Page 101

It was time to take the field.

Tyler took a deep breath as the team lined up to head out of the tunnel and onto the field. The roar of the crowd was deafening, even from inside. The thrum of energy vibrated through the concrete walls.

His heart was pounding, and adrenaline chased through his veins. Time to step back into the spotlight.

The players in front of him started jogging onto the field. Tyler hesitated, doubts creeping in along with a brash urge to work up the crowd the way he normally would. Captain Fantastic, right? They wanted a show. He couldn’t back down now. With another deep breath, Tyler followed his teammates out.

The explosive din slammed into him, thousands of Cowboys fans booing and jeering as the Swells took the field under the blazing lights. Tyler scanned the sea of jerseys, the flashing cameras, the commentators pontificating from their booth. Over the loudspeaker, the announcer introduced the team.

“…and retaking the field after his dramatic heart attack last season, tight end Tyler Faaaan-tanaaa!”

A mixed chorus of cheers and boos greeted Tyler’s name. He raised one hand to the crowd, faking a cocky smirk for the cameras even though his stomach was churning.

Out of the corner of his eye, Tyler spotted the Swells’ kicker and punter warming up on the sidelines. Pretty solid odds that the next couple of hours might be his last. The team had prepared for it, putting precautions in place, but nothing was guaranteed.

Violence. He thought of Josh’s sad eyes the night they’d talked about his dad and the belt. He felt wobbly and weird as he jogged to the sidelines.

What if this went wrong? He should have told Nadia and Josh to be here. He could have flown them out, at least. What was he doing? This was insane. He’d been an idiot, thinking he could step back into the NFL after everything. Tyler blinked hard, trying to focus through the fear threatening to swallow him whole.

All for one, he told himself. One play at a time.

Tyler paced in the sidelines, glaring across at the massive Cowboys linemen currently sizing him up like meat for their grills.

“Park it, Fantana.” Coach McBride grabbed Tyler’s arm as he passed and pulled him aside. “You’re benched until we’re up by at least fourteen.”

Tyler shook his head. “Coach, come on. I’m ready.” The sidelines sucked.

“For some first-quarter yardage? No chance. Not even Jarlson is that stupid.” McBride’s frown etched deeper lines into his weathered face till his mustached drooped.

Tyler ground his teeth but nodded.

His teammates offered slaps on the back and words of encouragement as they took the field.

“Hang tight.” Duchesne shrugged as he backed onto the field. “Going to clean the kitchen before we let you start cooking.”

Tyler smiled and nodded, pride warring with frustration. As the team headed out for the kickoff, Tyler settled. Once the game started, he analyzed the plays, watching for any weaknesses in the Cowboys’ line he could exploit.

After a couple of messy possessions, the Swells intercepted a pass and started driving downfield. Bit by bit, they ground out the yards until Calvin pounded into the endzone for six.

The Cowboys responded in kind, evening the score, but the Swells’ offense was clicking now. Two more touchdowns put them up 21-7 at the half.

The cheer squad took the field to do their thing, and the Swells trotted back into the locker room feeling pretty frisky.

Grudgingly, Tyler realized the coaches had played it smart. By tucking Tyler off to the side, the coaches had hijacked everyone’s assumptions. The Cowboys had forgotten all about his triumphant return, focused instead on containing the Swells’ other offensive weapons. His moment was coming. All he had to do now was prove he deserved it.

After the second time-out of the third quarter, McBride pulled the trigger, nodding at Tyler to take the field. “Fantana, you’re up.”

Tyler stood and went to him. The Swells had the ball. Maybe he could survive this.

“Five minutes, tops.” The coach eyed him for a second. “Make ’em count.”

“Yes, sir.”

Miratto was already shuffling their way to be replaced. He gave Tyler a sympathetic grimace and thumbs-up.

“Tyler, you don’t have anything to prove. You know that, right? And for Christ’s sake, let them boys keep you safe out there.”

As Tyler stepped onto the field, the fans realized what was happening and a tidal wave of energy swept through the stadium. Even the Cowboys stopped to watch. The crowd went berserk, standing and stomping, bellowing their approval.