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I jog to the center of the field and huddle with the guys

"What’s the play?" JJ asks

"Red Rabbit," I reply

"Oh hel , yeah," Henry says, clapping his hands together once

We al get into position and as JJ hikes the bal to me, I only hear silence Coach Mil er always talks to h the speaker in my helmet, so when he doesn’t, I’ out of the corner oftoward Coach with this incredible-looking guy in tow Suddenly I have the first knee proble, and I’m knocked off my feet by a linebacker--Carter and his 250 pounds I fly backward, sla around inside my helmet Ow

Where the hel is JJ? Why didn’t he protect me? This is the first time I’ve been tackled in forever With my footwork and JJ’s muscular, continent-sized body, it should never happen

"Jordan!" I hear Mo up, ripping off his hel his lip, he puts a hand on my arm Then Carter fal s down next to me too "I’m so sorry, Woods I tried to stop Why the hel were you just standing there?"

"Woods!" Coach yel s, running over "You okay?

What the hel happened, JJ? Carter--how could you be du of the season?" Coach throws his clipboard onto the ground How cheesy

"I’m fine, Coach," I say I’m not hurt, but I don’t want to stand, because I’ suit top fel off on that waterslide in Florida

I can’t believe I just got sacked Dad wil be furious when he finds out I got blindsided during a practice…

great Just what I need two days before opening game More damned stress

"My fault, Coach," JJ says He holds out a hand and quickly pul sposition

"Don’t let that happen on Friday night!" Coach shouts, pointing a finger in JJ’s face

Under my helmet, I breathe deeply JJ didn’t have to take the blame--it wasn’t his fault But he did owe me Last Saturday, I covered for hi out with Lacey and had lost track of ti out, I see Chace Crawford’s twin standing with the principal, looking concerned Crap So he sawril

He has this sandy blond hair that stands up in places and sweeps across his forehead His blue eyes remind me of a Crayola crayon, the truest blue there is, and his worn-out polo shirt and faded jeans just hang off him

You can’t buy jeans that look like that--you have to wear them out for years to make them so perfect I wonder if I could buy the else he’d wear could colad to see he’s tal er than reat tan And, oh the heavens, his body What does he do? Work out for a living?

Wait What the hell is this guy doing on my field?

I feel like I could siet my head back into practice

Luckily, the principal starts speaking, distracting me

"Coach Mil er, I’d like you to h school footbal team won the Texas state

championship last year I know it’s a bit late for a tryout, but his family just moved here and I hope you’l consider him for the team I can explain more later"

Coach nods "Thanks"

The principal disappears back into the school, to the co

Wait Did the principal just say so out foron here Tyler, with his hands stuffed deep in his pockets, toes the yard line, then glances around at the team Why’s he so nervous? For someone on a state cha around like he’s fucking Tom Brady

"So, Tyler," Coach says

"So, Tyler," Coach says

"Cal me Ty, Coach"

"Okay So Ty, what position do you play?"

"Quarterback, sir"

I take a step back, and everyone else on the teahs

The position is mine

It’s beento take it away

"Quiet!" Coach yel s He gives the tea One of those looks onna run fivequarterback An al -state quarterback"

Ty’s eyes seeround I’ve never seen a QB act like this before Most are cocky, ful of attitude Leaders I can’t iive so ood if he played for a Texas championship team Texans take their footbal seriously It’s practical y a religion down there So what’s wrong?

Wait What’s al this sympathy? Jordan Woods isn’t sympathetic I’ood backup,"

Coach says "Our captain wil run you through soh , somehow I run over to Coach Ty stretches out his hand to shake rasp his hand, I squeeze as hard as possible Gotta show hie