grasping the back of his hair.
“I’m so proud of you, baby,” Natalia purrs quickly, her magnified voice echoing through the loudspeakers as she crushes her lips to his.
Anguish and betrayal etch across my face, my pulse quickening, and a wave of dizziness starts to overpower me. The roar of the fans seems to fade entirely as an unsettling silence envelopes my mind. Overwhelmed by tunnel vision, my eyes are solely fixated on Natalia wrapped in Henry’s arms, kissing him deeply.
He lied. He’s been with her the entire time. That’s who called him when I went over to his house. That’s who he whispered to from the kitchen, where I couldn’t hear.
Tears welling in my eyes, I push past the fans crowding the sideline, racing towards the exit tunnel.
“Georgia, wait!” Todd calls, chasing after me into the dark underpass.
I stop, defeatedly, my lungs depleted, and lean my weight against the wall of the passageway. The tears flow freely onto my cheeks, but I make no attempt to hold them back.
“I’m sorry you had to see that,” Todd whispers, delicately placing his hand on my arm. “Anderson is such a dick.”
I nod, choking back tears in the quiet corridor.
“Listen, Georgia – you’re too good for him.” Todd hesitates before wrapping his arms around me softly, pulling me into his chest. “You know, if you'll let me, I’d love to take you out. Only you.”
His expression is sweet and temperate as he lifts his thumb to my cheek and gently wipes away a stray tear.
“But–” I stutter out, tears blurring my vision. “You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough,” he assures. “Enough to realize that a girl like you deserves better treatment than what that sick fuck Anderson can give you. Let me take you out – you deserve to have fun.”
I hesitate, my breaths shallow.