“Thanks,” I say taking it from him and slinging it on my shoulder.
“I’m serious, Macy. When he fucks up I’m holding you to our date.” Will says with a smirk on his face as his cheeks burn red. He’s still trying to impress me even though I just shot him down.
I step past him and into the aisle, “And I’ll be ready.”
November 3, 2013
I took a few days before I called Madison to tell her about what happened with Macy. When I left Macy’s dorm I went straight to the gym and beat the shit out of the punch bag until my knuckles were raw and bloody. I would have kept going if one of the trainers hadn’t stopped me.
We went into his office where he wrapped up my hands and told me if I did that stupid shit again I was going to be benched for a game. I agreed that I wouldn’t make them bleed again. I never said I wouldn’t hit the bag again because honestly I needed to take my anger out on something. I’d prefer it be Jay’s face for what he did but I’d probably wind up dead in a ditch somewhere.
“Landon,” Madison says so groggy that I wonder what she’s high on when she answers the phone.
“You popping pills now too?” I jump right in. No point in holding back.
“What are you talking about?” She says defensively.
I huff. “A couple weeks ago your sister took your pills that Jay gave her at the party.”
“What?” Madison sounds awake now. “What do you mean pills?”
“Jay saw her at a party, he gave her the pills. He assumed it was you. Does he not know you have a twin?” I’m getting irritated.
“Landon, you know how Jay is. We barely talk.”
“No, Madison, all you do is fuck.”
That was an asshole thing to say but I’m fucking pissed that Macy took those pills. Pissed she was even involved at all. She’s too good for this shit.
November 7, 2013
Stanford, California
Cardinals vs Ducks
We’re in Stanford, California. We got in yesterday and we’ve been busy with practices and watching tapes. I’ve been studying my opponents, keeping up with my game. I’m excited as I think we all are.
“You ready, Hayes?” Colton asks as we’re getting suited up.
I nod. “You?”
“Always.”
Coach does his game day speech before we hit the field. We’re all in our zones ready to rock the Cardinals.
The first quarter of the game we don’t score. The Cardinals are up by a touchdown. Saylor is trying to hype us all up. Patting guys on the asses and slapping guys on the helmet after they run off the field.
The second quarter we’re scoreless again but the Cardinals score ten points. We’re losing seventeen to nothing ending the half.
Coach Lander yells as we all expect. Tells us to get our heads out of our asses and play the damn game.
The third quarter we still can’t seem to score. The Cardinals are able to score another six points with two field goals. The score is now twenty-three to nothing.
Cash is pissed. He’s hesitating because no one can seem to get open. This is a good and a bad thing. Cash is a monster on the field when he’s pissed off.
Finally, in the fourth quarter I get a break and Cash throws me a twenty-three yard pass and I score putting us on the board. The Cardinals follow that up with a field goal. Riley receives the punt return running it in for a sixty-five-yard touchdown getting us on the board once again. The last play we make, Jet scores with a twelve-yard catch scoring another touchdown.
It’s not enough to win us the game with the score being twenty-six to twenty.
As I’m walking to the locker room I hear Cash talking to reporters telling them that we were all hesitating and that’s something we just can’t do. He’s right we can’t. It cost us the game. It’s our first loss of the season.
November 16, 2013
Eugene, OR
Utes vs Ducks
We’re back on our home field. This week’s practices have been brutal. Coach Lander is pissed that we lost last week’s game and he’s taking it out on us. Practices and training have been extra-long barely giving me a chance to breathe let alone get any homework done.
Everyone is being quiet as we suit up for the game. I feel good about this game though and I’m hoping we’ve found our groove again.
The first quarter, Holden receives an eight-yard pass for a touchdown and then we get a field goal and the Utes come up with nothing.
The second quarter, Cash drops back into the pocket and he throws me a five yard pass for a touchdown. The Utes were able to score a touchdown as well. The score is seventeen to ten.
When we get to the locker room after the half ends, Coach Lander is in a slightly better mood seeing as we’re ahead in the game. The crowd is keeping us all upbeat after our shitty performance last week.